Excuse me!

It is not every day that we are forced to appreciate the wonder of our five senses. For many; having all senses in working order is the norm, nothing special, and why should it be right? We go about our daily lives, taking our functionality for granted… but it just takes one unusual (maybe even comical) experience that forces us to evaluate, and appreciate, what we actually have.

I never considered the blessing of the senses, namely sight, and was quite comfortable living with a fully-functional body; being able to see, touch, taste, talk and hear everything I needed to in order to function perfectly within society. However, it was only a week ago that my thoughts were challenged; where I was forced to consider life without ANY one of my senses. It is safe to say that I appreciate what I have a WHOLE LOT more. Here is what happened:

I had planned a trip to Johannesburg (South Africa), with the mission to locate and visit the Embassy of Switzerland. Now the train system in Johannesburg is really efficient (first world in fact) and so I decided to use the train as a primary mode of transport. After arriving at the Sandton station early that morning, I took a train to Pretoria (where the Embassy was actually situated, not quite Joburg). The trip was roughly an hour long and being early morning in South Africa, the scenery was pretty great. I arrived in Pretoria and proceeded to board the buses that followed certain routes around the city, hoping to recognize a road name or at least something that suggested the Embassy was near. After nearly an hour on the bus, with no success, the driver informed me that the area I was looking for was in fact nowhere near our current location at that time. So I stayed on the bus until we were back at the station, and tried my luck by purchasing a ticket to the next station on the rail, Hatfield (a suburb on Pretoria apparently). While I was waiting for this train, which would hopefully bring me closer to the embassy, I noticed an elderly man standing/waiting on the same platform. He was wearing shaded glasses, and being just after sunrise I thought nothing of it. I was actually quite envious of this man who didn’t have to squint as the sun’s rays blasted me. I boarded the train and was on the way to Hatfield.

Upon arrival, I was directed towards the bus terminal (once again) by various, quite conveniently placed, signs. HOWEVER, this time, reaching the buses meant crossing one of the most chaotic streets I have ever seen. The light turned green for me and I proceeded, but the man next to me didn’t move. It was the same old man I had seen on the platform, standing completely still on the side of the street. I was already half way across the road when I noticed so I didn’t have much time to double check what he was doing. I decided to just carry on and, eventually, I found a bus (empty, apart from 3 others) and chose a random seat out of the way, making myself comfortable. Moments passed…

Out of the silence rose a tapping sound, broken up by shuffling feet and the distinct sound of a suitcase being dragged on wheels. Through the door surfaced, first a long stick (before I realized what it was), and then THE man, only now did I realize he was in fact blind, using a cane for feel and direction! I almost punched myself for not realizing sooner, after failing to help him across the street. The signs were now obvious- cool shades, ‘walking stick’, hesitation in movement- how could I be so unaware!

I snapped out of the argument in my head and observed the man. It was not long before I realized (and dreaded) what was about to happen. With a sharp movement, the man stopped, and BOOM! He threw his suitcase into the isle I was seated in, knocking my legs and releasing a grunt from my clenched jaw. Obviously the grunt was not enough to signal that the seat was taken, because the man proceeded to prepare himself, turn, and then sit…on me. After an awkward “excuse me” and muffled apology, I guided the man onto my neighbouring seat- making the entire trip uncomfortable and just awkward. Funny, right? I also thought so, until my mind started going.

What would it be like to be this man? To be so unsure of his surroundings yet willing to cross a street guided purely by his hearing and subtle touch of his cane. It was then that I realized the value of the senses. Without ONE, life changes, COMPLETELY. We take sight, touch, taste and everything else for granted, every day. Imagine being unable to see the street you’re crossing, or not being able to taste what you’re eating, or not being able to hear the sweet melodies of your favourite artist!

This has definitely been something that has challenged me this month, and is definitely something to think about.

Thank you.