The average human can probably run up to 10 miles per hour. The average Ball State student in China can run much faster, when it’s absolutely necessary. And problems escalate very quickly if you’re running late.

The effectiveness of the Shanghai Metro Authority continues to amaze our group to this day. Trains arrive frequently, on time, and without problems. As the elite eight descended the escalator down into the special Metro station created for the Expo they realized a problem. It was almost 10:30 PM, or 22:30, and many metro lines begin to cease operations around this time. Could the team make it to the transfer station before the last train left? Some quick calculations revealed that the Americans had a fighting chance. They could make it, with exactly 3 minutes to spare.

Rushing frantically to the ticket counter one of the members stepped up to collect fare money. His fingers flew over the touch-friendly ticket vending machine. Wads of cash and coins were inserted into the machine, just one more yuan to hit 40. OUT OF SERVICE. What was going on? The machine suddenly spit back 15 yuan in coins. Where is our cash? What happened? A quick trip to the service counter and a phone called is made. Two minutes pass by and the money pops out.  Repeat ticket process on machine 3, success. To the trains.

Transcending deeper into the underground of Shanghai the group went to the platform for line nine. Soon, the all too familiar sound of an approaching train creeps into the station. “WAIT!” Dominic shouts out from across the platform. “We have the wrong train!” “What?” “Are you sure?” “I’m sure! We want to go the other way” replies Dom. They sprint to escalator and down onto the other side of the platform. Next train in 4 minutes.

Once onboard, the train abruptly comes to a dead stop in the middle of the tunnel. “Guy’s it’s going to be close, we might have to run,” comments one of the eight.

Line nine pulls into Yishan Road right at 22:31. Debarking from the train the group heads for the stairs. Three escalators later and everyone reaches the main exit only to discover that this station isn’t really a transfer station at all. In oder to transfer trains you must go above ground, walk a long way down a covered pathway, transverse up more stairs, go down two escalators, and then finally turn

a  corner to get to the platform. Pandaemonium sets in as the group runs the course. Some get left behind. Scores of young Asian students follow closely in pursuit of the Americans.

The stronger members of the group arrive first at the station. No train. Did they miss it? Is it still coming? A quick glance at a TV monitor breaths a sign of relief into the group. The final train still has two minutes until its arrival. The last of the group emerges from below. Next stop, Cheifeng Road. 

Photography by Kevin Grazioli