I really agree with this and encourage others to try a few trips without it.
About 4 years ago, I gave up primarily using GPS guidance because I missed using my brain and I enjoy learning about new areas (georgraphy and topology) and routes. The added bonus of learning this stuff is that it makes the return trip or any future journeys even more enjoyable and totally effortless.
Getting lost can be a great opportunity to interact with local person. Aside from getting directions, it's a chance to make a new friend and potentially find out about interesting activities or sites to see in the local area.
Google maps (and similar products) can honestly be a clunky and frustrating experience for walking or cycling directions in big cities, the acuracy provided by GPS just isn't available if the signal is weak or moving through underground thoroughfares, it's terrible. When arriving in a new and exciting city, there is nothing worse than shutting it out by spending time staring at a phone. Studying an area before arriving solves this problem and interacting with locals often has major benefits. Plus you look like less of a vulnerable tourist.
Another thing worth mentioning is edge cases, road works, detours etc can really screw the un-prepared. While travelling in semi-remote areas, I've seen Google maps do some really strange stuff, instructing me to turn around and go somewhere else etc, In this situation, one rarely will have network coverage to help out. So being prepared is an advantage.
Sure, we're lucky to have the luxury of being able to pull up a map of pretty much anywhere on a tiny computer, but like most things, GPS guidance can be abused.
Let's not fotget to use our brains, those things are awesome!
About 4 years ago, I gave up primarily using GPS guidance because I missed using my brain and I enjoy learning about new areas (georgraphy and topology) and routes. The added bonus of learning this stuff is that it makes the return trip or any future journeys even more enjoyable and totally effortless.
Getting lost can be a great opportunity to interact with local person. Aside from getting directions, it's a chance to make a new friend and potentially find out about interesting activities or sites to see in the local area.
Google maps (and similar products) can honestly be a clunky and frustrating experience for walking or cycling directions in big cities, the acuracy provided by GPS just isn't available if the signal is weak or moving through underground thoroughfares, it's terrible. When arriving in a new and exciting city, there is nothing worse than shutting it out by spending time staring at a phone. Studying an area before arriving solves this problem and interacting with locals often has major benefits. Plus you look like less of a vulnerable tourist.
Another thing worth mentioning is edge cases, road works, detours etc can really screw the un-prepared. While travelling in semi-remote areas, I've seen Google maps do some really strange stuff, instructing me to turn around and go somewhere else etc, In this situation, one rarely will have network coverage to help out. So being prepared is an advantage.
Sure, we're lucky to have the luxury of being able to pull up a map of pretty much anywhere on a tiny computer, but like most things, GPS guidance can be abused.
Let's not fotget to use our brains, those things are awesome!