[nagdu] exporing

[Raven Tolliver]

I do this all the time. I'm not super familiar with this area. So I
get dropped off at a place I know and just start walking. I keep track
of what certain streets sound like, what direction I'm walking, how
many streets I've crossed, and maybe where I made a jog to the right
or a 90-degree turn. But it's easy for me to do this because I'm super
visual, so I do a lot of mental mapping.
If a cane makes you feel more aware of your surroundings, use it along
with your dog. I don't do it, but do what works best for you.
Don't be afraid to stop people and or call out to them and ask "what
street is this?" or duck your head in somewhere and ask "What is this
place, and what's nearby?"
Also, get used to getting lost. It happens to everyone whether you're
sighted or blind. It's practically unavoidable. Yes, it can get
frustrating. But it's also nice to explore and see what's around.
Use a GPS to learn street names and points of interests. This is
especially nice for those who are not a big fan of interacting with
randoms, or aren't comfortable asking other people what's nearby.
I have a GPS, but don't rely on it much. I like getting lost and
figuring out how to get unlost. And I don't mind stopping people or
shouting to someone doing landscaping or sitting on their front porch.
It's like a puzzle or a game. If you're tryin' to get somewhere fast,
different story. But I usually allow time for getting lost if I'm
going a new place by myself.
-- 
Raven
Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
www.1am-editing.com

You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs

On 6/21/15, Debby Phillips via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Exploring can be fun, but it's also time-consuming and I seem to
> have less time to do stuff like that now in my life.  I work, I
> have a granddaughter, I'm secretary of two entities, sing in our
> church choir.  I also have a husband who wants me to spend some
> time with him, too.  Lol.  But in my younger years when I was
> single, I lived in Portland, Oregon and did a lot of exploring.
> Portland actually is one of the easiest cities to get around in,
> though.  It has great public transit, and in general, the streets
> are easy to figure out.  I really liked living there.  The
> neighborhood ow live in is pretty much residential, so we go for
> short walks, (and sometimes longer ones).  I use GPS on my phone
> so I do know where I am, or at least approximately so.  As ow
> grow older too, I find myself feeling a little more vulnerable in
> certain places when I'm alone.  But I do think it's fun to find
> new places.  I just find it more fun to find them with my husband
> now.  (Smile).  There are so many ways to explore virtually too
> before you head out.  Then you can head out, (and maybe get lost)
> but kind of have an idea where you're going.  Kind of like a
> treasure hunt with clues.  (Grin?.    Debby and Nova
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/ravend729%40gmail.com
>