Having read my previous post (you did didn't you?) you know I'm in a bad mood. I no longer want help from any Chinese. None. Fuck off, I'll figure it out myself.
Yea right.
No sooner had I got my bag am I in need of assistance. Or rather a taxi ride. I step out of the terminal and a man asks me "Taxi?" and I answer yes. I show him a slip of paper that has the Nikko Hotel's address on it. He indicates he can do the trip for 80 RMB ($ 10). I had been told to expect to pay 150 RMB. In my currently stung financial situation I accept. God I'm a cheap bastard. And, in the Chinese's extremely polite fasion he takes my bag and begins dragging it to a line of cars.
He doesn't stop.
We are walking and walking and walking. Through the parking lot. Across a huge street. Toward a row of 3rd world looking apartment complexes. I'm starting to get nervous. I stop twice and ask where are we going? I'm not feeling polite and I don't act polite. The guy keeps urging me on and I start sizing him up.
What am I going to have to do to to get out of this situation?
What if we end up in a secluded area and he has some help there to shake me down?
Would these soldier looking guys come to my aid if... Nope they just left.
I'm tense and I'm ready to fight.
I didn't have to worry (although I still was at this point). This guy was just trying to make a buck outside the system. He had a car parked amongst some busses that he drove me to the hotel in. He just wasn't a part of the official taxi grid. None of this was realized at the time mind you. But I did figgure it out on the way to the hotel. Hell, the guy even told me to relax.
"Grrr" he said clenching his teeth and fists, mimicing my body language.
"Is OK, OK" he assured me.
I was still ready to pound him if necessary.
The thing is; that's China. Nobody follows the rules, nobody. Its in the way they drive, the way they work, the way they treat you. Everything! Every situation is unique and to be treated in a way appropriate for the desired outcome. It puts a whole new light on this communism thing.
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2 comments:
hey Adrian,
Your dad and I are reading this together. We were ready for the ferocious pounding of the man stealing your luggage and luring you into a dark alley, where upon his friends would jump you.
Dennis was ready to send in heavy ordance.
Keep us posted guy. Love you and miss you.
mary and dennis
Glad your getting wary. Keep your hand on your wallet, buddy.
PS your URL spells "experiment" incorrectly. sorry...
I miss you. Good to see this blog up.
Love, Lynn
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