I snapped one last picture as the surfer darted through the river with finesse in Munich’s English Garden. Prior to my arrival, my mom, a frequent visitor, had sent me off with rave reviews of this talented group of surfers. So naturally, I had to stop and snap a few candids, despite the fact that my biking tour group was hastily peddling off without me. Although I could have stayed for hours, I hopped back on my bike and took a blind guess at a right turn out of the garden. When no bikers came into view, panic struck. I didn’t have a phone, I couldn’t speak German, and I didn’t know the name of my hostel. I started having flashbacks of getting lost in the mall at age four and crying my eyes out until my mom spotted me. I felt hopeless. I peddled aimlessly for twenty minutes, desperately hoping to find my way. Anxiously, I asked around if anyone had seen a brigade of young bikers, however no one had words of comfort. At last, an English speaker recognized the biking group and pointed the way. I sped off in the right direction, and after a few more directions from passerby’s I finally caught sight of a fellow biker. Although my heart was pounding out of my chest, I felt relieved to have found my way. Next time, I wander around a foreign city, I will certainly grab a map and bring a phone!
