A few days ago I was on my way from Romania to Austria – by car due to an annoying and well-known recent problem with some minor volcano in Iceland.
I have done this trip before and know my way. Nevertheless I used my navigation system in order to assist my pathfinding (this is worth to keep in mind). Now, there is this city in Hungary (Mako) on the way to Szeged, where the motorway starts. In this city there is a usually not very significant intersection at which I tended to go straight ahead.
This time my navigation system – apparently fond of Robert Frost – suggested to turn right. I decided rather spontaneously and in an adventurous mood of daring to follow this advice. As it turned out – or rather right and then left – I reached a road without any traffic, straight as an arrow and definitely no police or other official organs hindering my progress. I was delighted – for about two minutes.
This road had only one minor disadvantage: it must have been built, when Austria and Hungary were still united and since then nobody seems to have bothered to maintain it. I briefly considered turning around but then decided against it. It was a nice afternoon and a little ride through the sunny Hungarian countryside seemed attractive to me. And – as my trusty navigation system showed – it would only be for about 10 kilometres. So I pressed on.
The ride was bumpy, but acceptable. I could see that I was riding next to a river and the route preview showed, that I would soon reach a bridge, crossing this river. Hopes still high and enjoying the driving challenge, I passed traffic such as there was (one horse and two kids on bycicles).
A mild feeling of surprise came over me, when I took the last turn that should take me to the bridge. Alas, where the bridge was supposed to be I could only find some fishermen staring at me in disbelieve and – I am sure to have seen a malevolent glint in their eyes – mischievousness.
I trust into my cars abilities but after brief consideration I eventually opted against trying to cross the river despite the lack of as essential an aid as a bridge and did the only thing I could. With a look of “Oh, this is how it looks. Good, so I have finally seen it.” I gracefully turned around and drove back. So much for navigation systems “assisting” the driver.
And yes, Robert Frost was right:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
