Not Fat Albert, sorry to burst your bubble there. Okay, so here's the next installment in my series of posts detailing the initial week of my semester in France! Topic: getting lost abroad (womp womp).
Sorry to disappoint, but I must sadly report that my positively crummy sense of direction seems to have degenerated in the time that I've been here. Despite having a clearly marked map each time I've gotten lost thus far, I've still ended up in a place I didn't intend to be (on the way to school, on the way to the market, on the way home by tramway….you get the picture). I must state that i am extremely grateful for God's protection over me in these situations, for though I make light of it, getting lost can really be quite frightening. Now, if others of you studying abroad or traveling in a foreign country likewise don't possess the talent of knowing how to get from one place to another in a sensible manner, I implore you to take note of these helpful tips:
1) Before departing for your destination, look up Mapquest directions and take a picture with your phone/download from the Internet. The step-by-step format can be used as a back-up in case reading a map proves too difficult while walking simultaneously (this tactic has been successful in many situations)
2) Always keep a record of important phrases in the language of the country you're in that could help you out of a sticky sitch:
a. "Excuse me, do I turn right or left?"
b. "Excuse me, where am I in comparison to this place?"
c. "Excuse me, you seem to know where you're going. Could you please pass some of your sense of direction over to me?" (alright, maybe this one's impractical)
3) Pay attention to landmarks (ex: the color of the buildings you pass, the names of the stores, etc).
4) Always keep da popo on speed dial. Worst-case scenario, you get hopelessly lost to the point of tears and need them to come pick you up. Luckily, I've never been THIS lost before, but ya never know so just as a precaution.
Keep in mind also that you've gotta be wary of who you ask for directions. I typically ask older ladies or gentlemen with canes and pets who seem kindly and trustworthy, but even grandmas can be secret martial arts experts or super sketch in certain ways so just be on guard. I suppose the best advice is to really try not to get lost period (and assuming most people in the world are better with directions than I, hopefully that's not too difficult)!
I'm slowly finding my bearings and learning my way around, but I have the feeling it'll take most of the semester to really understand where I'm going most of the time. Please therefore keep praying for me and wishing me luck as I navigate around Montpellier!
À tout à l'heure,
Mari
No comments:
Post a Comment