Bao'an boondocks

So yesterday after a rousing "game" of ping pong where I'm learning how to play the Chinese way yet again (and progressing, apparently) I decided that last night would be a good night to attempt to learn the buses and find wal-mart. I could see that there was a wal-mart plain as day on the map that the last foreign teacher had left, I just hadn't been able to find it yet.

So, armed with said map, my book, my ipod blaring Steven Lynch into my ears and about 300 kuai - I marched off to the bus station near my dorms. Remembering what James had said, I hopped onto the 632 and prayed that it would eventually make it's way down the giant blue that all foreigners cling to upon arriving in China. Wal-mart is useful because not only is it cheap but you can often find American products and (even more precious) American sizes.

The bus zipped around going straight and then veering left off into God knows where. I clung to my purse and tried the avoid the stares from the people on the bus, or at least the double-takes, which I actually find funny. Then, only about 10 minutes later - success! I saw that big familiar blue sign looming out in the distance. I smiled and only had to wait until the driver passed it about a quarter of a mile down the road so that I could get off and walk. I was proud. I had found what I was looking for. Something that can be very difficult for me at times......I'm very Ryouga when it comes to stuff like this.

While walking I noticed a common phenomenon in China, a group of about 30 Chinese gathered outside of a shop because a large TV is playing a movie. It's like a small, white-trash, out-door movie theater. The wide screen TV was promoting the movie Hulk with Edward Norton, whom I love, so I had no choice but to stop and watch with the rest of them. There was a grandma sitting with a teeny baby and bouncing him as she made exploding noises while his face was glued to the screen. As was everyone else's. Every once in a while a car would want to get through (on the sidewalk mind you) and would honk for us to move. People would shift positions until the car had passed and then move back to get a better view. I had an advantage due to the fact that I was taller than about half of them.

I watched about the last 20 minutes until the end of the movie and when the credits started rolling I moved on away from the rest of the group and headed for wal-mart. Inside it was clean and big and welcoming. I meandered through the aisles and up onto the different floors picking up the essentials and some things I didn't expect to find (such as a set of gouache paints and paint brushes and a double copy of Pride and Prejudice and Atonement). After paying I headed over to the star bucks for some much needed sit down time and a drink. I was greeted by the kid over the counter in English, which was a pleasant surprise. Although maybe I shouldn't have been so surprised - it was starbucks after all. I ordered a mango smoothie (I don't drink coffee) and after picking it up sat down in one of the comfy chairs. I pulled out my book and read for awhile, every now and again sipping on the fruity drink.

Around 9 I decided it was time to head home. I've been staying up too late for my own good lately (nothing to do with drinking, just doing things are the house) and I needed to sleep tonight. I wasn't exactly sure where the bus stop to get back on the 632 was so I wandered around. Using my sense of direction I know that I only needed to go East since the Wal-mart was West so I headed in the appropriate direction. Unfortunately while looking at the all signs saying which buses are available I couldn't find the 632. Even after crossing the giant foot bridge and wandering over to the correct side of the street.

I decided that no harm could come from riding the same bus that had brought me to wal-mart. Maybe they go in a circle, I thought and hopped back on the 632 which had taken me to wal-mart in the first place. I even met the girl who is an English assistant at the training center where I teach on Saturdays. As I watch the scenery pass by I realize that I am more than likely not going the correct direction, but I sit and wait patiently as more and more people get off the bus. My friend leaves and then it is just me and another Chinese dude. Finally at the last stop that he gets off, the driver turns to me and points to the door and says some random Chinese that I figure means "last stop." So I hop off the bus, a bit dejected, but no worse for the ware.

Ya'll I was in Bao'an Boondocks. I don't even know where I was. It was China ghetto with crazy shops and little mom and pop restaurants everywhere and dark alley streets. I'm going to be honest. I don't have that fear of China that they try to put into your head so that you'll be safe against muggers. This place feels cozy compared to Pontiac. So I start walking. I see a busy road ahead and make my way for it. No bus stops though, so as before I make my way in the opposite direction from which I came. I walk and walk, when I pass bus stops I check for the bus I need but with no result. I forever had hope on my side, and if all else failed I could always hail a taxi home. Those things never stop running.

I started walking towards the non-ghetto-looking side of the city, all the while passing staring faces and motor bikes that kept honking trying to get me to get on. These weren't sleazy men, they are sort of like a taxi service. You hop on the back of a bike and they'll take you where you want to go. Too bad I neither knew where I was, nor which way I wanted to go. And I wasn't about to go trusting a guy who drove along the highway on a moped with no helmet.

I walked for about an hour. Always checking the signs on the bus stops. At last I found on that had the characters for my school on it. When I checked the time I found out that it stopped running at 9:20. It was nearly 10:00. Feeling dejected I turned down the final street and hailed a cab, there was no bus, I was lost, tired and frustrated and I just longed to go home and sleep. The heavy bag holding my purchases was getting heavier by the moment and I could feel the weight of my dejection along with it.

The cab pulled over and I asked him if he knew 海滨中学。He gave me that look, like he had no idea what I'd just said. They told us in the program that if the cab driver looks like he has no clue don't get in the cab. I asked again, telling him it was a school. Then he nodded his head. I said in English "you sure?" and looked at him quizzically. He nodded again and I got in. I didn't care at the moment. He had a better idea of where I was at the moment than I did. Pride hurt and foot sore I slumped into the front seat and huddled my purse to me, my shopping bag at my feet. The cab driver got on the radio and I heard him ask about where exactly my school was. He seemed to get a confirmation and sped in the complete opposite direction of the way that I was walking. Great. Fail. Feeling even more dejected I cupped my head in my hands and watched the passing lights as we sped off into the night, maybe towards my school, maybe to the nearest brothel - who knew.

About 15 minutes later we made a turn and things were familiar. I could cry. Where had I gone. I had no idea. I was in the sticks too far from home. I felt like crying, but I held together. I guided him with points and grunting noises until we turned onto the correct street and pulled up in front of my gate. I could have kissed him. If I'd had more money I would have tipped him a whole bunch. I thank thank thanked him over and over and again and then said good bye. I think at the moment he knew my desperation and my gratefulness because he smiled. I grabbed my things and made for my room, glad to be rid of the confusing streets of China for yet another day. I collapsed in bed and thanked my lucky stars for cab drivers, for English speaking barristas, and for the small amount of Chinese that I know.