Excitement in Lima

Roaring throuugh Lima´s streets in the pre-dawn hours, we were hoping not to miss our flight. Luckily, our taxi driver seemed to be doing all he could to make up for the earlier troubles.

Our day began early with a 3:45am wakeup. We were headed to Cusco on the 6am flight and had diligently arranged the day before for a taxi pickup at 4:30am. Our ride into the city cost 50 soles ($15USD) and the hotel staff member making the arrangement assured us the return trip would cost the same. All sounded good so far.

However, when I arrived in the lobby at 4:15am to settle our bill and wait for our ride, I noticed an elderly grandfather with his two toe-headed grandsons also waiting. Sitting mutely in a post-sleep stupor, I overheard them say they had ordered their taxi for 4:20am. So when a car arrived at that time, I assumed it was theirs. Fatal mistake.

No sooner had they headed off to the airport than the person at the front desk began looking a bit worried, asking me what time I had ordered a taxi for. Telling him 4:30, I noted the clock was striking 4:35am.

In a series of semi-frantic phone calls, it became clear our taxi was on its way to the airport without us. With the hotel staff helping, we were able to arrange another taxi, which arrived at 4:45am.

Feeling a bit rushed, I responded in the affirmative when asked by the driver if he should hurry. And hurry he did. By my count, we ran 6 red lights, caught air over a dozen speed bumps and generally broke every traffic law on the books. But we got to the airport in 15 minutes, half the time usually required.

That´s when the fun began. ¨Dosciento soles, por favor,¨the driver said with a smile. Oh and he wanted 50 soles more for parking.

Clearly aware we were being scammed, we also were feeling a time crunch. Our plane was slated to board in about 10 minutes as we stood in the parking lot arguing with the taxi driver. So we paid. Unhappily.

On the bright side, we did make our plane. As the last passengers to board, we arrived just as they shut the doors.

Other than this incident, our travels have been mercifully free of excessive scams. So I guess we just have to suck it up and laugh. And remember the cardinal rule: No matter the time or situation, always negotiate taxi fares up front.