Gray's Academy

When asking Siri for directions in Portugal you will look at her proposed route and you will think, that is the long way, Siri. I can look at the map and see a much more direct route.

You will be instructed to walk up one of the 5 million hills in Porto and think to yourself that there is a perfectly good street down here. I am going to go this way. Siri will politely inform you to “Proceed to the route.” Do not think you know better than Siri. In Portugal, she knows what she is talking about.

I believe this is because the streets of Portugal were laid out before the grid was invented. These historic travelers of the world, conquerors of undiscovered lands knew nothing of the grid. They used the stars which is quite a challenge on a bright sunny day in modern time. Siri operates the same way. She is always looking up to one of her satellites and she expects you to do the same.

Additionally, the street sign is a rare sight. Siri will tell you which street to turn right or left on, but you won’t see a sign on the building indicating that you are headed in the right direction. You need blind faith.

Trust her on this. You will get where you are going and it will always be uphill.