I just got home this evening, and in the 5 minutes between getting off the train and getting into a taxi, and then in the 1 minute it took me to get from the taxi to my house, I got yelled at. A lot.
Penny woke up at 5 this morning due to her jet-lag. Then when it would have been nap time, she was playing with a friend while I had my doctor's appointment. The train trip home would have been another good time to sleep, but that didn't happen at all. But once we arrived at the train station, the moment I put her into her stroller, she was out like a light!
I really wish Chinese train stations wouldn't have stairs, but they do. And while I didn't garner much pity going UP the stairs, people did reach out to help us going down.
Anyway. We made it out to the street, and none of the taxis wanted to take me anywhere. Some were full, some didn't stop, and some didn't want to take me when I told them my destination. And during those minutes I was hailing a cab, the lady from the newspaper stand, the man on the motorcycle, and the man selling ji dan bing (egg pancake thingies) all hounded me for having Penny out in the cold. "Well, what am I supposed to do? I'm trying to get a cab here!" (I use quotes, but there is much interpretation.)
The pancake guy started pointing at a spot on the ground. I nodded. He pointed again. I asked him, "What do you mean?" He meant that if I put Penny beside his cart, it will block the wind. The newspaper stand lady chimed in, "Yes, and there aren't so many cars rushing by. It's better back here."
I took them up on it and then hailed the very next cab.
Once we found our way through the maze to my apartment (more on that later), and we got out.
There were a few people milling around, and once I got Penny situated, I turned around to face.... a donkey. I must have looked surprised (I was), and a man standing near me leaned towards me and yelled, "LU!" (DONKEY!) Yes, yes indeed.
Between the donkey cart and my house I had to cross one boardwalk (long story) and then walk inside my apartment. It takes about 1 minutes. But right as I went to cross the boardwalk, a tiny old man in a Mao suit started yelling at me about how Penny was going to be cold. "Yes," I agreed, "And we're almost home. We'll be inside in just a second. We're about to go in." He didn't think I understood him, so he kept going, but now adding gestures to make sure I knew. Cold, yes. Baby sleeping, yes. Shiver shiver, brrrr, yes. Cover with coat, yes. Yes, I know. I tried to explain more, and a younger guy walking buy just laughed at us.
It's a funny place sometimes.
6 comments:
Very funny post! I miss that place! :)
I've noticed that even in very tropical climate its important to bundle up babies- at least in Taiwan.... I love your description, I can just picture it all. Can you remind us about which town and province you are in and all that other important info?
What an awesome story. Can't wait for the "more on that later"!
Sorry about the question on the last post. Hadn't read this one yet. You just added a couple things to my list of phrases my kids need to know: "I'm fine thanks," and "I'm plenty warm thanks." I'm glad mine will all be able to talk! (Not that anyone will listen.) I am loving all your descriptions and stories. Thanks for posting!
Oh, Chelsea, how funny! I feel like I kind of understand. There were a lot of Chinese grandparents at our old apartment complex taking care of their grandkids while their kids went to school at Purdue. I had the kids playing outside in the rain one day. I always did that as a kid and it was FUN. One of the old Chinese grandpas came out and did the exact same thing as the last man did except I had no intention of bringing my kids inside and he did not approve. He kept shaking his head and wagging his finger at me. I do not speak Chinese and he did not speak English but I could tell what he was trying to say.
How interesting to note culture differences!
You guys sound like you're doing great! Love hearing about your adventures!
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