Getting Home in Shanghai, was in itself also a story… First of all, I figured I’d just catch a taxi out on the street. Wrong. After unsuccessfully trying three street intersections, different corners, and opposite sides of the road, I had absolutely no avail. All taxis were full! And there were a lot of them…probably every fifth car.
Trying to Help
Well, a lady came up to me on the busy sidewalk and motioned to a store, or I thought maybe a taxi stand. Walking towards wherever she pointed and still not really comprehending, I staggered on. She saw I didn’t fully understand and proceeded to lead me into a pharmacy type Chinese medicine shop. I could only figure that maybe they had a phone there and the helpful stranger was suggesting that I have them call me a taxi.
Well, the pharmacy staff grouped up as usual, trying to figure out what I wanted; myself meanwhile trying to figure out what I was doing there and how they could facilitate my plight. Perhaps there was some special medicine I needed and didn’t know about. The staff was earnestly trying to help me, but since the words “taxi” and “telephone” and the pantomime for telephone didn’t mean anything to them, I thanked them profusely and left, hopeful that the first helpful lady wasn’t watching as I continued down the street in search of a taxi, obviously not heeding her tip.
Next, I slipped into a Kodak shop across the way, now hip on the idea of phoning a taxi, and I patiently waited for the customer in front of me (how UnChinese) to finish her transaction. There was no phone in sight, but being a modern business venue, I thought I’d give it a shot. No go. At least however, they did comprehend me (more or less) with the help of the elder lady Chinese customer in front of me. Surprisingly, she knew more English than the young staff.
Helpful Chinese Lady
This very friendly customer knew what I wanted and decided to efficiently take the matter into her own hands. She smiled and said a few words in English (after translating to the bewildered staff for me) and led me out to the street. She was going to get me home, but I wasn’t quite sure how, as she had a small one passenger mo-ped on which she seemed to be starting up. I wasn’t certain if she intended to drive me home on it, or what, but I knew she wanted to help.
She began walking, and luckily, pushing the moped alongside as we chatted, as much as possible for two people who don’t really speak the other’s language. She had probably studied English 50 years ago or so, but the attempt and the smile in her eyes was genuine and much appreciated. She led me to a main busier street just up the block, heading in the direction I needed to go. Together, she helped me try to flag down one of many passing Santana 2000 light teal taxi’s which were all full. There were also a couple boys trying to no avail to catch a cab.
We communicated enough to know that she works and lives very near to where we stood. She teaches at the Shanghai Music Conservatory and is a piano teacher! What a lovely person. I took her name and number in hopes that Lucille could use her for the kids piano lessons in the future.
After a while it became apparent that I wasn’t going to be catching a cab for a long time. I saw a bus stop and knew that the 911 Bus went near our complex. Mentioning this, she happily and voluntarily led me to a proper bus stop up the street. She obviously was not going to leave me until she saw that I was on the way safely home. The lady was so kind and freely giving, she offered me a Yuan for the bus, in case it was 2 instead of 3 Yuan. I found another coin in my wallet and didn’t accept it, but what a very special kind offer she gave.
The bus did come, and once again I parted company with a lovely Chinese person whom I had run into haphazardly, and who made my China experience all the nicer for it.
Friday, 24 September 1999
