As I gently rolled over, I casually took a glance at my bedside clock. What I saw stifled any remaining sleep and forced me to squeeze my entire morning wake-up routine to less than 15 minutes. By 06:42am I was already fully dressed ( by a traveler’s standard) double checking my bags and luggage, unwilling to leave anything vital behind. With a last minute short prayer and a curious glance on my phone’s battery status, I left my longtime comfort zone confident of an enjoyable travel.
Thus, the day I most appreciated Google Map started.
As an unconscious second nature, once settled snugly in my seat, I whipped out my digital companion to ascertain how long it’ll take my bus to get to Lagos. Being my first time going there, I also set the drive assist Direction feature for a wholistic experience, sharing my journey progress with my friend I was to first meet.
3 hours into the journey, my elation gives way to some itchy worries: my battery was giving up on me and fast. My music plus data and other apps were the culprits here so I resolved to trade my data to enjoy some more musical goodness.
In less than 25 minutes, the phone’s heat drew my attention yet again to it. This time I had to sit up. My battery percent was less than 7% and my strange destination wasn’t even in sight for the next 4 hours. Panic started gently caressing my core.
Calling my friend I requested he should get to our meet up point and share his location explaining my predicament. After getting this I hurriedly turned off my phone. From now I was checking our proximity every hour. With 2% left I nervously met my friend, thanks to Google maps and no thanks to his ridiculous directions.
Danger one averted, I was in for a major one the next day. I came into Lagos for an important interview. In addition to being new here, I learnt the neighborhood wasn’t friendly. In fact they were ruthless, deceiving and dangerous particularly to newcomers asking for direction. My friend was regrettably unavailable and instead advised me to tread carefully.
And carefully I treaded.
Setting destination for the interview location, I left very early. Consciously not giving off any newness cues or clues I navigated the treacherous street. And to say the least, I’ve never had such a stirring experience.
With Google Map assisting, I was easily able to locate the venue, even confidently giving off direction to my motorcycle operator. I’ve never prayed more than then that the information on Google maps was accurate. Well, it wasn’t just accurate but spot on.
Missed my interview by a few minutes though but on narrating my adventure instead I was rescheduled, and hired eventually.
I had slightly missed my interview but not my way that day and many others days I’ve lived here thanks to Google maps. I simply don’t want to imagine the alternative side to my story. I simply don’t.
This experience got me researching more about Maps. Learning its people like me help make it this accurate I’ve never relented in daily improving it.
These days I update locations, add photos, answer people’s questions about places and include business that haven’t been added. I advise people to add their business and contribute, passionately explaining the many benefits. My friends, colleagues and neighbors have come to embrace this and is kinda a trend around here now. Now I spend time answering the accessibility, features and experience questions about locations I’ve been to, and been an avid traveler I daresay its a lot.
Despite what my Google badge says and the number of points its reflecting, I must say the best feeling comes getting occasional mails on how many people found my additions helpful.
Google maps saved my day, my head and belongings, giving me a successful shot at my dream job. Now I don’t relent in extending the help I so desperately needed, as one great turn deserve another.