Almost thought I lost my taxi mojo today. Easiest way to get around is to take a taxi – rates are cheap, and taxi drivers knowledgeable about the places I want to go.
Today I decided to take the metro back to Dongmen Market. I wanted to try the metro, and by looking at maps, I discovered I could pick one up about 5 blocks from where I am staying. So I followed the signs, which took me through a 2 block cell phone parts shopping area, and eventually got to the metro. You pay 5 yuan, it gives you a token that you wave at a scanner as you enter, and drop in a slot on the way out. Very easy (once you’ve done it once). Metro was very new, very clean, very modern – announcements for each stop, electric maps showing you where you are, and tvs to entertain you. Three stops and there I was. There’s a lot of construction to expand the existing two lines.
Once I got done shopping, I was hot and ready to go, and it looked it was going to rain. Now so far I’ve had great luck flagging taxis. At most one or two waves at taxis, and I’ve got a ride. But today, every taxi seemed to have a passenger. I moved to a different street, and still no luck. Went back to the first street, which was a tangled traffic jam. There was also a businessman trying to get a taxi, and he wasn’t having any luck either.
I saw an empty cab in the middle of traffic, and waved at him. He saw me and I pointed at the cab. He nodded, and I waded out into the traffic jam and got in. After I gave him the address I needed, I realized I had gone native and given into the chaos of the traffic. But I got my taxi mojo working again!
I don’t know if I mentioned how crazed traffic is – red lights are optional for pedestrians and motorscooters and cars under many circumstances. I’ve seen buses go straight on red into a pedestrian crossing. But weirdly, I’m getting used to it, and to dodging mopeds coming straight at me on the sidewalk.
