Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost Too

By Monique Jetton

Over the weekend, I went to a retreat with some friends. I felt like we were 3 non-blonds that acted like blonds getting lost were ever we went. The retreat was in Santa Clara area, I know now that San Jose and Sunnyvale are in the same vicinity. This was a nice time but stressful for me because I was driving. I did the responsible thing and got maps of all the places we were going or so I thought. We got lost getting to the hotel, finding the house which was a drop off point for my friends daughter, going back to the hotel, going to the pizza place for lunch the next day, finding the beach near Santa Cruz but not on the board walk (where we ended up), finding our way back to the hotel from the beach, and then finally finding our way home. It was crazy yet was the best time after reflecting on the events of it.

During all the driving we asked everyone directions to get us back to familar territory. I think the funniest was when we found the ghetto/hood. We were at a gas station and asked the man behind the bullet proof glass how to get back to Santa Clara and he said "no, speaka english." Then we looked around and decided to get out of there becuase of the clientele of the gas station. All in all it was a good trip but we did do some things wrong.

Never get out of your car to ask directions without fully checking out your surroundings.
Just because you see a truck driver does not mean he knows the area and that you need to get out of your car to fight traffic and ask him for directions.
Get a map, a regular paper map of the area so incase of an emergancy you can find your way back with out asking the local natives.
Never assume your passengers know how to read a map or follow directions.
Have fun at all times and stay safe.
Always ask for complete directions, (good ex. turn left at Brent St. and then its the first bulding on the right; bad ex. turn left at Brent St. and you will run into it)

The other thing we found out is that Albertson's has very nice employees. They gave good directions on how to get us back to the hotel. We all had a good time and it was easy to laugh at what happened after the fact, but during it was stressful. I think everyone should go on road trips more often and not worry -- just throw the map out the window and have fun!!!!