Oh man, I practically ran to the internet cafe to document this atrocity...before I get to it, not much to report on except I picked up a bit of a cold. The black mucous I'm producing producing from the pollution is not helping I suspect - I've taken the lead of some natives here and am wearing a surgical mask as I move about outside. Anyways, rested up yesterday, worked on the paper, got good nights sleep...
Leaving work today I jump in a cap outside the hospital. Pre-arranging a fare is a good idea - or else you may be taken for a ride to who knows where. My cabbie didn't speak any english, didn't understand the pre-arrangment concept, and so I just said "meter", he nodded and we were off.
I'm gazing outside, watching the people, cows and monkeys, when I notice the beeping of the cab meter is rather rapid...beep (fare goes up, 2 seconds later) beep (fare goes up, 2 seconds later)...I look at the cabbie. Look at his hands...and he's making the fare go up over and over by flicking the wind-shield wiper switch towards him. I wonder if this is his first time, as it was pretty f*in obvious.
So I say something and point to his hand...as I reach to pull up on the lever to let him know he's been had, he immediately pushes some button next to him and its disengaged. He goes, "no, see!" He's pulling up on the lever and the fare stays the same...I'm like, "no, you disengaged the mechanism!" I'm not sure who is the bigger jerk...him for cheating or me for screaming
"disengaged" and "mechanism" to someone who doesn't speak english.
Anyways, I figure, no big whoop, probably was like 50 cents extra and I'm almost at my destination. Then I couldn't believe my ears...I hear the same rapid beeping and he's doing it again! I'm like, dude, are you serious? I mean really...I just called you out. This time I'm quicker, reach and grab the lever and pull it...and the fare relaibly goes up. Ha!
Flustered, the cabbie mutters some apologies and turns off the meter all together, which was at 250 rupees (should've been about half that in reality). When we get to my spot, I say "one-fifty" which I figure is more than fair. He says, "no, two-fifty!" I give him the 150 and leave...
Two useful tips for any Nepali cab drivers who happen to be reading this and partake in such crookery. One - if you'de like to increase your chance of success, try turning off the beeping sound. And two - don't do it again once you're caught! Sheesh...
In other news I've moved my plan to go trekking up a week and will ;eave this Sunday for the mountains with the son of my host family (an expert sherpa!), and 2 other americans, for 7 days. Its going to be sweet escaping the thick, black syrupy air of Kathmandu.
Its been 5 days since I've been in Nepal and haven't had the runs (although I had lunch a couple hours ago and don't feel too good...we'll see).
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cab drivers are the same all over the world i guess, although some are more obviously "crooky"...
ReplyDeletelol that's hilarious. at least you were able to pay him what you wanted. one time a cabbie threatened to beat us up in nyc when we didn't want to pay his elevated fare.
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