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| MarcusStrapp |
Normally I take taxis between the airports or rail stations and client sites when working abroad. Time is precious. Sometimes though, like today, the job goes really well and I finish early. With time on my side, I much prefer to explore the local transport systems.
Today the installation at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel went as smooth as silk. It was the second system I've supplied so they didn't even require training. Lots of time to potter around Brussels on busses and the Metro. The Christmas market was fabulous. All in all a very good day, even if a very very long one.
Am I the only one who prefers busses, trams and trains to Taxis when abroad?
| 1 Dec 09, 12:40 AM leSalaud UK(DG), 2 yrs  |
Nope. I had the luck to be based in Freiburg for 6 months around this time 6 years ago. The easiest way to get around was by tram and/or bus,and the system was brilliant. It was even possible to get out of town to the bottom of the Schauinsland cable car using tram and bus. I managed for 3 months without a car. Mind you the thing I did like when I went to Belgium was being able to pay for your taxi ride with a Visa card... | ||||
| 1 Dec 09, 7:47 AM wonderer UK, 5 yrs |
No. Taxi travel is often unsocial and lacks opportunities for people watching and cultural engagement compared to public transport. (Same applies in this country, and to most uses of private cars). Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/posts/226772/ | ||||
| 1 Dec 09, 10:18 AM MarcusStrapp UK(CB), 7 yrs |
Nice to hear I am not the only one. Funny thing, this time when I reached the university and proffered the Visa card, the taxi driver just shook his head. What was really weird though was that the front of his Ford Galaxy had more computing power that the Challenger space shuttle. GPS, LCD displays and a wireless laptop open on the passenger seat. Just had enough Euros to scrape together the fare. I expect them not to take credit cards in Edinburgh (well they do but they invariably make a fuss about it), But Brussels kinds of surprised me.
Once again glad I'm not the only public transport people watching geek. There is also that small sense of achievement when working out the various little quirks and differences in the local services (are tickets bought on board or in the news agents? Are there day passes etc etc. Perhaps that's just me?
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| 1 Dec 09, 1:19 PM crystaltips UK(S), 5 yrs |
They take credit cards in taxis in Copenhagen but you are supposed to show them before the journey begins. The Metro is way more fun though. | ||||
| 1 Dec 09, 10:10 PM stormywaters PT, 4 yrs |
Oh I am very into that. It is like having the card for the autoroute tolls in France and poncing past all the people queing at the pay toll booths. Pure ego food. Yum. My real dream is being swept up to the steps of my private jet, no security, no check in, no fucking nought, just driven straight there, up the steps and off. Global warming? What global warming. My object all sublime... | ||||
| 27 Dec 09, 10:16 AM Scribbles UK(RH), 4 yrs |
Also rather fun is a vaporetto in Venice when the other passengers are in office clothes. (Although Venetian water taxis are good for those Fellini moments... I imagine, having not actually seen any Fellini) | ||||
| 27 Dec 09, 10:32 AM MarcusStrapp UK(CB), 7 yrs |
Yes, the water busses are great and much better value than the water taxis that pounce and try to scam you when you arrive!
The @Fetish_Photo_Album A free and private flickr group for IC members to share dirty pictures! | ||||
| 29 Dec 09, 2:21 AM DancesWithPussycats UK(TW), 7 yrs |
When you are really feeling wrecked after a long flight it is delicious to sink into a taxi/limo and let them spirit you to your home or hotel. Otherwise I love trams for exploring a city, and buses, and undergrounds, and tuk tuks, and bicycles and mopeds, and just plain walking. International man of mystery |
