Lost in a strange land
By 2timothy
@2timothy (794)
Philippines
February 22, 2010 5:27am CST
I got a few pennies and a phone number but don't know where I am. It will be dark soon and even if I could call my host, I cannot tell them where I was since I cannot read the street names which are all symbols to me... Ever been lost in a place not knowing the local language, how did you find your way home?
2 people like this
5 responses
@OrangJuice (687)
• China
23 Feb 10
It sounds bad, Timothy! Is it true or just imagination?
Anyway, I never lost, because I seldom go to strange places.
But I think in your situation, you can still call your host, at least s/he can communicate with you smoothly. And you can also spell or describe the road's name even if you don't know how to read it.
Anyway, lost and cannot speak local lauguage is so awful! Hope we are never in that situation forever
Anyway, I never lost, because I seldom go to strange places.
But I think in your situation, you can still call your host, at least s/he can communicate with you smoothly. And you can also spell or describe the road's name even if you don't know how to read it.
Anyway, lost and cannot speak local lauguage is so awful! Hope we are never in that situation forever3 people like this
@OrangJuice (687)
• China
24 Feb 10
Hi, Timothy, I'm sorry for my opinion! But anyway, it's awful!
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
22 Feb 10
I was traveling in Bulgaria. Maps showed my language and the local streets were shown in a different alphabet. I got lost and it was impossible for me to find my way. In the end I came to the river and followed it into the town. In a coastal town I got lost again but found my way eventually. I got on fine with the language in Romania because it has the same alphabet as my mother tongue language.
3 people like this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
26 Feb 10
2timothy,
If you are unfamiliar or do not know exactly where you are when you are lost, then I would not advocate that you call your host.
I rarely have any problem in this area as most of my travels are fully arranged and should there be I will usually walk into a local bank or tourist bureau who will have informative staff to help.
I will usually not use the police's help until it is the last resort or the place is really remote.
@2timothy (794)
• Philippines
4 Mar 10
It's just a question to your response. I didn't notice anyone in uniform during my tour. I can only recall one incident when we were going through the immigration office on our way into Singapore from Malaysia. An officer scolded (heard in the entire large room) a tourist for taking pictures inside the office. I sympathize with the tourist for what happened. Although it was posted at the gate not to take pictures (maybe for security reasons), some people do not have the habit to read all that is posted for the following reasons: 1) Everyplace and everything is a new experience to a tourist and they take pictures to capture the moment, 2) People don't read and notice everything posted when they are in a hurry and with so much luggage to attend to. 3) A tourist is in lost mode most of the time because every place is new and is constantly looking for directions.
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
3 Mar 10
2timothy,
What happened to you with the police in Singapore?
I am unsure if your allegations has something to do with your recent unpleasant experience with the law enforcers there.
But, as far as I know, they are one of the most helpful and reliable uniform enforcers in the world.
Anyway, let's here more from you then.
Take care.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Feb 10
hi2 timothy y ou intrigue me how did you finally get to your host?;
I was in baha california with my hubby and son and we did get lost and we did not know much Spanish but the first police officer we saw we stopped and praise by the man was bilingual. so did you find someone who was also bilingual and helped you find your way to your host? do tell us.
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@2timothy (794)
• Philippines
25 Feb 10
Looking for a police officer is a good idea but seldom do I notice any during my travels. One way is with some body language get a passerby to talk to the host on the phone about our location. I don't know if it is possible for the host to call the phone company to locate the call. The last alternative was to call the emergency number and ask for help. Of course, that means you got to find a phone first. Fortunately, my first option was effective.
1 person likes this
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
22 Feb 10
I haven't been lost somewhere that I didn't know the language, but I was lost in Chicago one time! I knew which was was EAst and which was WEst and south so I started in the direction I knew I needed to travel until I found something familiar! It was a very long walk!!
