Each time I take the subway, I feel as though I’ve been caught in a tornado, like Dorothy Gale from “The Wizard of Oz.” As the ground begins to move and shake, objects darken and blur, and an ominous, growling rumble sounds throughout the tunnel. But just as quickly as it started, all the chaos suddenly comes to an abrupt halt and I find myself in a completely new setting.
But instead of Munchkin Land, I explore the Taipei 101, Munich University and even the Universal CityWalk. Whether it be the bustling German U-Bahn, Taipei MRT or even the LA Metrolink, subway systems are gateways to adventure, and although many see them as just ways to get to work, they are so much more. We use the LA rail system to explore this massive city we live in, but very few realize that the real adventure lies on the subway tracks themselves.
Around the world, stations are essentially galleries for the unique, vibrant murals that dance across the underground walls, and if you’ve got a hankering for an apple pastry or are in need of a trim, Munich stations often have bakeries and the Taipei MRT almost always has a tiny barbershop by the entrance.
Tightly-packed trains sometimes resemble tins of sardines, but that’s when all the interesting characters come out. From the two cheeky German kids I took a photo with and a Michigan-based artist studying Taiwanese culture I met, each silver car is a microcosm of the city you’re in. You shouldn’t approach random strangers, but if you look carefully, every passenger could be the subject of a HONY (Humans of New York, a Facebook page dedicated to showcasing unique New Yorkers) photo.
Dorothy and I don’t have very much in common, and I certainly have never encountered flying monkeys or a cowardly lion. I don’t even own a pair of ruby slippers, but our lives do overlap in one way: After my adventures in Taiwan and Germany, just as Dorothy had her Yellow Brick Road, I have my LA Metro Gold Line to lead me back home (namely, the Del Mar station in Pasadena).
TCHS School Newspaper