un-easy rider

we had a wonderful dinner out the other night. charles had a savoury thai beef salad, and i enjoyed a spectacular plate of mussels in white wine and lime. we shared a tuna steak. it was the first time we had visited this restaurant and we will DEFINITELY be going back.

and yesterday i was in bangkok. had another really good, short visit. nearly got run over though, totally my own fault. i was trying to cross a four lane highway where there wasn't a proper crosswalk (if it sounds like i was jaywalking, you are getting closer to the truth), and i was focusing on the red light ahead praying that it would stay red and therefore the cars in the three lanes farthest from me stationary. i stepped out into the street and was nearly struck by a car innocently driving along. fortunately, i am a mother whose children had reflux/were perennially vomitting, and those reflexes kicked in, allowing me to jump back to safety. but i could have been really hurt and it was totally my own fault.

and then there was this annoying little runt of a taxi driver that thought he could charge me an exorbitant fare. the taxis have meters for a reason. the taxi driver saw me and swerved over three lanes of traffic to screetch to a halt. i opened the door and said "airport, meter please." i didn't get in, because you don't get in until you have agreed on either price or to meter or not.

he says, 300 baht including tolls.

i mean really, do i look that stupid? i must because i am sure he meant it.

get serious, 300?

300 baht. very cheap price for you.

very large amounts of bull, you mean.

no thanks, i say and shut the door.

now, i am in a hurry to catch this flight. i can't miss this flight. but my frugal blake training does not allow me to get ripped off. normally i would get to the airport the way i leave it, by bus, but i am in a hurry. so i am relying on taxi drivers. and it is making me itch in the hot polluted sun to think i might have to get ripped off to make my flight instead of sticking it out until i get my honest driver.

please don't think i am making a big deal out of nothing. i do know that b100 is not a substantial amount of money, i know that they need the money, and that 100 baht doesn't make a difference to me while it buys them a meal, etc, because i tip very generously. but i need the good service first.

the next taxi shakes his head at me the minute the magic word meter pops out of my mouth.

and time is ticking along.

finally, i get a taxi driver that agrees to the meter, and i get to the airport and including tolls, i have paid b185. even though the driver drops me off at the wrong terminal, i am so pleased that i got here without being ripped off that i give him a b120 tip.

i really love bangkok. it is a city i will spend more time in one day. in may, charles and i are going to go for a weekend and do the ever romantic "well-woman" and "well-man" checkups at one of the hospitals there. i predict a hot weekend: i'll be feeling all amorous after my mammogram, and nothing makes a man feel cuddlier than walking out of a prostrate exam.

but it is something to look forward to. and getting the better of renegade taxi drivers who try to take me for an overpriced ride.

Comments

[Tracey (TJ)]

Dear Tess,

I must admit it has been some months since I logged on to read your blog and what a pleasure it has been to read. You are such an incredible woman and I am full of admiration for the way you write so openly and for the way you approach all of life's challenges thrown your way.

I have loved browsing through the photos of Jasper, Carys, Sela and big brother Sebastian. I can't help but comment on their eyebrows - have the trips been to the beautician I wonder, they all have the most incredible, perfectly shaped eyebrows framing those beautiful eyes of theirs.

It saddened me when I read of your fear for the children's health and development. Ofcourse you want only the best for them Tess, but the love that surrounds them is so evident and a life surrounded by love will be a good life.

Thank you for sharing so much. You are often in my thoughts.
Love, TJ xx

[Lioness]

Hi Tess, I've tried answering your email (to your new address) both through hotmail and gmail and it's not going anywhere, trouble in paradise? So I'll do it here for now, vaguely, don't want to bring ugliness into the House At Pooh Corner. Thank you, really. (I don't suppose he has a blog?) I read every single one of your posts but, not having children and not being infertile and not wanting to keep saying "gorgeous babies, GORGEOUS babies" - not that you'd mind, I'd just feel a bit daft if that was the whole of my contribution - I feel I should just read and keep my silence. But I suppose it's equally daft to not comment for those reasons, T. already kicked my ass over it. You are a very welcome habit of mine anyway, all 6 of you. And yes, GORGEOUS BABIES!!! And lovely husband and Tess as well.