As we continued our tour of Europe, we arrived--by train--in Rome. It had been a long train ride, and unfortunately for us, we arrived late at night. Now we had been warned by friends to be careful in Rome, specially at night by the main train station, as there were some dishonest taxi drivers--who would take you to a place for up to three or four time the standard price.
But we were tired--and not really that aware of much--we just wanted to get to our hotel as quickly as possible.Making us easy prey for the predatory taxi drivers. So when this fast-talking guy just grabbed our suitcases, and said to follow him to his taxi--he'll get us to our hotel---we (like hypnotized idiots) just followed him and got in his taxi.
Next thing we know he's driving us all over Rome, explaining this or that sight. And --oh brother! do you see strange stuff in certain parts of Rome late at night. Since I was the designated translator, I kept asking this guy: why was he taking us all over, that I was told that out hotel should have been no more than five minutes (by car). He calmly explained that he was showing us how different Rome is at night as compared to in the day.
Well, I answered him, that we were too tired for a late night tour, to please take us to our hotel. Finally after about an hour, we finally made it to the hotel. As we get out -- he said, that we owed him about 300 euros for the "excellent" tour he gave us, complete with commentary.
When I heard this--I was outraged! How dare you charge us for something we didn't ask for! Well--he answers: if you don't pay me then I won't give you your luggage! He said with triumph, it's your problem. So he kept the trunk of the car locked -- keeping our luggage hostage, as he tried to extort more money from us.
This was too much for me, I've traveled enough and I'm not easily intimidated. Look, my good man...I began, but he interrupted me---listen you won't get your luggage unless you pay for the tour I gave you. The heck we will, I answer. I had come up with a plan: One of our group stood in front of the taxi, to prevent him from moving or taking off with our stuff.
Another person from the group went inside the hotel and got the manager to come and talk to this taxi guy. The hotel manager and the taxi driver started to shout at each other in Italian. With the manager telling us to call the police. Listen--the manager told this guy---you have two choice: either accept the rightful price for this cab ride---or....you can go to jail---you decide!
The man finally had to admit defeat--OK, OK, they can pay me that pitiful amount that is set by the government, I guess I'll just have to continue struggling. As well you should---you crook! I shouted at him. The experience could have left a bad impression for us of Rome-- were it not for very understanding hotel manager. He advised us that the next time we visited Rome, we had to be wary and choose more carefully when we need a taxi.
