Ilsa Around The World

Lost My Way to School

In the past, getting lost has never bothered me all that much. Although, it really bothered my sister a couple of times (sorry, Sis). I've always seemed to find a lesson in it somehow, or at least a new adventure. In today's 'Lost' episode (Moscow style), I simply got lucky.

The schools that I teach at are in various locations so its been a great enough challenge just learning how to use the metro and trying to figure out the cryllic names. Only the Lord (who I was praying to) knows how I found my way back to the metro station in the school's area. From there, it would have been ideal to telephone the school or look on a map. If only it were that easy. As my father has told me 'You always do things the hard way... ha ha ha."

On my first visit, I was accompanied by a Russian lady from the school for the 20 minute walk. At that time, I certainly found myself confused, but I did manage to find my way back from the school. This time, even though I knew I had never seen the address or the name of this school and couldn't reach anyone to ask before I left, I took a chance that I'd be able to locate it myself. I left myself lots of time in case I got lost. Unfortunatley, it wasn't enough time.

I had my map. I thought I'd try to call the Russian-speaking school administrator (who is the only person at this tiny little school). Too bad I don't know how to use the phones. If I had a Russian credit card, I might have handled it. Why don't I have a mobile phone like everyone else here? Oh yeah, no one will sell me one. I don't have the right kind of visa yet (you actually have to hand over your passport to buy a cell phone/SIM card here).

So there I was. Nothing looked familiar. I contemplated asking a policeman but THAT seemed risky. By the way, I wasn't just standing around lost. I was trying every possible metro exit and street, retracing my steps to the metro (I wasn't going to lose THAT place again). It only took 4 scenarios to find my way to the school and the students were only waiting 1/2 hour for me.

Luckily, this is a very kind class. They laughed at my gestures and drawings on the white board as I tried to explain 'lost' to them. It just happened to be an Absolute Beginner adult class who only had one other English lesson ever (taught by me). At the end of the class, one of the students suggested I drink vodka.

I don't know my lesson in getting lost on this occasion and I'm still not sure that I can find my way from that school again but I'm off now to find another school for another lesson for another class. Too bad I lost my gloves today.

posted by Ilsa @ Thursday, November 23, 2006