Finding our way around without a map book

People don’t seem to use maps anymore. Not since the invention of the GPS.

I remember when owning a map book – and of course having the skill to read it – was compulsory for those travelling the highways and byways of the country. And even more so for the people travelling the roads less travelled.

Today, with the click of a button, the GPS or map app will tell you exactly which lane to take, where to turn, how far you still have to go, how far you’ve already travelled, every single tourist attraction and filling station on the way, and goodness knows what else.

It even knows exactly what time you’ll be arriving at your destination.

I was good at reading maps. My father, on the other hand, was a disaster.

His general sense of direction is so seriously lacking that the only direction he can find with any amount of certainty is up. When it comes to the four cardinal directions he is as clueless as a tumbler in freefall.

Even getting left and right correct is a 50-50 shot with him.

I remember many years ago, on a trip to deliver some goods in Edenvale, my father did the “navigating”.

“Left here, right there, no, the other right … okay just go round the block… and yes, now we should be safely in West Berlin…”

Needless to say, we got even more lost on the way back. A trail of breadcrumbs would have been a better bet.

I was reminded of this a while back when the one that wears the pants called from the mall. Apparently, her car had been stolen.

Are you sure, I asked. Not a good question to ask a semi-hysterical victim.

The longer we spoke, the more apparent it became that she could just be looking in the wrong spot. After all, the mall is riddled with entrances and using the wrong exit, could lead to confusion.

Fortunately, thanks to the SMS trail courtesy of the bank, I figured out exactly where she had been shopping.

Retracing her steps for her, she quickly found her car, safe and sound where she had left it.

Danie Toerien

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.