Describe a time when you got lost: IELTS Speaking Part 2 sample answer

I remember getting lost in Samarkand two years ago, when I went there for a weekend with some friends. We had planned to visit the Registan in the afternoon, but I decided to walk back alone to the hotel after lunch, thinking I knew the way.

The old town has many narrow streets that look similar, and I soon realised I had turned in the wrong direction. To make things worse, my phone battery was almost dead, so I could not use the map. I walked for about forty minutes in the heat, and I started to feel anxious as it was getting late.

Finally, I asked a shopkeeper for directions. He did not speak much English, but he drew a small map on a piece of paper and even called a taxi for me when he saw how tired I looked. I reached the hotel just before sunset, and my friends were very worried.

Looking back, I am glad it happened. I saw parts of the city that tourists rarely visit, such as a quiet neighbourhood school and a small bakery. Now I always carry a power bank and note the hotel address before going out, and I have learned that most people are happy to help a stranger. My advice to anyone visiting a new city is to take a photo of a street sign or a landmark near your hotel. It sounds obvious, but when you are tired and worried, simple tools like that can save a lot of stress.