Can anybody relate? Travel troubles.

[Patrick Bushdiecker]

I can't leave the house and get on the bus to go somewhere new unless I look at the satellite map and visually see exactly where every bus stop is and the landmarks around them. I memorize these images. Then I write down step-by-step what bus I get on and where I get off and connect to the next one and the streets and little notes I think might help me. I can never remember what the bus number is, only what the map looks like, And landmarks such as a roundabout or a stand of trees off to the left. Once I have started my trip I cannot deviate because I think it will mess me up. I'm afraid I will get lost and be stuck somewhere away from home. This is stupid because I'm 36 year old and I don't think other people my age worry about these things. While I'm riding the bus I have extreme anxiety about missing my stop. So I can't just relax and enjoy the ride. I also have anxiety about the people around me and can't look at them. If I think about it I can take a notebook next time and write down my thoughts and feelings cuz I really can't remember that right now, but for sure the other people make me feel real uncomfortable for some reason.

 

[VictorR]

I also appreciate, when visiting new places, the process of drawing up detailed itineraries, and when I have time (works well for day trips but not so much for multi-day trips), to take a look at the Google Maps streetview to familiarize myself with the area of where I'm going.

It's nice having a sense of what to expect, though I am open to flexibility and the possibility of changes, so when I'm putting an itinerary together, I will also make a note of a given bus or train's frequency so I know, if I stay somewhere longer or shorter than expected, how to best proceed with the rest of the day's travels.

Something that I've come to quite appreciate is using the Google Maps app, since you can see, on a given bus or train ride, how many stops there are and the estimated travel time, and the names of those stops.

What I do is set a timer for 5-10 minutes before my estimated arrival time, at which time I'll count down the stations/stops until my stop. This allows me, before the timer goes off, to be comfortable in just enjoying the ride, whether that be reading a book, looking out at the scenery, listening to music, or anything else.

 

[Patrick Bushdiecker]

I also appreciate, when visiting new places, the process of drawing up detailed itineraries, and when I have time (works well for day trips but not so much for multi-day trips), to take a look at the Google Maps streetview to familiarize myself with the area of where I'm going.

It's nice having a sense of what to expect, though I am open to flexibility and the possibility of changes, so when I'm putting an itinerary together, I will also make a note of a given bus or train's frequency so I know, if I stay somewhere longer or shorter than expected, how to best proceed with the rest of the day's travels.

Something that I've come to quite appreciate is using the Google Maps app, since you can see, on a given bus or train ride, how many stops there are and the estimated travel time, and the names of those stops.

What I do is set a timer for 5-10 minutes before my estimated arrival time, at which time I'll count down the stations/stops until my stop. This allows me, before the timer goes off, to be comfortable in just enjoying the ride, whether that be reading a book, looking out at the scenery, listening to music, or anything else.

I can't do this man. I want to set up everything so I can I have everything I need in walking distance. Home, job, grocery store. I hate having to go out sometimes. It would help to have phone service. I can only use Wi-Fi to access the internet in Google maps when I'm at my house or somewhere like a restaurant.

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

Traveling, I've had to be flexible at times, like when I missed my plane in Marrakesh. Or how to clean myself before getting into a car at Batu Caves when I was covered in cave mud and guano. [The Batu dark cave, in the same mountain as the temple cave, which had hindu deities in each cavern chamber] We found a public shower, but we had to hose ourselver off before being admitted, we were THAT filthy.

 

[Patrick Bushdiecker]

Traveling, I've had to be flexible at times, like when I missed my plane in Marrakesh. Or how to clean myself before getting into a car at Batu Caves when I was covered in cave mud and guano. [The Batu dark cave, in the same mountain as the temple cave, which had hindu deities in each cavern chamber]

That's cool. I'm glad you got to see those places.

 

[Progster]

I don't typically use wifi when I'm out, either, but you can pay for one day only so I usually put one day wifi on the phone, and then use Google Map. The app shows your location, your route, and your progress along the route, sso you always know where you are at any given point. It also tells you when to get off.

If I don't want to use wifi at all, I can access Google Maps at home, enter the destination, ask for instructions, then either take a photo if I'm using my desktop, or take a screen shot if using my phone.

Google Street maps also help, as you can virtually visit the area before travelling.

 

[Patrick Bushdiecker]

I don't typically use wifi when I'm out, either, but you can pay for one day only so I usually put one day wifi on the phone, and then use Google Map. The app shows your location, your route, and your progress along the route, sso you always know where you are at any given point. It also tells you when to get off.

If I don't want to use wifi at all, I can access Google Maps at home, enter the destination, ask for instructions, then either take a photo if I'm using my desktop, or take a screen shot if using my phone.

Google Street maps also help, as you can virtually visit the area before travelling.

Thank you so much for that. I was really looking to see if other people are having the same struggles as me. this and the other answers are helping me not feel so alone and ashamed. I am not diagnosed yet, but my therapist and others that are knowledgeable tell me they are sure I am autistic. I'm having a hard time accepting this. I just want to know the truth. I take screenshots of my maps too, but I don't like using street view because I find it confusing. I like the satellite view better because I can zoom in and out on my phone and use stores and restaurants as landmarks so I know when I have to get off the bus. I will be posting more of my experiences that bother me to see if anybody else relates. Thank you again!