Sense of direction or the lack of it

Some men pride themselves for their sense of direction, some are so proud that they would probably put it on their visiting cards and then there are those who just rely on google maps/wikimapia and modern technology. I belong to the last category. To tell you the truth I have very poor sense of direction. It takes me at least 4 - 5 trips before I am remotely aware of the area that I am in. No wait! I would be lying if I said that. I would actually require 10 - 15 trips before I am confident about my way. Cities confuse me. I lose my sense of direction. The streets look same, landmarks keep changing, total mess. And then there are those million traffic rules (which of course no one follows in India... I try to and fail miserably)

Women on the other hand usually don't harp about their sense of direction, though they are generally pretty good at it. They also have a habit of asking for directions when they sense that something doesn't seem right. Men, I guess are not comfortable doing so. I too am a little uncomfortable asking for directions. When alone, I have spent a lot of time driving/roaming all over the place, expecting to find the destination miraculously, in spite of the fact that I know I have no clue as to where I am. But usually, I end up asking for directions sooner or later.

My Dad on the other hand has a weird way of asking for directions. He does everything possible to get us lost. Firstly, he'll not ask for directions properly on the phone before leaving home. He basically looks out for the closest place he knows, when directions are being given and then completely filters out the rest of the information. On reaching the place, he is clueless and his standard dialogue is, "Yahan se aagey kuch to bola tha!". He'll then conveniently blame me for not being responsible enough to hear the directions. Anyways, to maintain "peace and harmony", my usual response is, "Hmmm...". We then stop and ask for directions. After a lot of , "haan! achcha to aagey jaake left", "ok! aagey se right kya?", "kya? 2 signal chodke teesre pe right?", he'll turn to me and say, "Kuch nahi samjha kya bola, tu seedha chal!"

Me, on the other hand, is a directionless fool on a different level. I am not comfortable going to a new place before finding out each and every turn and corner on the internet. If I haven't done research, I am usually very restless, irritable and basically a pain. Ask me to take you to a place I know and you'll mostly reach without any problems. Sitting beside me and directing me is not an easy job either. Very few  people have successfully done it. You cannot tell me to take a turn when we are at the turn. I must be informed at least a 100 metres ahead. Statements such as, "We should have taken that turn" after crossing the turn is a definite no - no! It is more difficult driving with women sitting beside because they cannot make up their minds. I don't like that. Decide first and then tell me. I do not have an "Undo" button while driving.

The worst thing that I have done as far as going off-direction is concerned, was when Nicholas dropped me off at VT (I prefer calling it that than CST) at the platform and then I took a wrong train. I was to take the train to Belapur (BR), instead I got on a Bandra (B) local, thinking that it was a typo :P.

Strangely, I am a lot more in sync with my location when I am in nature. I have never got lost in any of the hill stations, be it during treks or any other activity. I somehow manage to get back on track in nature :) There is a possibility that I may have not been rigorously tested in nature. Who knows?