Today’s blog post comes to us from Texas Lutheran University student & API blogger Audrey West. She’s studying abroad with us this semester in Seville, Spain.
Walking around the streets of Spain is no joke to a foreigner.
One wrong turn or just even sightseeing can end up with you lost, wandering around trying to find the place you are staying at. In this day and age someone always has their phone out ready to use the GPS to find the way to go. However, what happens if you lose your phone, it dies, or simply you do not have access to WIFI?
The answer is that maps are your friend.
Also, I know for one that I can not remember street names at all. So, a trick I use is to remember landmarks, even the odd ones. Is there a weird eatery near the street to turn on for your host family? Is there a main landmark near your residencia to locate on a map? The possibilities are endless however I recommend it at all times. It can really help you in the long run.
I am living proof that it works because I made it back to my host family before dinner tonight. My friends and I knew the location in where we were at. However, we had no clue how to make it back to our homes. With the help of the map in the street, as well as the main Cathedral as a guide, we were able to make it to more familiar surroundings in no time. If landmarks or maps do not work for you, do not be afraid to ask a local for directions.
This is not just for the city that you are studying in. It’s also important for when you are traveling in a new city.
While in Paris, my friend and I were trying to find our way back to our
hostel from across town. We ended up finding a map for the train system, made our way to the central train, and then made our way down to our hostel. It only took around 30 minutes to get home and imagine if we didn’t use our resources, we could have been walking around for hours.
Most importantly please stay safe at all times. Safe Travels to All!
