London Town Navigation

Getting off the underground carrying just under a ton in baggage I looked around for the third member of our team. Normally looking for a smug man in a v-neck t-shirt is enough. Unfortunately, there were about 6 such men and wearing tight shorts to boot. "Oh London, as a cultural beacon of humanity you could do better." It took a few moments to find Hans and his v-neck grinning like he just inherited a million dollars. I was grateful to see so that I could unload a bag on him.

I missed a pivotal event as we walked to our bed and breakfast in that it was the first and last time Hans knew where he was going.

Over the last 24 hours I have found that after an hour of walking down random streets it really helps Hans find his way if you stop and ask a local for directions. Otherwise he will walk you confidently in circles. You will realize this is happening after you almost say, "I'm getting sick of all these striking abbeys and cathedrals," and at the same time you realize they are all named Westminster, and perhaps are the very same cathedral.

Not to say that I have a mutant power that allows me navigate the twisted London streets without error (Teaser: My mutant power is much different, a little less useful, and perhaps I will share it with you someday). Rather, the city of London kindly places a large map at the occasional interval of every 10 feet or so. This has given me a strong edge when it comes to navigation.

Roberta, who isn't afraid to use a map still encounters some challenges. When she holds a map, she tends reorient it often until it is spinning in her hands like pizza dough. When the map,comes to a stop she has on occasion started giving me directions to the place from whence we came.

I call the spinning method "girl style".

She calls me an ass.