Welcome to the Funky Midlife Tribe, where I write to share thougthts on aging well. Sharing thoughts on work, travel, and health for those approaching (or are in) the second half of their century.
“Where’s my map Sallah?” asks Indiana Jones.
I love my past travels and feeling like a young Indiana Jones. As a boy, watching "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and wondering where all these fabled places could exist pushed me and my backpack (later on) to some far-flung places. I would often hold a crumpled map or hand-me-down Lonely Planet in one hand. How sweet of previous travelers to leave cryptic notes in the margins! The mystery of these notes and deciphering them - "Did they mean left or right?" - added to the adventure.
It didn't matter in the end; I always reached my destination. Now, with all our modern technology, is traveling today the same experience? If I had owned a smartphone decades ago, I might have fewer memories of thrilling discoveries and instead constantly long for those experiences. Or perhaps not.
I see tech-savvy travelers today who no longer read the ratty Lonely Planet books as I did. Instead, they bookmark pages on their iPhones. Will they get off the beaten path or get lost on some fun detour?
I can't help but feel everything is already known. For me, minor detours and lost paths added so much to my memories. I have them in abundance. It seems that travelers today may miss mysteries and face spoilers. Can we blame anyone for our overreliance on the internet?
Maybe. However, I recently had the chance to try something different. Let me explain.
I don't regret not having a phone on a recent trip to Taiwan—or at least sticking to my decision. I didn't want to face roaming charges after the trip. So despite the challenges—getting lost and otherwise—I embraced them head-on. I had the advantage of previous travel experiences; however, at the start, I struggled to find an English map of Taipei. Silly me, after asking around the hotel for a bookstore, they just handed me a tourist city map.
Remember that the first place to ask for a map is the hotel. I have to say it was a fun few days. My shoes got a workout, and I discovered some new spots (or better yet, backstreets) in Taipei. If you have a chance to visit, find Yongkang Street. With many great eateries and friendly people, it's a must. For that secret spot I mentioned, try some of the back streets near Zhongxiao Street. The alleys are very quaint and photogenic.
Now, there's one thing that not having a phone crippled me with. And that was taking photos! I'd forgotten that in the "old days," I'd always carry a camera. I don't mean a digital DSLR, but a little pocket film camera. Of course, like most people, I now rely on my phone as my camera. Still, I felt the excitement of my recent travels - just no photos to share with you, though.
Now back home after the trip, I reflected that maps are a total necessity when traveling in a foreign city without knowing the language and without technology. A paper map will be your savior.
And me? I was never good at navigating without them, and getting worse with age. so, just like how Indiana Jones would ask his sidekick Sallah, "Where's my map?" That's one question I'll always ask myself.
I know that many travelers rely on technology. However, I recommend we try to manage without it, even for a day or two. The comfort is that overcoming tech-free obstacles can be part of the adventure.
Enjoy your phone-free travels.
Note: Who is Sallah? Sallah is Indiana Jones' most reliable sidekick and appears in the films "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "The Last Crusade," and "The Dial of Destiny."
Love the idea of getting a bit lost! But yeah, just a bit 😂