01 June 2006

Skills and lessons...

Things I've learned, and things I've found handy:

Learned:
- Stop to check the map often. If things seem a bit different than you expected, check in concentric circles around your last known location. You're really WAY off the mark.

- Don't navigate via mosque in Istanbul.

- Don't navigate via canal in Amsterdam.

- Observe carefully. Sit there for longer than you really want to. Sooner or later, someone will complete the very action you desperately want to know how to do. Works for entering mass transit and buffet lines.

- Use small words. Go slowly. Don't be surprised when your question of "Do you have a bigger/smaller widget?" obtains a response of "We have many more items for sale over here...."

- If you can't read the menu, it's ok to just point at something else you see.


Skills to have/ things to know before you go:

- Use of chopsticks

- Riding a motorcycle. I didn't know, so got by without it. Lots of people get on, but you have to be really careful with this one.

- Compass and map reading

- Pack a black marker.

- Pack light. You don't stay in one place too long, so no one knows you're always in the same two shirts.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

1. i thought you knew how to use chopsticks! you are a CHINESE godkid after all ....

2. did the compass / map dealie w/ the canoe help? (: we're doing more of that this summer - both land and water

Anonymous said...

Hey Marcia-

Glad your back in one piece. I'm not sure how to get a hold of you. I was under the impression you'd be coming by tomorrow (6/4) but haven't heard from you. Please call my cell phone and let me know what your plan is!

KMU