Getting Lost in Cebu City

Cebu Philippines

I am here in Cebu City at the time of writing and I am just here in the Hotel room alone because the people have a trip in Simala and I did not go with them because I have tasks to do here. What’s really our purpose in going to Cebu? This is a work-related trip,  we visited Cebu Technological University (CTU) for a benchmarking activity. We had a wonderful visit in their Main Campus yesterday and we learned a lot from them. We learned on how they digitally transformed their campus.

Going back to my tasks today. One is to print a document. I am actually hoping that the front-desk would allow me to print, but sad to say, they are not allowing it. Instead, she told me that there are print shops near Colon St. I ask her the way and she directed me and then I used the Google Maps to locate the Colon St. When I arrived to Colon St. I was not able to see print shops right away, I tried searching the map for internet café but when I reached there, I was so hesitant because it was so dark and it was a Gaming Hub, so I thought they were not accepting print jobs. I walked again and reached a repair shop and asked him. He told me that the print shops are just nearby, just at the back of the JS-Gaisano. I went there and finally I saw the many print shops and I immediately asked the in-charge for printing.

To make the story short, I was able to print and I was happy. I then took my breakfast at Jolibee with Breakfast Hotdog as my order.

Then I decided to go back to the Hotel. For now, I didn’t use the Google Maps anymore, I was confident that I can make it. The first few streets were fine, I remember taking those streets earlier, until I reached an unfamiliar street. I don’t know where to go. I opened the Google Maps and searched for the route, but I set the maps for Cars, of course, there are routes that are different because of One Way, so I was directed to a different way and sadly I go back again to Colon St. That was the time, I realized that I was really lost. I tried asking people but some also don’t know the place I am asking. Now, I set the Google maps for walking, but I can’t seem to understand it. Maybe because, I was a bit frustrated because the number of meters in the map keeps on increasing instead of decreasing. Until I ask a guy who was walking so fast for work and he gave me direction and also I looked on the map properly, I was able to see the landmark that I am looking for, the Magellan’s cross.

I was actually walking around for more than 30 minutes compared to just 15 minutes when I was going there. I actually laughed on myself but at the same time I realized that I am not really good in directions. But yeah, partly I am happy that I was lost in the city because I was able to sweat a lot. It’s like walking exercise. So instead of frustrations, I treated it as a positive event.

Nevertheless, I was thankful that I am able to be in the hotel safe and I was able to learn from that experience.

5.6.2022 - originally written in 10:00A.M.

~MizLhaine