Ou est ici?

In very bad French, Ou est ici? translates, again, very badly, as "Where is here?"

The history behind Ou est ici is very simple.

Twenty one years ago I was working for a travel company based out of St. Louis.

It was a fantastic job and it allowed me to travel all over the world.

One destination was Rome, Italy and one night while in Rome I had the chance to go out and walk around the "Eternal City."

I had no idea where I was going or if I knew how to get back.

All I knew was the hotel name and if worse came to worse and I was unable to navigate back I could always jump in a cab and tell the driver "Hotel Excelsior."

My wanderings led me to this huge area with a large open plaza and ornate statues all around.

I approached the guard who was on duty and asked him in English exactly what this incredible place was and he looked at me with a surprised look on his face.

I assumed that he did not speak English, so the next words out of my mouth were "Ou est ici?"

Now his look was even more surprised and he said, "Vatican City."

You would think the uniform of the Swiss Guard would be known to everyone, but since I am not Catholic I just thought it was a costume similar to what the British guards wear, only more stylish, after all, I was in Rome!

Every story has to be about something, I suppose.

This one has to be about not ever taking anything for granted.

I assumed the guard didn't speak English and he assumed I knew where I was.

We were both wrong and that started me on my journey of trying to find out "Ou est ici" because everyone needs to know "where is here," even if it is a very bad French translation.