In London, they have a test called “The Knowledge.” Cabbies have to know every street within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross: which are one way; when some are closed; that sort of thing. 
I had The Knowledge for Chicago. Living in the area so long, I knew its patterns, mentality, heartbeat. In the last week we were there, Mary wanted to get a bottle of wine as a gift for someone we were visiting, and I knew what stores were near that house. I told her, “This may be the last time I can do this for us.” Of course, in this modern era, people can just use their phone. But the notion that I won’t have answers at my fingertips and an understanding of how things work in the towns to which we travel will take some getting used to.
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