Nothing is worse than being late and lost. Unless of course you're late, lost, don't speak the local language, and worst of all, its Monday. I have an amazing internship that I couldn't have asked for in my dreams. I was well into my third week when the buses in Sorrento seemed to change. I walked down to the bus stop just as I usually do, and waited by the blue EAV sign jus as I normally do. Something this time was different this time and I had no idea until it was too late.
As time passed, a crowd began to grow around the sign and a few girls began asking questions about when the bus would come. I had no data or wifi, and no way of checking the times other than those posted on the wall under the stop. Those times however can be unreliable as traffic picks up. The next bus was supposedly coming in two minutes which was perfect for getting to my internship on time. But ten minutes later it became clear that bus wasn’t going to come. An hour later and the bus still had not arrived. Neither had any of the other buses and the locals were just as concerned and confused as the tourists. There were no strikes, no traffic, and no known reason the bus was that late. I was already late for my internship, and desperate to find any affordable way to get there. I did what any other person would have done; I began to panic.
Within a few minutes of debating taking a taxi and frantically trying to find wifi, a bus pulled up. I didn’t recognize it and it looked nothing like the bus I normally took. I asked if it went to Piano, and after a slight nod, decided to get on and hope for the best. I verified my ticket and took a window seat so I would recognize when I was at my stop. The bus took roads I knew and I felt comfortable about where I was going. Within a few stops I was the only one left on the bus and suddenly we were taking turns and roads I didn’t know. I was now an hour late for my internship and had been trying to get there for two hours. I panicked again, and decided to call my mom and told her the story while holding back tears. I wanted nothing more than to be in a place I recognized or knew how to get home from. I was lost, alone, late, and couldn’t speak enough Italian to figure a way back.
In this situation, moms truly do know best. She told me to get off the bus as soon as I could. Then I could put my location into google maps or even ask people until I found someone that could help me. My luck began to turn as I got off the bus and realized I was only a mile away from my apartment. Relieved and happy, I began the trek home. I was still upset and frustrated with the situation and what had happened but happy I at least wasn’t lost anymore.
While I don't see any foreseeable issues such as this, it is calming to have survived a worst case scenario. For anyone who may be lost in the future, always ask locals first, and then ask moms. Moms can offer advice on how to handle a situation or at the least, listen to you cry over the phone.
Read the article here.
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