Folks, it isn't that hard to get around here in Beijing. Do you know how to tell north from south? You're on your way. As long as you can remember that Tian An Men Square is in the center of the town, you should be good to go. What's killer is the street names: Jianguomenwai, Jianguomennei, and Chang An are the same damn street, just different sections of it. For this reason, giving directions using street names of an inexact nature can be difficult. Most directions run thus: you know what street that starts out being called Jianguomenwai Dajie? Then it's Jianguomennei, then Chang An? Well, keep going down that street past whatever it's called once it's past second ring road west, and...
I first arrived when the subway was a very short stretch that didn't connect to anything. While the subway has grown tremendously over the years, I have tended to live an inconvenient distance from any stop, and have had no real time to fuck around getting to know the system. I work seven days a week, and I don't have a lot of leisure time. If I am going somewhere, I am going to take a taxi, or ride or drive my bike, period. Thus, if you tell me something like "It's on the number ten line" this is fairly meaningless to me. Although I tell people often, "Just give me the address, don't describe the subway stop to me," people still tend to tell me the name of the local subway stop.
Marcia Sue, who is one of those China Newbies who is just SO IN LOVE with it here, invited me over for dinner. Marcia Sue is the lady who passed out drunk at a gig and was taken back to my place to recover. These are the directions she sent me: Take line ten and get off at the stop after the airport transfer stop, exit d, turn left at exit and walk down to corner and turn left.
Ok, and then what? What happens after I turn left? Will a rainbow in the sky direct me into a building? How about an apartment name, or number? Directions into the compound? Possibly an access code? Or will it be a case of "then text me and I'll get on your phone and tell the pedicab where to take you." Part of being a host is allowing the guest to get there in comfort. If subways are your thing, great. They are not mine, so please give me the courtesy of allowing ME to travel in the way that best fits my situation.
Mmm, given the choice between a crowded subway full of people spitting gobs of green phlegm and refusing to let the elderly sit in the few seats, and a fairly clean and comfortable cab, I think I'll take a cab. Just give me the name of your building and I'll be there.
