Jun 28, 2005 - Crossing the border: Manzhouli to Chita

The Chinese drive like they queue - with an utter disregard for any road rules and a determination never to let anyone get in front of them. It must be something genetic because even swimming laps in the pool at Harbin's Modern Hotel I had to keep swerving from other swimmers crossing my path. So when my taxi in Manzhouli was rear-ended it came as little surprise - frankly, I was amazed it had taken this long for an accident to happen. I was sharing the cab with Alexander, a 23-year old Russian guy from Chita, and his older Chinese friend...