Take Time to Smell the Roses...

Being blindfolded does weird stuff to your senses.

Because I am not “accustom” to being without sight on a daily basis, if must be odd for the brain to suddenly have to cope with the immediate and drastic change.  Every day noises such as a pedestrian’s footfalls on the sidewalk, the slight “ticking” that a bicycle makes when it is coasting, or the hum of a distant leaf blower down the street, seems to become magnified and “closer”. 

Ahhh, But SMELLS.  The smells get me every time!  When sighted, I normally don’t really pay attention to smells, unless I am passing a bakery…then I REALLY sniff the air.  But “every-day” smells, so to speak, never really grab my attention…until I am wearing a blindfold.  Then the world comes alive with them.  If someone is standing next to me at a curb while waiting for a light to change, I can sometimes determine whether it’s a guy or gal depending on their perfume, cologne or deodorant.  (I promise I’m not a weirdo that goes around sniffing everyone like a coon-hound).

Other times, I can use my sense of smell to determine my orientation.  There are several stores in downtown Portland that are distinct such as Victoria’s Secret very fragrant perfume, and Chipotle’s oil-fried chips and salsa.

A lot of times, I am right in my smell-predictions.  But other times, Maaaan, am I SO off!

This particular incident was during one of my early blindfold experiences a month into my apprenticeship.

There I was, blindfolded with my dog, standing on the curb edge. I was concentrating so hard on audibly reading my traffic; listening for the surge of the traffic to indicate it was safe to cross the street.  I’m pretty sure I missed a cycle because I felt we stood there for quite some time, my mentor right behind me.
I could hear that  a large truck was stopped directly in front of me, idling loudly.  But then my smell-senses kicked in.  I breathed in deeply.  Sniffed the air a couple of times.  Smells of freshly baked bread, pepperoni, and cheese wafted in the air.  Wafted quite strongly actually. Wow! I hadn’t realized I was hungry until then (I had not yet eaten lunch).   My mentor was watching me as I sniffed the air.

“Can you tell what type of truck that is?” She asked.

I sniffed the air again. There’s no doubt in my mind I thought.  I know what’s in that truck. And IT. IS. GOOOOD!  Mmmmh! “Yeah!!!!” I said.  “Isn’t It like a Subway truck or something!?” (I love Subway)

Immediately she started laughing….like, really hard. 

“Whaaat?!  What is it?!” I said.

Just then, the truck’s engine’s roared as it began to cross the intersection, sending a fresh new wave of deliciousness my way.  I breathed it all in.  My tummy growled.

“Well,” she said….”That was a DUMP TRUCK!!!”

“Whaaat!?  No way!  It smelled so GOOD!”

It’s a known fact that looks can be deceiving. I get that. But smells, why’d ya’ hafta turn on me too!?