We like taxis...

The word has come officially... our request to purchase a vehicle was denied "for many diverse reasons..." Since we are now business people and making many trips out of town to research possible business ventures, we had come to the conclusion that it might be more convenient, economical, and professional to have our own little van. Taking the bus when I'm traveling by myself is not really a problem and you sometimes get to have some good conversations. It's just that I have been traveling almost once a week which gets pretty tiring. Plus, the bus is just not good with the kids. It's a long trip, there are numerous unexpected delays, it's freezing cold, it's crowded, there are people getting sick in the aisles, etc.

Since I've already done the research on the vans, I thought I would post a pic for you all... These little minivans are everywhere in China. You can buy a brand new, top of the line one for about $5000. You can get a used one for pennies. They get about 42mpg and you can get them fixed everywhere. This particular brand, Wuling, is a GM subsidiary and supposed to be one of the best. The negatives were that they have a tiny engine and that there are no safety features in an accident. Of course there is a new highway all the way out to where we usually go, so you don't have to go up and over the pass anymore. So I wasn't worried about the small engine. And I figured that my defensive driving instead of placing our trust in the hands of strangers that may or may not have ever driven before would nullify the lack of air bags.

In the grand scheme of things it's no big deal. We debated back and forth whether having our own transport was a need or an extravagance. I never really knew for sure... Plan B will be just to rent one whenever the whole family is going out of town. Of course on Tuesday morning when I'm putting on all of my long underwear and gearing myself up for the long bus ride I might be more bitter about it.......