Metro Musings

Santiago Metro cars (above) and routes (below)

Recently, I have had the opportunity to spend quite a lot of time on the Metro as I have been running here, there and everywhere to obtain and properly legalize documents for our adoption. The following are my recent observations:

• If traveling on the Metro during rush hour, the only hope for finding standing room which also allows for breathing room is to walk to the very end of the line and get on the very last car. Apparently people don't want to expend the extra energy to walk that far, but in my opinion it is worth the walk to not have my nose squished against the glass of the train door (and the rest of my body squished against a bunch of strangers!)
• If traveling on the Metro during rush hour but personally in no particular hurry, it is best to step off the car at the Tobalaba bus stop and sit down on an available seat outside the train until the huge mass of hurried people make their way up the stairs/escalator. There is no way to rush a herd of elephants and there is the possibility of being trampled by them! It is important to note, however, that you should join the back of the line BEFORE the next train arrives or you could be sitting forever ...
• If there are seats available on line 4 of the Metro, make a mental note that there were designed for Chilean-sized people, not American-sized people.
• If there are no seats available, the next best option is anywhere there is a surface to lean upon (the rear doors, etc.) That way you don't necessarily need a pole to grab onto.
• If you do grab onto a pole, which is usually the case, remember to carry hand sanitizer. It will make you feel much better, especially if your journey happens to take you for a bite to eat somewhere!
• And finally, if you are carrying a bag on the Metro make sure that you carry it in front of you and try to keep a hand on it at all times. Also be aware that if you happen to be a young attractive single teacher carrying your BIP card in the front pocket of your jeans, it is possible to be pickpocketed without your realizing it. (I threw that last one in for fun, since this happened to Isabel's kindergarten teacher last week!)