How I Travel God's Creation Without My Sight
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of trips taken with my family.
To this day, my mind is filled with images of beautiful scenery and tales of exciting adventures. I am so thankful for all those special moments that can never be replaced.
My husband, Seth, is also a travel fanatic.
A few weeks ago, we returned from a trip to the United Kingdom.
It was our very first vacation abroad as a couple and Seth’s first time venturing out of the country.
Spoiler alert…we had a blast!
People are always curious about how I make the most of traveling without my sight.
So, here is an inside look into my most recent adventure and how I, as a blind traveler, loved every minute of it.
My first secret to a successful trip is finding a travel buddy who is patient and willing to answer millions of questions.
Seth and Sara Claudia smiling together in London in front of Buckingham Palace.
From the time we landed in London, England, the first stop on our adventure, I began making inquiries.
“What do you see?”
“Where are we?”
“What does it look like?”
While this does lead to me sounding like a broken record at times, the answers to these questions help me to create a mental image of my new, exciting surroundings.
As we strolled the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, Scotland, our second stop, Seth would provide answers to these questions like, “I see a street that looks just like Diagon Alley from Harry Potter.”
Connecting new surroundings to places or images I remember from my sighted life really helps me to become familiar with a new setting.
Seth did get a break from the questions from time to time.
After spending three days in London and taking the train to Edinburgh, one of our first excursions was a hop-on/hop-off bus tour.
It took us past all the popular spots, like Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. On the top level of the open-air bus, we enjoyed the cool Scottish air while listening to the audio guide that explained the history behind each landmark.
A second way that I enjoy traveling without my sight is through history.
Seth and Sara Claudia smiling together in front of Westminster Abbey.
Westminster Abbey, for example, is beautiful but it has so much more to offer than visual stimulation. Through a self-guided audio tour, I was able to learn about the rich background of the building and the lives of many of those buried in its depths.
After leaving the Abbey, Seth and I trekked down the street to the Churchill War Rooms exhibit. This is the actual underground bunker where Winston Churchill and his tireless aids hunkered down during WWII.
Again, with the help of an audio guide, I was able to travel back in time and hear first-hand accounts from some of the people who walked those very same halls.
Live tours are a great way to learn about history as well.
At the Tower of London, Seth and I both enjoyed a tour by a guide who skillfully balanced humor with the dark history of the dwelling.
With the help of these tours, I felt as though I was able to wander back thousands of years despite not being able to see the landmarks and artifacts!
Did you know that appreciating history can be tactile as well?
At Edinburgh Castle, there is an entire display dedicated to the crown jewels, which were used for the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots.
As Seth was describing the intricate jewels adorning the crown, we were surprised when a staff member took us aside to a separate room.
No, thankfully we did not get sent to the dungeon! Instead, we were taken to a room where models of the crown, scepter, and sword were kept.
They were there so that individuals with visual impairments could explore them with their hands. In addition, descriptions of the artifacts were provided in Braille!
Sara Claudia enjoying the tactical jewels.
A third way that I enjoy new towns, cultures, and countries is through food.
Seth also loves this method!
In both London and Edinburgh, we embarked on food tours. While traversing each city with natives as our guides, we were able to learn about the history of the cities, connect with fellow travelers, and, of course, enjoy delicious traditional food!
Surprisingly, my and Seth’s favorite dish in London was curry at an Indian restaurant located in the eastern part of the city. While in Scotland, if you are brave enough, I recommend you try the haggis!
The trip was a whirlwind of new experiences for both me and Seth.
We even got brave enough to venture onto the tube! One of our favorite parts of the busy trip, however, was a relaxing, evening stroll along the river Thames.
As you can tell, the notion that travel can only be enjoyed through sight is rather one-dimensional and false.
Seth and Sara Claudia smiling in front of green cliffs in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Our awesome God made this earth beautiful, of course, but He also blessed us with many ways in which to enjoy nature, history, and each other.
How are you enjoying God’s creation today?
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