A million books, maps, recipes and tools sit in the palm of our hand everyday and there are people across the word who have designed countless apps to help use access these things while we’re on the go on our phones. But with so many apps floating around in the world, there are so many options!

One of my favorites for travelling in particular always strikes me as a little silly: Pokémon Go.

The app eats up my battery and needs wifi to be used, which normally wouldn’t be plus’s for me, but the good things about it are too good to ignore.

Ever since I was a little girl I have been crazy about Pokémon, but I was kind of surprised at another feature in this game that had me pulling it out all the time while travelling.

As I was strolling down a side street in Ojima Japan one day, about a year or two after the app’s initial launch, my friend remarked on a gaggle adults about our age around a random corner, looking down at their phones. I told him they were probably in a gym battle or something and sure enough when we walked by, it seemed like all of them had some kind of Pokémon flashing across their phones. He was stunned I knew what was happening, when I revealed to him I had been using the map on Pokémon go to explore our neighborhood.

In the mornings when I had no particular destination in mind, I pulled out my phone and caught and wandered, using the pokestops to learn more about small features around me and using the pokestops I was familiar with to navigate my way home when I found myself lost.

Even while on US soil, I have often been in a State Park where google maps gives me a vague sage wave at hand when I take a look at it, while Pokémon Go will give me a detailed map of trails and even suggested routes with reviews from others.

Aside from the maps, it also gives me a really fun excuse to wander the airports during long layer overs.

I do know the app has grown to include community message boards for the more social Pokémon trainer, I think maybe in the future this could be a really incredible way to meet some people while I’m travelling.

So, as someone who is constantly bored, as well as paranoid about getting lost places, Pokémon Go might be my best and most unlikely recommendation for a map and travelling app, and I will happily carry around an extra battery to play.

If you’re on the app be sure to add me!!