Looking Without Seeing

After 45 minutes on Elliptical Trainer, I was a bit hesitant to ride an upright bike, but after 10 minutes I was surprised I didn't feel even a slight pain or twitch on my right knee.

The day was exceptionally bright and beautiful but the wind was pretty strong. I changed my mind about going for a stroll to Fanuei Hall. I went to Border Book Store instead. Where else? Two books that I've wanted to get were on Buy 2 books get 1 free shelf, but I stopped myself from making another transaction. I bought a cup of chai and sat between two aisles at traveling book section and finished my journal.

In a subway, I sat on a single eat at the end of the car. Opposite me, sat a bag lady with a shopping cart full of plastic old plastic bags and worn out canvas bags.

As soon as I sat down she asked me if I had fifty cents. I told her I only had a quarter in my pocket.

I fished out the quarter from my jacket pocket and dropped in her palm. She asked the man who stood next to me for fifty cents. The man snorted and turned his back to her. He spoke in Chinese to his friend. They both looked at her with smirk on their faces.

The bag lady asked me where I was going. I told her my stop. She said she was going to Braintree. She told me her house in Cambridge was being fixed and wouldn't be ready until June.

I asked her if she carried all her belongings when she travelled. She said yes. But, I have more at my house, she added.

I asked her if could take her picture. Sure, she said. After I took the second picture, I asked her if she liked to look at them. She told me she was blind.

I felt like an idiot and apologized to her.

She chuckled. "You didn't know, eh?"

"No, I didn't and I didn't notice your white cane."

She smiled. Two of her front teeth missing. "A lot of people thought I can see until I told them."

Then I noticed a white cane behind the cart. All the times when we were talking she looked directly at me and I didn't notice the iris of her eyes were grayish.

The train arrived at my stop and I thanked her for letting me took her pictures.

Comments

[Sofia]

haha..with a *chai*...not a chair. No idea where that R came from. I guess i was a little to excited haha!

[Sofia]

OMG! This may sound like I've gone crazy but those two little sentances where you mention going to Borders with a chair and writing nearly brought me to tears!!!! I mean thats such an east-coast thing to do and I used to do it all the time, just go to B&N and read with all the other people reading! I miss that soooo much living in Europe! People here go to book stores to buy things and they dont spend more than max. 20 min. there- then theres me who can walk around for hours just becuase i like the atmosphere, the calm, the feel of the place. OH!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! That may have just made my day :]