I’ve taken the metro a lot in the past few days, while conducting what I’m now calling The House Search of All House Searches.
(I am so exhausted right now, Crayton isn’t even laughing at my jokes. Is it wrong to try and come up with a joke with the words “guten tag”?)
Anyway, even though the metro is generally hot and crowded, you can’t beat the two-peso (roughly 14-cent) price. There are a few weird things I’ve noticed though…
1. On the escalators: A stranger will stand next to you on the same step, even if it’s not crowded. (I’m like: Personal space? Yes? No?) Also, no one asks anyone to move over, even if they’re in a hurry. In New York, you stand on the right and let people pass on the left. This is generally the etiquette here, but if someone’s standing on the left — therefore blocking traffic on the escalator — no one asks them to move. Instead, you walk up and stand right behind them and hope they eventually step aside. Odd, no?
2. During rush hour: Throw them ‘bows. Seriously. When the train comes, everyone crowds for the doors. As soon as the doors open — because they don’t stay open for long — everyone elbows each other to get in and it’s perfectly acceptable. (Or seems that way.) This is why I always ride in the women-and-children-only car. I LOVE the women-and-children-only car. During rush hour I always find seats, and it’s quiet and I feel like a queen. Except for all the hot air blowing in my face from the open windows.
3. On exiting at your stop: Get up before the train stops, and stand as close to the doors as possible. As soon as the doors open, rush out as quickly as possible, because other people will be trying to rush their way in. (Remember the ‘bows thing?)
There aren’t any elevators in the subway, and sometimes the escalators are broken, so if you can’t walk very well you’re outta luck. I guess elderly people just stay home or take taxis. On that note, I need to buy a pair of comfortable shoes.