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Reflections on a Wandering Life.....
Friday, February 24, 2006
Just got off the night train from Wuhan this morning. As usual, the black market taxi drivers were on the prowl. Three of them this morning. If you get off a plane or train in Beijing, and someone walks up to you and says, "Taxi?" the answer is "No." Bu yao! Say it firmly, then keep walking until you get to the regular taxi line. Black market taxi drivers will charge you several times the market value. One "black taxi" driver at the airport wanted me to pay 400 some RMB for a ride that costs 65-75 on the meter. By the way, if you are accosted by a "black taxi" driver, don't ask them how much they want. I did it because I was curious about how much they were taking people for. But you really shouldn't. It's a signal that you are willing to bargain, and they will stick to you like glue. Those guys aren't stupid. But they're hoping you are. If you make it clear that you aren't going to bite, they will leave you alone.
So why would anyone want to hire a black market taxi? If you are a millionaire, and money is no object, you can get a ride without having to wait in line. The taxi line was a bit long this am. Next time I come into the Beijing West train station, I think I am going to cross over the bridge to the other side, and try to catch a ride from the guys who are dropping people off. A bit more walking, but it might save some time.
Yesterday afternoon, we walked around the campus of Wuhan University. It was interesting to see the "Minguo" (Republican period) architecture. The Republican period denotes the period beginning with the downfall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, when China became the Republic of China. The Minguo period ended with the Communist Revolution of 1949, except on Taiwan, the official name of which (according to Taiwan) is Zhonghua Minguo (Republic of China).
The campus has several "mountains," and is divided into several gardens, such as Cherry Blossom Garden, Plum Garden, Maple Garden, and Laurel Garden. Although it will no doubt be prettier when the leaves start coming on the trees, it is a very scenic campus.
So why would anyone want to hire a black market taxi? If you are a millionaire, and money is no object, you can get a ride without having to wait in line. The taxi line was a bit long this am. Next time I come into the Beijing West train station, I think I am going to cross over the bridge to the other side, and try to catch a ride from the guys who are dropping people off. A bit more walking, but it might save some time.
Yesterday afternoon, we walked around the campus of Wuhan University. It was interesting to see the "Minguo" (Republican period) architecture. The Republican period denotes the period beginning with the downfall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, when China became the Republic of China. The Minguo period ended with the Communist Revolution of 1949, except on Taiwan, the official name of which (according to Taiwan) is Zhonghua Minguo (Republic of China).The campus has several "mountains," and is divided into several gardens, such as Cherry Blossom Garden, Plum Garden, Maple Garden, and Laurel Garden. Although it will no doubt be prettier when the leaves start coming on the trees, it is a very scenic campus.
