I’ve never really been interested in maps. And therein lies my problem with navigation. I’ll be the first to admit that I am ‘directionally challenged’. And quite frankly I’ve never made any effort to learn primarily because I’ve managed very well to circumvent the problem by asking questions (lots of questions) befriending someone who was map-oriented, or just plain ole calling a taxi whenever needed. Truth be told though, while living abroad, I was constantly lost. But you know what? By the time I left I knew every nook and cranny, knew where all the out-of-the-way shops, groceries, cafes were. And most importantly the local bars and ‘liming’ spots. So there! There’s some value in being ‘directionally challenged’.

But recently maps have engaged my interest. It has finally hit me how vast and extensive this world is and I want to see as much of it as I possibly can. Realising at the same time, however, that I need to temper my expectations, for at my age, it may not be entirely possible. Case in point, a few years ago I spent one whole month travelling Australia. My family and I drove over 1,000 miles across the Kimberley, hiked, swam in a different gorge almost every day, walked the stretch of the Bungle Bungle, and much more. At the end of it all, the journey represented just a bit more than a scratch on the surface of Australia, let alone the rest of the world.

Rather than let this get me down, I made a pact to continue my quest. I have a feeling though due to some financial limitations, I may need to depend on ‘National Geographic’ and lots of reading, to help complete my bucket list.

But apart from their functional value, to me maps are synonymous with adventure, excitement and wonder. What about you?