Twice in under 2 weeks have we ridden in a taxi with our children.
If we thought the first time was bad (both children screaming as we held them on our laps), last night was fantastic.
Allow me to set the scene.
We are leaving a complex in Pudong at 8:30 at night. The sky is pitch black and the street is empty, save our taxi. Dave has climbed into the back seat of the taxi with L-- and S--. I have folded the stroller and am placing it into the trunk.
It doesn't fit in the trunk.
To reach this point, we had walked and taken the ferry earlier in the evening - it was an hour-long journey. It's now after bedtime, and none of us are in the mood for another hour-long walk.
We try fitting it in the front seat.
The driver is definitely not pleased, worrying that the wheel will bump the gear shift. Either way, it doesn't fit.
Worried that we're going to have to get out, to take the metro with 2 exhausted kids, carrying a heavy stroller, we decide to try the back seat.
It fits!
S-- sits on my lap in the front seat. L-- sits by herself behind the driver. Dave sits with the stroller on his lap behind the passenger seat.
Being the metacognators that we are, we rationalized this set-up on the ride home.
I wear a seat belt, and hold S-- over the seat belt. I worry about the window being open - she could easily fly right out. But I don't close it, because would I rather her slam into a plate glass window? No good options.
Dave can't hold L--, but puts his hand on her lap. We discuss how this is purely for our peace of mind, and probably not keeping her any safer. When she opens the door.
That's right.
She opened the car door.
As our taxi was barreling through the tunnel underneath the river, with no room for other cars to swerve out of the way of a falling child, her father pinned underneath a stroller and her mother unable to let go of her sister, she opened the door.
Dave was able to reach over, close the door, and securely lock it before she had a chance to fall out.
And we bit our nails the whole way home, unsure how we are going to be able to get around in this city.
2 comments:
I'm glad that you guys are having a nice, quiet transition to life in China.
That's cool.
Also, we are very excited you have gone to China, and though we are sad, we're happy for you guys.
And we're glad that L-- did not fall out of the car.
Lynne: I really think you need to write a book about your exploits in China. It's been very entertaining. Jeff and I are enjoying your blog and hope you find time to continue.
Thinking of you and hoping your transition goes smoothly!
Missy, Jeff, Lila and Aj
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