Dear Google Maps,

I have been using your fabulous application to navigate the streets of Thailand. 

First of all I would like to say thank you for allowing me to view my GPS street location when there is no network available and connection is shit. That has saved me from wandering down the wrong Soi or trying to play charades, aka asking directions in English to Thai speaking locals. I still don't understand how it is possible for you to pin point my exact location, including which direction I am facing, from a satellite correspondence orbiting in space. If I make a quarter turn, the little directional arrow rotates 45* right on cue. Seriously?! All the way from space?! That's absolutely amazing! 

Secondly, I have been using 'walking directions' to hop, skip and jump around town and I have been wondering if you take into account a prolonged time of arrival when users are in humid and laid back cities? Take yesterday for example; I woke up and walked to a little cafe set below the shade of a large vining tree for some Thai green tea and a bowl of fresh fruit. My pace on the way there seemed about average, keeping in mind I was wearing flip flops and had to maneuver uneven sidewalks. Oh, and I was slowed by the need to dodge unruly motorbikes who do not believe in traffic regulations. 

While eating, I decided to lay down and read my book simultaneously because why wouldn't I? The nice garden setting provided me with a low lying table, colorful lounging pillows to lie down on and, at no extra charge, brilliantly colored butterflies fluttering about. Afterward, when I pulled

up my next destination using your app and set out on foot I figure I was at a slow saunter at best, knowing I was headed to a two hour massage and had no other agenda. 

There, I eased into a reclined seat for a foot scrub with kaffir lime and then lay down for a coconut oil massage. My body was melting into the table and when she rubbed my head and temples I think I may have been in and out of consciousness so I'm curious how you consider all of these different factors when giving an arrival time? Again, at the end of my rub down, they served me a cup of tea in a small ceramic cup shaped like a baby elephant. A baby elephant! Honestly, how am I supposed to walk, or even move quickly after having sipped tea from an elephant shaped tea cup and matching mini saucer? 

When I left that place to peruse a small, local art studio there was NO WAY I was doing better than a snails pace wreaking havoc on your arrival time proposal. This got me thinking more and now I have a suggestion for you to estimate a more realistic arrival time with your app. Perhaps you can have a check list of things to try and decide if people are on 'laid back strolls' or actually walking, like in serious worker bee locations. The check list can be very short and maybe start with, 'have you drank hot tea out of an elephant shaped tea cup recently?' If the answer is yes, you guys can simply extend the time you propose for arrival.  It's just a suggestion, I don't know if it makes sense but I think my checklist idea could be right on. Warm, balmy temperatures will also slow a walker's pace, so keep that in mind. 

Other than that, I appreciate your app support service and want to tell you, bravo! Strong work!

With gratitude,

Lauren Michelle