Barbara J. Hamby

Geography Lessons—21st Century Style

Back in the day when I went to school, there was no television, no internet, and it was problematical whether Geography or Geometry was my worst subject. Certainly, with the Summer Olympics coming to a close, I’ve had a geography lesson or two. Quick as a flash, when I encounter the name of an unknown country, Google leads me to enlightenment. Imagine living 79 years without knowing where Togo or Belarus are located. Probably the average Jeopardy contestant knows.

Since it’s unlikely I’ll be doing much more world travel now that flying is such a drag, my new knowledge is purely academic. When I can barely find my way around Southwest Portland, the prospect of traveling to new faraway places is overwhelming.

Having been lost in downtown Shanghai a few years back with no passport or identification, I consider myself an expert at getting lost. “Directionally challenged” is an understatement. If you want to know how my companion and I were rescued and returned to our cruise ship, you can refer to my travel pages on my website, http://www.musebooks.com.

Anyway, I now know where Togo and Belarus are located. With the failing memory of my later years, I probably won’t go on Jeopardy, so the knowledge won’t help there either. By next year, I may forget where they are, anyway.