Rikshaw Hustle

Susie and I met for drinks at our favorite Brazilian Bar, Ipanema. Marcello, the doe - eyed bartender has a sweet spot for me, so he uncorked the expensive chilled bottle of white (not for single glasses) and then insisted I finish it. We ordered my favorite dish there - the incredible grilled steak with black beans, white rice, yucca powder and the silver dollar patatas. Amazing, and we always adore the Brazilian attention. A friendly group.

Then I was hopping downtown to see Catie and we couldn't find a cab so we saw a rickshaw with a fit looking guy ringing his bell. We travelled from 47th to 15th - bumping along, screaming because it is so much fun to be buzzed in the back of a rickshaw on 5th avenue!

But then ... we got the tourist hustle! This ride apparently was going to cost us $50! This lack of clarity about the cost of rickshaws these days ...

We got it down to $25.