Comments on: Navigation techniques

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:56:04 +0000

I follow the cats.

In both Croatia & Puerto Rico, I followed the stray cats. They led us interesting places we would not have otherwise found, with some of the most incredible views.

In Mexico, we followed the stray dogs through some of the lesser-known Mayan ruins, and they were excellent tour guides, living right under them. In other parts of the trip in nearby cities, the dogs would sometimes follow us.

By: Ryan Brandle

Ryan Brandle — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:37:56 +0000

Hahaha, Google Maps. (Joke When I’m in a foreign place I usually don’t worry about having a map. It somehow always works out! There is a difference when you’re at home driving around a city and when you’re all alone in a place with a different culture, language and currency. At home, you can rely on all the high tech gadgetry that is around assisting us where to go. It makes it easier on us because we don’t have to use our memory as much. When we don’t have these luxuries, we have to rely on… our own brain??? What a shock. The first thing I do is get out there! The map in your mind hasn’t been built yet. You build it through experiencing the area you’re in. Get lost. Find your way back. Now that gray mist has vanished into a clear knowledge of… oh ya, I know whats over there! You’ll be amazed at how quickly your mind will build it’s mental map of an area. You just need to pay a little more attention than when you’re driving with a gps.

Luke, I agree with the landmarks and streets as a spine to stem off of. That is a great idea. Everyone’s mind works differently when processing and organizing information so find what works best for you!

By: Joel

Joel — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:18:10 +0000

If someone says “look it up on their iphone” I’m gonna be upset.

By: Luke

Luke — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:45:38 +0000

When I am in an unfamiliar town or city (which is more often than not), one of the first things I do when trying to get my bearings is normally to go for a walk around the block(s) where I am staying. This not only gives me a larger target to aim for when I am headed home (I am able to recognise the rough area of where I am staying, rather than just the front door of that guesthouse/hostel) but also gives me an idea of what the roads around the town are like (whether it is a grid pattern, a set of goats-trails which have been paved, etc.)

Next, I tend to try and find some easily recognisable landmarks, whether that is a structure or a natural landmark which is tall enough to be seen from most of the town (like a clock-tower, or a mountain/hill which stands over the town) or major streets which run through the city and can give me a “spine” to build my explorations off.

After that, it is a case of just wandering around, following my nose, getting lost, getting unlost, and generally getting an idea of what is where and how to get there. Some of the coolest things I have found, the friendliest people I have met, and the most memorable experiences I have had have all been in places I would never be able to find again (as much as I might try) which will probably never appear on any map anywhere.