Take Me to the Airport.
Flashback.Ok, I have just arrived to Guilin from Yangshuo and need to get to the airport (for the flight that will eventually be canceled). I walk to the place that has shuttles to the airport where outside a guy in his cab starts yelling at me to come over.
I show Mr. Cabbie the chinese writing that is supposed to say airport and rub my fingers together. I'm not sure that's universal sign language for "how much" but it does the job. He says $20. I of course walk away. He starts yelling and I say $15. $15 makes sense because the shuttle is $20. Mr. Cabbie agrees and I get in.
First of all I point to the meter, which already has $10 on it and say 1-5(by say I mean writing in the air). He nods and turns the meter off. The ride is something like 20 minutes but finally I see a sign that says Airport in English so at least I know we're headed the right direction.
Then we pull up to the toll booth. Mr. Cabbie pulls up so that my window is next to the booth. Toll lady says something to him, he says something to me and points to the toll lady. Clearly he expects me to pay the $10 toll. So I play the "can't speak Chinese" card to ride this out until everyone is suffering. I show the lady the paper that says airport on it, she points down the road and then starts yelling at the cabbie. Finally I pay, but I am not happy.
Unfortunately, the lowest bill in my pocket is a $10. So as soon as we arrive I review in charades with Mr. Cabbie our agreement of $15. I give him the toll receipt-$10, and I give him a $10 bill. Now in my book that adds up to $20. He plays the "I don't speak English" card, and we start going back and forth each knowing exactly what the other is saying.
One Chinese fun fact is that the Chinese people are a curious folk. So when there is something out of the norm they are instantly attracted. Well white guy arguing with cabbie just happens to fit that bill. Before you know it, there are about 20 Chinese people gathered around. And now a game of group charades. I couldn't help but be a little bit nervous, considering I am lily white in a field of um... not-so-lily white, and sure 10 Yuan is $1.20 US, but there is a principle here.
We both take our cases to the masses. I act out my version (quite well if I do say so myself) and show the group of mainly cabbies my toll receipt. Everyone gathers round. One guy looks up at me and then slaps Mr. Cabbie in the back of the head. They start arguing lightly, and another cabbie waves me on as I am free to go.
Chalk that one up under "Lily White".
posted by Travelin' D @ 6:52 PM
3 Comments:
great post! yeah! go lilly!
oh d, what are they going to do with you? so today i was looking through my journal and found a little treat you wrote for me- about how hot you are, and beautiful, etc., written in such a style as if it was I, myself, writing it. it made me laugh - especially the fact that it was entitled "d rock" and it made me miss you, and realize that I've had far too little of your irreplacable humor. i'm in california right now, visiting friends, and of course, the pacific. it's been lovely but i'll be heading back to flag soon. i found out i got into grad school, which is exciting. first almost-plan i've had in a while. it's nice. anyway, do you have an email address i can talk to you at? I'll still read these, don't get me wrong, but i'm feel a little bit like i'm in a fish tank, writing to you on here. like i need to step out in an aside and address the audience. peace, oh- my email is heathergracey@gmail. send your email to me there.
Strange... he wrote the same thing in my journal.
Of course I didn't have quite the same reaction.
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