I have quickly picked up the phrase "wo ist..." or "where is..." during my first few days here in Berlin. There is nothing like a confused American in a highly populated, foreign city, and I am that American (though I have my fellow bewildered peers with me). "The South's" closest form of public transportation is the bus (MATA, MARTA, etc) and let's be honest, what young female wants to ride the Memphis, TN bus alone at midnight?
Well in Berlin, I feel safe riding the bus, subway, taxi, you name it no matter what time it is; however, my feeling of security is annihilated by my feeling of complete confusion. Have you even taken a gander at Berlin's public transportation map? There is the S-Bahn 1, S2, S3, S46, S75 (to name a few)...the U-bahn 1 through 9 with an U55 thrown into the mix...then you have trams with numbers, buses with numbers, and taxis with tariffs. I like the think of the "S & U Map" as an Etch-and-Sketch that a crafty toddler created.
I can say with great pride that I can confidently make the 25 minute voyage from my apartment to the IES Center; although, it is only a 10 minute walk to the S1, which then literally drops me on top of my destination. I could take the U-Bahn and change rails halfway, but I have not attempted this daunting task yet--I figure I should follow the Asheville School motto: "If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late. If you are late, you missed the train." I really don't want to miss a train (or subway for that matter).
I am sure as time passes the map will make more sense, the places will become more familiar, and I will become more confident. As of right now, I am still the confused American who gets lost, asks "wo ist...", loses her balance on the subway trains, and makes frequent stops to check her map. But at least I am in good company!
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