Following the signs when travelling abroad

Filed in archive Armchair Traveler on December 5, 2005

As soon as I arrive in every new destination, I always assign one place to be my personal landmark. Wherever I head off to, I always trace my steps back to this landmark to lead me back to my hotel. It worked... most of the time.

The Silk Market was my landmark to my hotel. Every afternoon, tired and spent from discovering new things, my feet would lead me back to the famous outdoor market in Beijing. I always let out a sigh of relief whenever I hear the noise of the shopkeepers and sight of the throng of tourists. During that time, it meant home.

Until one day... I was so engrossed in trying to discover what is beyond the tourist places that I lost track of time and place. I couldn't trace my way back to the Silk Market.

Believe me, I had all the necessities a traveler needs. I had my trusty Lonely Planet guide and a map of the city of Beijing. But, it was useless. I couldn't read nor speak Chinese. I couldn't even pronounce the name of the hotel right so no one understood my pathetic attempt at speaking the language. And none of those I asked, knew enough English to lead me back to my hotel.

Thank God, I found another hotel as I was walking aimlessly. They helped me find my way back.

See, all travellers know the need for signages. Signs bear lettering or symbols to identify a certain place or direction. A must for most of us who go out on an adventure alone in a foreign land with different language and alphabets.Lucky are those who travel abroad and recognize what is written on the signs. Although, some have found themselves with question marks on their faces as they navigate a city, find a sign in English and still couldn't understand what the meaning is.

Lonely Planet took advantage of this and has assembled a collection of entertaining postings all over the world. "We hope they confuse and amuse you!" And they will, I assure you. Check it out here.

Moral values in Hotels have also gone bad, if you judge these hotel signs.

In a Paris hotel elevator: Please leave your values at the front desk.

In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.

In a Japanese hotel: You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

In a Bangkok dry cleaner's: Drop your trousers here for best results.

A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest: It is strictly forbidden on our black forest camping site that people of different sex, for instance, men and women, live together in one tent unless they are married with each other for that purpose.

And then you have the old and famous Engrish.com giving you badly translated signs that exists for real.

On your next trip, prepare yourself, have fun and make sure that you bring with you your hotel's calling card. If you get lost, you can at least call the hotel to help you find your way back.