Describing Random World Locations with Geoguessr

GeoGuessr is a website where you are thrown into a random spot in the world on Google Maps streetview, and you have to try and guess where you are.

It’s fun to play just by itself, to see how close you can get, but it’s even more fun when you put a spin on it: writing a description of each random area you’re given.

During the last stream, chat and I played a game of GeoGuessr. Just like when we’ve done this before, we were given five random locations anywhere in the world, and we had to guess where they were.

And for each one, we had to write a short description of the area, trying to make it as vivid and detailed as possible.

Here’s some highlights of what me/chat came up with for each location, with some of my favorite phrases bolded.

Location #1: Cambodia

Thin trees watched the dirt road on either side. Their long bodies stretched up, branchless, to sparsely leafed heads, bending over slightly as if old men interested in each and every motorcycle that sputtered by, simply because it was moving. Huts built from their bark and bones released the sweet-wood aromas hidden beneath their skin, the grass roofs sealing in the earthy scents and sealing out the blistering sun rays.
—Me

The asphalt road gave way to a short wooden boardwalk that transitioned into a rugged dirt pathway. It led to a large pavilion with a straw hut roof. In stark contrast, a white car parked next to it. As if the past and present were merging as one. Fields of a tall dry grass grew all around, dotted by spindly trees that reached toward the sky. Village families could be heard chattering underneath the pavilion, gathered together for a feast, a celebration of the harvest season. The aroma of roasted beef and grilled vegetables lifted from their plates and into their noses.
—Justintoonz

The faded asphalt road cut across muddy canals that flowed along each side like a poor-man’s Venice. The shingles of the nearby house were mismatched, mostly barn-red with a stark splash of green as if the builder couldn’t afford the same paint. Even the trees themselves couldn’t spare a rich foliage for this sparse place. And yet, families carved out a living here, as seen in the laundry hanging on the clothesline, the motorcycles propped up against the side of the makeshift garage, and people gathered within to create happy memories amid their destitute surroundings.
—EricaDeel

A long paved road ran through a town of only the essentials. Those who lived here had no idea how primitive they were. But it didn’t matter. The handmade huts nestled among gaunt trees, slouching wood in need of sustenance that nature struggled to provide. Dirt roads had to be carved by the few cars that traveled through. The only smells around here were the unripe vegetables or the sun-baked asphalt steaming up your nose.
—joe_g89

Location #2: Sri Lanka

The house was a squat lima bean in the middle of the sweaty jungle — tiny, bright green, and smooth — just waiting to be swallowed up by a hungry palm tree. Humid winds blew through the salivating leaves and ivy, as wet and loud as wheezing old men sitting around unwelcome at the Thanksgiving table. Its only shield was the dirt yard surrounding it, a dusty moat for the lima bean castle.
—Me

The buzz from the telephone wires above the forest canopy belies a civilization that doesn’t exist here. A lone house sits amid the lush foliage, a mint-candy-green that sits unnatural against the backdrop of verdant growth. A plywood door keeps out the nasty critters that emerge after dark, but its porosity allows the whoosh of the tree’s leaves in to the abode to lull the occupants to a restful sleep.
—EricaDeel

The mint green house was squat and rectangular cigar box, and smelled like one, too. Hot air emanated off it’s gray tin roof, as the sun streamed through the dense foliage of trees. The jungle was silent. Not a single sign of life. Not a movement or a sound. But that smell from the house, oh, it was bad. Like burnt cabbage mixed with marijuana.
—Justintoonz

The row of lean trees with thin and crispy bark blocked out the sun. They stood looming over a long sandy brown road. Age forced some to lean over with each passing year. Tree bark and leaves fall to die on the grass like dead confetti. You can find the lime green hut easily because it couldn’t blend in with nature. The door and windows to this hut were closed. Metal bars formed a fence. No visitors welcomed.
—joe_g89

Location #3: Cancun, Mexico

Only those taller than the “No Parking” signs could peek over the white-brick wall. And here, that was only the palm trees. Their fanning leaves gave shade to the mullet of vines and brush creeping over the wall’s top, hinting at the party in the back. A hidden, never-ending stream of angry grumbles into shoulder cellphones, and the furious zipping of Gucci purses.
—Me

Here was where the sun always shined first. Shined on bright futures and budding careers. All the palm trees lined up for a Green Carpet event. They wore feathered hats of their own, doused in floral perfume. Each one hopeful to gain their 15 minutes of fame. Even the birds sung for musicals. Long paved roads ran for miles. They were stretched and constructed constantly, just like the faces you’ll see on the big screen this summer.
—joe_g89

The cars were alive on the street as they sped by, their grills angry faces that read, “get out of my way, moron!” Those driving the vehicles had the same expressions on their own faces. They thought only of themselves and not of those around them. “Road Rage” was a common language spoken in the city; curse words sputtered as often as one said hallo or goodbye. a red moving van honked, its horn reminiscent of an angry man yelling, “get off my lawn!”
—Justintoonz

The palm trees stretched out to the cars below, their hundred-finger leaves looking to snatch people from their vehicles to feed their lush verdancy. The dense ivy tangled around the white stone wall, seeking to crush any sign of mankind. While the angled mirrors on the wall seemed there for the woman’s safety, really they were products of nature to surveil the area and get ready for their next victim to cleanse the virus of humans from its system.
—EricaDeel

Location #4: Sri Lanka (again!)

Nothing judges more harshly on the dead plains than the stare of the water buffalo. Their big, black eyes, the size of obsidian baseballs, sucking out all light from the poor souls who dare look their way. They bat their ears at the flies, shake their horns at the sky, and you can feel the apathy curdling through you like spoiled buffalo milk. The only hope among the dead lands, turning its rear to you, trampling over crusty turds and releasing the foul stench inside with dry, squelching pops. Welcome to Alabama.
—Me

The only sound here is your own heartbeat. And as you sink your feet in dead grass, you can only suck in dry air. There’s a lifeless tree by the road. It’s jagged vines reach for the sky and it reminds you of lightning. Grey clouds give you some hope for rain. But you know this desert will never be graced by water. You trek, what seems like for days. Nothing but trees and dirt. Eventually, you just die on the road as a group of water buffalo barely give you a second glance.
—joe_g89

The wind blows through the old plain, not quite cold, not quite dry. The grass hisses as the wind blows by, crunching like hay as they’re trampled. It is waiting. A light – a giant, faint shadow’s edge – races through the fields, and the sun pokes languidly at the back of your neck. Then it is gone. The sun disappears again behind clumpy clouds, a thin layer that refuses to dissipate, yet refuses to grow. Trees clump together in the distance, like a flock of conspiring crows, and bushes stand stolidly, green leaves turned in quiet defiance. They are waiting. The animals stare from gnarled trees, slumber in buried hollows. They are waiting. Soon, the clouds will have their say, and then the land itself will be waiting no longer.
—gameon12321

Location #5: Sandakan, Malaysia

When there’s no room left on the ground, the only choice is to build up. Each building was floor after floor after floor stacked on top of each other, as if dropped one by one from a crane. Each one with a grinding air conditioner coughing out the window, clumps of wet clothes strangling on the drying gallows, and a shop on the first floor filled with knockoffs and plastered with bright hanging ads to cover the sun and make their dealings shady.
—Me

This is a town of four-way intersections. Everyone owns a truck that comes in only three colors: grey, white, or black. The roads are always cramped. Engines blaring, horns beeped non-stop. Gas and exhaust smoke blend to create a medley of vehicular stew. Nothing but clothes shops and gift shops and cell phone shops line at the base of apartments. There’s just one shop that sells clocks and watches. And that’s why everyone is late because they simply don’t know what time it is.
—joe_g89

If you want to join us and help write a story by trolling in chat, or share your own writing for feedback, then we’d love to have you join us on Twitch.

And you missed the stream, you can still watch them on the YouTube channel or watch the full stream reruns.

Hope to see you next time, friend!

Featured image: Pakutaso