In this column, we’ll be using the internet to try to figure out exactly where people took their random photos. This week, we had an image supplied by a Mr. Abel. Let’s see if we can figure out exactly where it was taken.
First Thoughts: Alright, I think this is somewhere in the US or Canada because it’s so flat. You’re quite high up, so maybe you’re on another skyscraper? Where are there two cities in the US that are so close that they can see each other? Let’s try the Twin Cities first.
Yeah, this is looking promising. Not sure if it's morning or evening in this picture, but that would tell us something about the orientation based on the sunset. I reckon we’re either looking NE or SW, so the two cities must be aligned like that. Is this maybe a view of Minneapolis as seen from nearby St. Paul? I think so. I think we’re on the money here, first guess.
Hmm, wait, there’s no highway or bridge or river in the foreground of the photo, so it can’t be the Twin Cities. Damn, I thought I had it right away. Okay, let’s try Canada.
Canada, Canada. Hmm. Is it Calgary? I hope for your sake it’s not Calgary, but I don’t think it is, it’s not got the right buildings. Don’t think it’s Edmonton, either, I don’t see those blocky dark buildings on the far left. I’m gonna google “Canadian skyline sunset” and eliminate “Toronto”. Not Vancouver either. This is getting me nowhere. Humm, it’s kinda smoggy though isn’t it? So maybe like Los Angeles? Canada is getting me nowhere, I just thought it was too flat for anywhere else. Let’s try LA.
Oh, bang, yes. This is it. Where are we exactly, though? It’s high up, so I bet it’s the Hollywood Hills. Or maybe it’s that observatory from La La Land? Yeah, surely, that’s the one. Oh yes, it’s gotta be this.
Damn, ashamed I didn’t get this faster but I’ve never actually been to LA. Okay, after looking at some other photos, I reckon you’re on the west balcony of the Griffith Observatory, at the Cafe at the End of the Universe. And we’re looking Southeast, just like I suspected!
Final Answer: Cafe at the End of the Universe, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles. Time to solve: 20 minutes.
Want to send in your own picture? Send an email to maps@critic.co.nz and we’ll give it a shot. Correct answers will be published next week