What is in a name?

This morning a friends told me that a while ago a particular radio station asked its listeners what they believed to be the biggest invention of all times.

Many people called in and gave their opinions. One even believed tampons to be the biggest invention (I kid you not). I will not even elaborate on that.

My friend and I came to the conclusion that to us, the biggest invention is Google Maps. We used to rely on the TomTom and Garmin GPS systems, but now we trust Google Maps.

As journalists we often go out to do interviews, report on accident and crime scenes, and investigate our readers’ complaints. I always thought I knew the area pretty well, considering that I have worked here for close to 14 years. If someone gives me an address, I normally know more or less where it is and find my way around.

Last week, however, I had half a dozen eggs on my face when I had to go to an address in Discovery. After all, Discovery is not that big a suburb until you get lost – really horribly lost – because, you see, many of the streets in the City of Johannesburg do not have name signs. I suppose most of the signs have been stolen for some reason.

So my colleague and I were literally driving in circles, constantly missing the street where we were supposed to turn off.

With frustration mounting, we consulted Google Maps, only to find that our ally seemed just as confused as to where the specific business was. After driving around in more circles for about half an hour, we found it, hallelujah!! Our excitement was short-lived because it was the wrong address.

Many years ago, whenever I wanted to take my two girls on a road trip, the first thing they would ask was whether I knew where we were going. My reply was always something like, “I have a vague idea”. In response they would pack a picnic basket, knowing that we would probably get lost on the way. Then again, I can get lost in a bathroom if I stay there long enough.

I do not, for the life of me, know how the police or emergency services find their way around. Perhaps they also rely on Google Maps.

If someone with authority in the City is reading this, please consider checking that all streets have name signs and that the names are also painted on the curbs.

Until next week, take care of one another.