When losing your way becomes a treasured travel moment
Getting lost isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, making a wrong turn can actually become one of the best parts of our journey. Here, three Grand Circle associates shared stories about losing their way while traveling—and, by virtue of doing so, making some truly memorable discoveries.
A Not-So-Dead-End in Venice
By Jessie Keppeler, Copywriter
With Grand Circle since 2008
Jessie and her husband, Nick, in Venice.
On a recent trip to Venice, my husband and I discovered how easy—and wonderful—it is to get lost in the ancient, waterlogged city. We set off to see the sights and somewhere between our hotel and Piazza San Marco, lost our way in a maze of crumbling facades, tiny arching bridges, and of course, canals. As we ran into dead ends and tiptoed through narrow tunnels, we found more to love about Venice around each corner.
One particularly dark passageway opened up to a light-filled courtyard … its walls covered with flower boxes of red geraniums and its far corner anchored by a tiny leaning church. With only a few scattered pigeons for company, we found an iron bench in the center of the piazza and sat there in silence—enjoying the stillness, in no hurry to find our way back.
Which Way to Istanbul?
By Christina Micek, Photo Editor
With Grand Circle since 2006
Christina and her helpful cab driver, Arif, in Turkey.
During my free time on a trip to Turkey, I took a boat to one of the islands near Istanbul. On the way back from the boat trip, I asked where I needed to get off for Istanbul. I understood that the boat was at the Istanbul stop, so I got off.
Unfortunately, I was completely lost. The stop was not where I got on the boat and I was due to leave for Cappadocia in an hour and a half.
I grabbed a taxi and the cab driver could tell I was in a hurry to get to my hotel. He showed me a map and explained I was on the wrong side of Istanbul and needed to get to the other side of the city. Unfortunately, there was a great deal of traffic.
Through hand gestures and laughing, the cab driver gave me his cell phone to call the hotel. The hotel called the bus service and had them arrive at the hotel last to pick me up. In the meantime, the cab driver gave me an apple and cigarette to help calm me down.
We finally got to the hotel and the bus was waiting outside for me. I ran up the stairs to grab my bag, and realized that all of my clothes were at the laundry up the street. I had no time to pick them up! I ran to the bus and realized I had only one extra shirt to wear for my five day adventure in Cappadocia. The bus driver was laughing when I got on the bus and welcomed me with a big hug.
When I arrived at Cappadocia, each day I would wear one shirt and wash the other in the room. A girl from the hotel noticed and loaned me three shirts and a skirt and a fellow passenger lent me a long sleeve shirt to keep the sun off of my arms.
When I arrived back at the hotel in Istanbul, the cab driver was there with his family, and we had dinner together. His daughter was our translator. They had never been to Cappadocia, and wanted me to tell them all about it. We laughed all night.
All in all, I learned how wonderful and welcoming the people are in Turkey.
Desperately Seeking Flowers in Prague
By Laura Graff, Copy Chief
With Grand Circle since 2000
Laura, taking a moment to enjoy the architecture in Prague.
I was traveling on business to Prague with a group comprised of museum patrons from New Jersey and Houston. One of the ladies from Houston was celebrating a birthday while we were in Prague, so my boss (the lead Program Director) asked me to find a florist and buy the woman a bouquet of flowers.
As I walked the cobbled streets, searching for a flower shop, I marveled at the lovely architecture and the bustle of a typical day there. But as I got further and further from the hotel (you wouldn't believe what a time I had finding a flower shop!), I was so nervous I wasn't going to be able to find my way back. My errand was only supposed to take about 15 minutes and the group was leaving the hotel in a half hour! I certainly didn't want to be the one who was late for the bus, but all of those winding and twisting streets were starting to look the same!
I finally found an adorable little shop, purchased a beautiful bouquet, and luckily made it back to the group with time to spare. The birthday girl was really happy we remembered her big day.
As for me, every time I think of Prague, I'm reminded of my search for flowers and the day I learned that you don't have to speak the language to find your way.