“Not to find one's way in a city may well be uninteresting and banal. It requires ignorance — nothing more. But to lose oneself in a city — as one loses oneself in a forest — that calls for quite a different schooling.”
— Walter Benjamin
Simplified Meaning:
Getting lost in a city because you don't know your way around is pretty normal and doesn't take much effort. It just means you don't know where you are or how to get to where you're going. However, if you choose to wander through a city without a plan, like exploring a forest, it’s a different experience. This kind of wandering means you are open to discovering new things, learning, and being curious about your surroundings. Imagine visiting a new town and instead of following a map, you decide to walk around and see where the streets take you. You might find a cozy coffee shop, a beautiful park, or have an interesting conversation with a local. This way of exploring helps you understand the city in a deeper, more meaningful way. It’s a reminder that sometimes it’s good to let go of plans and schedules and let yourself experience places in an unplanned, spontaneous manner.
