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America As I See It The Real San Francisco Treat (Cable car ride) Patience is never easier when captivated by your surroundings. Seemingly the minutes were but seconds, and our party had made it to the front of the boarding line. Devising a clever plan to assure us of an outside viewing seat, I moved Kim and Sarah into the first on position. Providing the young and abled with explicit instruction, I directed them to dash behind the cable car and get to the far side first. Their mission, jump on and sprawl out ensuring us all the primo seats. I then assigned Mom the duty of guiding me as I walked wide. Let me explain. I planned to tippy tap as wide a path as possible, in an attempt to hold back the masses behind us. I was, if you'll allow, the dam, or the dike as it were, to hold back the crowded tide. Phase one was successfully carried out with Kim and Sarah doing their job. Phase three was working as I took advantage of the perks of blindness and people’s natural fear of big sticks. It was phase two that I should've reviewed a little more closely, and gone over the rules of guidance with Mom. Oh sure, we got around the back of the car without incident, and even came up alongside to enter minus any problems. It was the part involving boarding, steps, and proper guidatory technique that led to a failure in communication. I vaguely remember being told, "There's steps'. Mind you, you must know I hadn't seen a cable car since I don't know when. And when I did see one, regrettably I didn't commit it to memory. Additionally, the toy replica of a cable car I had already purchased was not identical to the car we were about to ride. And lest you have forgotten, I'm blind. All these factors combined and led to what came next. Sarah and Kim sat dutifully saving seats. Mom warned of the steps leading up to those seats. I tipped and tapped, reached out, and, SMACK! My forehead had connected with a very sturdy pole. Clanging bells rang inside my noggin as stars danced around it. Typically this pole is used for riders to hang on to, but in my case, its purpose changed to that of knocking blind women silly. Mom commenced to check my condition while profusely apologizing. Sarah laughed hysterically and provided no aid or usefulness whatsoever. And Kim, I think she was taking pictures of something like usual. Although senseless I remained determined to not lose my seat, and more carefully this time, I got aboard. I’ll never know if anyone saw my noodle knockin’ moment, and to be honest I don’t really care. These kinds of potential embarrassments have long since passed me by. I do believe however that karma sat nearby spectating. You see, using the perks of blindness for good is okay with the universe, but if it’s just a plotted plan to manipulate others for some good seats, well, sometimes your bells gonna get rung to keep things in perspective. As for my kid laughing at my expense, she’ll get hers someday. I know I did-thanks karma. I was all about living the experience and ready to ride the cable car rails. I’ve seen the images back in the day of sight, the beautiful woman leaning out as her lover leaps to join her, all set with a scenic backdrop. So when more passengers squeezed on and filled the car to capacity, my romantic notions were pushed off and replaced with the utility purpose of a transport vehicle. I tell you, it was as starry eyed as being on a big city bus during rush hour. Even if I were able to view a site, I wouldn’t have seen a thing. Our seated selves were walled in by those standing passengers. Depending on your vantage point, crotches, guts, and boobs would’ve been the take home memory of the cable car ride. Fortunately though, as we progressed, some of those stand ups got off, and left us with room to spare. The circumstances finally availed; I was going to do the fabled cable dangle. Picture it, me hanging on, wistfully looking ahead as I soared up and down hills, enjoying the breeze through my hair. It was going to be grand. What they don't show in those movies or famed commercials, is the cluttered condition of the street. If I had dangled as I wished, I would've been knocked clean off the cable car by a passing vehicle. Narrow streets and loads of traffic may have diminished the experience for others but not me. Imagination fully at work, I dared to dangle a bit and create the idea I was going for. The breeze did blow through my short hair and I felt the roll of the hills below. It was awesome, even with the restrictions placed upon me by a fearful daughter and mother. I truly had a blast. What a joy it was to be in San Francisco riding a cable car, and loving every conscious minute of it.