Midway through J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings trilogy (yes, the books, not the movies), I made a startling discovery and realized why I’ve been so attracted to the familiar story: It’s travel — the idea and love of the journey. Despite the swash-buckling story of medieval battles and the struggle between good and evil, it seems to me Tolkien’s tale begins with a trip (though rather epic and perilous) and gives readers a healthy dose of good, old-fashioned skills useful when abroad. 

The first thing that struck me as being different from the Hollywood blockbuster films was the effort the author uses to describe the landscape as the characters journey through that mythic land. In fact, I would venture to say a significant amount of the entire text is filled with vivid descriptions of mountains, lakes, dells, hills and just about any geographical feature you can imagine. Taking this to the next level, not only do Tolkien’s travelers trek through the painter-esque vistas, they also devote their culture to them through songs and rhymes.

What does this bit of fairy tale mean to someone venturing the modern world? Geography is a fact no one can ignore. Cities and countries are all subjected to their environment, and knowledge of your surroundings can be an invaluable asset. You can make smart observations to make your stay more enjoyable. Maybe you can pick the right side of town for the most picturesque view. Perhaps a hotel or restaurant along a body of water is cooler in the summer months. Between classes while studying abroad in Seville, I quickly found it much more pleasant to pass the afternoon sitting along the Guadalquivir as opposed to in the center of town where the heat seemed harder to bear. 

Ever been lost in a foreign city? Paying attention to the general layout of a place can help you find your way. Is there a river through or near the town? Is there a hill the city was built over or a mountain in the distance to steer by? From first-hand experience, acknowledging your surroundings makes getting around quick and easy when you’re in a pinch. 

Also helpful in navigating your way around the world is another salient topic in the famous fantasy series: cardinal directions. Just two days ago I was coming out of the movie theater after seeing Liam Neeson’s new film and thought I remembered how to get home faster the back way. It wasn’t long before I was totally turned around and wondering whether or not I was heading in the right direction. 

But as I was driving down the orange-streetlamp-lit road, I remembered how Tolkien often notes in which direction the characters are journeying or whether a building faces north, south, east or west. Luckily, the instrument panel on my dad’s car told me I was going west, and I knew I needed to go east towards the Delaware River. Since I live in a town along the river, I quickly found my way back to the roads I knew and even made it home in record time.

— Tom Smith, intern