Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves. -- Henry David Thoreau
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| Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
You Are Here
If I'm in a big mall you will usually at some point find me in front of one of those maps with the "You Are Here" marker. Thank goodness that they tell me where I am when I am reading one of those things as the reason why I'm there at the map in the first place is that I don't know where I am. That's the case with most big places where I find myself attempting to navigate unfamiliar territory.
When in Manhattan if you are unfamiliar with the city you might want to run across some "You Are Here" markers now and then. A smartphone or some other device with GPS tracking can be of help. Just having a map might not be helpful to anyone challenged by map reading, but a map is certainly a good thing to have if you don't know where you are or where you are going.
This post could have been done for "X" as well--as in "X marks the spot"-- but then again there are rarely any X's to be found on the city streets just as there aren't often the display maps on the street with the "You Are Here" designation. I guess this is where the guides as described in my "W" post might come in handy.
And while we are on the subject of "You Are Here" we might consider where we are in this 7th Annual Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. This is the letter "Y" post which means there is only one more post left in my series about Manhattan. I hope you enjoyed following this series as much as I enjoyed compiling it. And I hope you had a great time if you too blogged through the alphabet with the many others who did the same.
Yes, you are here near the end of the Challenge, but there are still the A to Z events ahead like the Reflections post and the A to Z Road Trip. You can read about all of it by continuing to follow the A to Z Challenge Blog where all the details will be provided.
Tomorrow I will conclude my series with my post for Z. Wanna guess what it will be? Something famous in Manhattan perhaps? And then on Sunday May 1st I will have another post for the Battle of the Bands. This one will be a bit of a surprise with a bit of a twist. I'll include my entry for Question of the Month in this post as well. Hope you'll join me for both upcoming posts!
Do you ever refer to "You Are Here" maps? How are you about finding your way when you get lost? What is the first thing you do when you feel lost?
My Lee, this month has gone by quickly, yes, Y already and yet another challenge is drawing to it's conclusion. Really enjoyed the experience as I have the past six times.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week-end.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, another great ride!
DeleteLee
I love the You Are Here markers! They're so helpful. I tend to get lost frequently...but sometimes I get lost on purpose because I discover so much when I get lost. I end up finding new routes to take too.
ReplyDeleteY was a tough letter, I think. Will look forward to what you have to offer for Z tomorrow...
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, I sometimes enjoy trying to lose myself in order to see what new things I can discover. Same ol' same ol' eventually just is a boring routine.
DeleteLee
You mean after the "uh oh!"? I always ask David how we're going to get out of the place and get unlost. :) We eventually get out of the pickle and back on track. Sometimes that involves finding a place to stop and ask directions. Never try that en route back from Corpus Christi, though. You'll find yourself back in Corpus Christi. haha
ReplyDelete"You Are Here" maps are great and, yes, I use them when they are available.
Have a blessed day!
Suzanne, I'm rarely lost for long when I feel lost. But sometimes I end up in a different place than I expected to.
DeleteLee
I don't have a smart phone w/ GPS so I have to write stuff down by hand and consult actual maps...either paper road atlases or Google Maps. I have used the 'you are here' in shopping malls, and occasionally on trails if there is one.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, I'm not sure how my smart phone works because I'm too dumb. I do love looking at my road atlas though I rarely use it anymore for actually finding things.
DeleteLee
If it weren't for the map app on my phone, I'd be lost often.
ReplyDeleteIn big malls, I track down those signs immediately.
Alex, both are good for getting us where we want to go.
DeleteLee
Lost or not. Those 'you are here' maps come in handy. Not only do they show you where you are, but potentially show you where you want to go.
ReplyDeleteWhat? Only one more day to go? Where did this month go?
I'm looking forward to the reflections post.
Oh, hang, on... Malls. Yes, I get lost in those. I try not to go in them, but sometimes its inevitable. I get lost in the one in Norwich too.
ReplyDeleteJemima Pett (from Norwich)
I usually end up in front of those 'You are here' maps sooner or later, anywhere I go...
ReplyDeleteThe church is beautiful!! Just love stained glass!
Nice quote by Thoreau. I look for "You are here" maps wherever they may be because inevitably I'll be lost or want to find something;-) In absence of a handy map or familiar landmark I don't mind asking for directions. Otherwise I just wing it and eventually find my way:-) Occasionally, the sun is a big help too.
ReplyDeleteYou've had a fantastic theme! I hope to catch up with any posts I missed.
I've used You are here maps in malls and when driving long distances.
ReplyDelete~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
I have fallen behind so playing catch up. I am actually quite good with directions. I love studying maps and I have looked at those maps with the you are here on them. Now, if someone told me to go south for 2 miles and then turn west...I would be lost but if you told me to go for a couple of miles until you see a big Boulder and then turn left, I would find it.
ReplyDeleteLike Birgit, my sense of direction is terrible but I can read a map. It would be great to have some of those "You are Here" posters on the streets of big cities. When I get lost, I try to follow my instincts, but if that fails I'll ask for directions. Service stations are good sources, if you can find one.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe it's almost over. I'm skipping the BOTB this time; blogger burnout! :P Plus I don't like blogging on the weekends.Hubby, dogs and the yard all need attention. Catch up with you next week, for sure.
I love the Thoreau quote, thanks for putting it up Arlee! I don't know what I'd do without those markers in malls ...
ReplyDeleteOn the road, I use hard copy maps to get a general sense of direction ... can't use my gps on my phone - too tricky.
Lee, I usually have a good sense of direction and know where I am in relationship to heading back to my car for instance. However, if I become confused then I first calm down and look around to get a feel of where I am. Usually that works and if not, I ask for directions from someone nearby.
ReplyDelete