THE MIDDLE EAST & EUROPEAN SERIES PT1
AMMAN, JORDAN
Getting off the beaten path you are sure to run into an issue or two and my travels were no different. In certain cases I always try and remain calm but never out of control. It’s important when you have someone trying to take advantage that you make it clear what they are doing and that it’s wrong. Sometimes their aim is to intimidate you enough so you just go ahead and agree to whatever it is they want from you.
THE TWO TAXI DRIVERS WERE NEARLY GOING AT EACH OTHER
I arrived in Amman, Jordan after my very relaxing flight from Bangkok where I had the luxury of an entire row to myself. Unfortunately, I was a too late for the main bus down to Petra so I headed to the local bus station where I immediately attracted the attention of the local taxi drivers.
WHERE IS JORDAN?
Taking no sh*t from taxi drivers in Jordan
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
After a bit of a shouting match as to who was going to take me I had to get a price agreed. It’s a 4 hour drive so I didn’t anticipate it to be cheap but I did managed to get one of them down to $35 but had a feeling it was too good to be true.
As the shouting continued, I decided to jump into the taxi and double check the price once we had left. I was sure the driver wouldn’t bring it up until we were in the middle of the desert by which I would have no open but to continue.
Check the video I couldn’t be clearer.
“$35, ok!” I told him. It was important I didn’t imply that it was a question and rather I was confirming something I already knew.
“Yes $35 and a little more” He said, keen to avoid the conversation.
“NO! $35 OR NO.”
Check the video I couldn’t be clearer.
A LITTLE MORE
He kept saying a little more but when he wasn’t willing to put a figure on it (he eventually said £60), I decided enough was enough. I would have paid ‘a little more’ like $5 to $10 but who defines “a little more.
I’m all for principles when I travel and if I feel someone is trying to take advantage then I’m out. Sorry it’s like a flick of a switch, I can’t help and can be a little highly strung in these scenarios but too many times do I hear of friends getting scammed and it almost putting them off the idea of travelling solo again.
BACK TO THE STATION
So the driver turned the car and headed back to the bus station. In all fairness he wasn’t rude about but at the end of the day he wasn’t trying to rip me off. Can only imagine his embarrassment when he bumped into the other taxi driver back at the station!
Taking no sh*t from taxi drivers in Jordan
RELATED READ: A NAKED SWEDE AND ANGKOR WAT
FRIENDLY
I ended up getting the bus which was due to leave in 5 minutes for the next 2 hours but eventually arrived at Petra. Again, I found the passengers and bus driver to be very friendly, he was even nice enough to drop the tourist off at my hotel!
Taking no sh*t from taxi drivers in Jordan
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s always important to stand your own, I have been in this position many times and would quite happily go at it with someone if that’s was it led to. It isn’t what I want but principles mean a lot when I travel and do I just let someone walk all over me when they try and take advantage? I’ll make it clear that these are few and far between and the locals are nearly always very friendly!
NEXT UP
Petra, an absolute delight and one of my favourite wonders! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
99/229
This is episode 1 of The Middle East & European Series, click to explore more.
