Bus Ride

Periodically, here in Nanjing, I get on a bus just to see where it goes. I usually ride it to the end of the line or until I get to a place where I want to get off. Then I get off go across the street and ride the same bus number back. Only once did that not work. One evening, a couple of months ago, I got on my most frequently used bus #52 but I was a little tired, I was catching the bus at an unusual place for me and you guessed it, I got on the bus going in the opposite direction.

When I realized I wasn't recognizing anything, I thought no problem and got off the bus went across the street. After I had walked several blocks in both direction I realized there wasn't a bus stop for #52 going in the other direction. Then I remembered that when I looked at the map of the bus route, on the bus, that it makes a loop and heads back to where it started.

Again, although I was a little disconcerted, I thought no problem I will walk to the end of the loop and find the return bus. Remember that I mentioned I was tired. Well as it got darker and colder I realized I did not know how to find out where the bus route went; since the map on the bus was written in Chinese characters. Even though I was somewhat familiar with the area, because a friend had taken me here to show me where I could shop for things, I didn't know it well enough to navigate in the dark.

Obviously I found my way back to my apartment, since I am writing this. But I had to do the one thing an American male hates to do. I had to admit I was lost and I called a Chinese teacher friend of mine, , whose English is good and who would know how to direct me. At last, something I tried that evening worked and she directed me to the nearest subway station where I could find a bus to take me back to campus.

Then just as I approached a bus stop and could see the Metro station sign, I looked up and saw the 52. So I said what the heck got on, the bus made the loop and took me home. It only took to two extra hours of walking in the cold and dark but I finally got back.

Buses In China

From Vehicle CN 1

Traffic jam from a buses point of view.

From Vehicle CN 1

Bus schedule for a supermarket bus line.