Google Maps Is My Favorite Game – Here’s Why
Maps and I go way back. It all started when I was around 7 or 8 years old, visiting my grandfather in Hyderabad. He had this giant map of the city, probably taller than me at the time. He would unfold it and trace his fingers over the roads, describing how each place looked, felt, and even smelled. I remember being fascinated—not just by the places but by the stories that came with them.
Then came my brother, Rishi, who took the same map and gave it a different life. He’d tell me about his adventures, navigating the city on local buses, sharing stories of getting lost, finding shortcuts, and meeting interesting people. Maybe that stuck with me, because even today, I can spend hours just scrolling through Google Maps for fun.
Yeah, I know its sounds boring. But when I’m bored, I open Google Maps. And every single time, I find something interesting.
The Thrill of Digital Exploration
Google Maps is not just a navigation tool for me—it’s an adventure. I zoom into random places and let my curiosity take over. Sometimes, I stumble upon bizarre borderlines between countries that look like someone just winged it. Other times, I find breathtaking locations I never knew existed.
I’ve virtually walked the streets of Nairobi, explored abandoned islands in the middle of nowhere, and even checked out the world’s most dangerous roads (no way I’m driving there in real life!). It’s like being an explorer, minus the jet lag and travel expenses.
A Peek into Cultures, Politics, and Stories
Maps tell stories beyond geography. The names of places, the way roads are structured, and even how towns are connected reveal so much about history, culture, and politics. You can literally see how civilizations evolved and expanded. Why does a particular city have an unusual shape? Why do some borders look like they were drawn in a hurry? Why does one side of a street look ultra-modern while the other feels like it’s from another century? Every time I dig deeper, I find an answer—or at least, an interesting mystery to ponder.
More Addictive Than Social Media
Believe it or not, I’ve probably spent more time on Google Maps than on social media. While I could be doom-scrolling Twitter or Instagram, I’m busy finding the remotest villages, tracking obscure highways, or even searching for places I might never visit but love to dream about.
And unlike social media, Google Maps never tries to sell me something or push me into an algorithmic rabbit hole (okay, maybe it does encourage to do more travel or suggest nearby restaurants, but I’ll let that slide). It’s just me and the world, one zoom and scroll at a time.
Some Intresting Links:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yjt7AUiD7WREQycDA – Territory inside a Territory
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6uL5QWsSxuNzSxBY8 – Africa’s largest lake connecting 3 countries
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oXVZqL1nv1qHaLy28 – Angola gives sea way for DRC
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KSpSfHgb2N5nkToa7 – Landlocked Country
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gbZB4Ex3bHj69SKs9 – Spain city in Africa
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JaKmGMFfDAMFyENK7 – UK is everywhere
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HLKVMg2thVh45jkv7 – No way to sea for Bosnia and Herzegovina
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DRzDxN8QdfrUpf527 – US city
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oXbCHUkksQDBrLm57 – Wierd boarders
https://maps.app.goo.gl/88UvaBjmbf2ZsoY78 – Belgium in Netherlands
The Final Thought
People may feel this is absurd or ask me why I do this. Why waste time looking at random places when I might never go there? But for me, it’s not a waste at all. It’s my way of staying curious, of keeping my sense of wonder alive. Just like my grandfather and brother did with that big Hyderabad map, I let Google Maps take me on a journey—one that never really ends.
So, the next time you’re bored, may be try opening Google Maps. Who knows? You might just discover something that sparks your curiosity too.