I like to travel in style. Two different styles, in fact: exploratory, and direct.
When I’m late to an appointment, I take the most direct, familiar, route I know. I don’t try any tricks — roads that vaguely ring a bell, or look like they might connect — I stay with what I’ve known.
But when I’ve time to spare, I get lost. Given a choice between a 15 minute route I know, and one that might take twice as long, I’ll take the road less traveled (by me). I’m paying for knowledge, with time.
I discover a lot of good routes this way — not always to the place I was going at the time, but often to somewhere I want to go later, when I’m in a hurry and wouldn’t have time to look for them. And, when I am in a hurry and I do get lost — because I’m coming from or going somewhere unfamiliar, or have to detour — I’m more likely to come across a place I recognize, and place myself back onto my mental map.
