e in Reno, Nevada, (planes are forbidden to land in Ecotopia) William must find a way to get to the border of Ecotopia and the United States. This is hard to do, because the taxi drivers all seem to deny him the ride. Finally, he finds one driver that will take him there, with the promise of double the fare and twenty-five percent tip. The author makes it clear that some American citizens, especially the ones that live near Ecotopia, are afraid even to even step foot near the border.
             When William enters Ecotopia he is in amazement. He describes the frontier as "marked by a picturesquely weathered wooden fence, with a large gate." He was greeted by two guards who searched him and made him give up his gun. They stated that his gun would not be needed because "Ecotopian streets are quite safe, by day or night." (7) They also handed him a booklet called Ecotopia Explains. The guards made sure to tell him that he must watch his words while he writes.
             Next, he took a ride on the Ecotopian train system. Their train system was unlike anything the type of train that Americans were familiar with. It was constructed with huge timbers. It was described as something that "might pass in America as a ski chalet." (7) It even had fireplaces in the waiting rooms! There were restaurants and a room that looked like it could have been used for dances. The trains only had two or three cars, but they ran about every hour.
             The greatest difference was that the Ecotopian trains did not run on railways, they operate on a magnetic suspension and propulsion, which allows a smooth ride. Inside the cars, there are no seats. The carpet w
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