Starting Point

This is part of the Braille Institute building at 741 N Vermont Ave in Silverlake.

The Blindfold

That's where the blindfold went on. Since it was the 4th of July, I wore my most patriotic sweatshirt.

The Intersection

Listen to the first audio file below for the sound of the crosswalk signals near the Braille Institute.

Intersection

Crosswalk signals for the blind.

Hydrant?

I ran into something at about waist level and took a picture so I could see what it was later. What is it? Maybe a strangely tall, thin, red fire hydrant? Notice my green stick in the left hand.

LACC

Just up the street from the Braille Institute is Los Angeles City College. I ran into a railing, turned left, and took this photo.

Bus

I heard a large vehicle approaching. I shot.

People

I tried to catch people as I heard them go by.

Woman

Why would she be looking at me?

The Entrance

Finally, after 2 blocks of painstaking fumbling, I heard the mechanical murmur of an escalator.

Stairs

I opted not to use the escalator.

Down Under

The view from the bottom of the stairs.

Vents

As I went down into the station, I felt a rush of air coming from these.

Steps

There was a train in the station as I walked down.

Waiting

I heard a couple of these people, but there are more than I thought.

Bumps

These bumpy grids are installed just for people like me who need to feel out where to wait for a train.

Waiting

Train should be coming from THAT direction.

Sure Enough

There it is!

On Board

Me on the train. Feeling the movement of the train while blindfolded is really cool.

Red Car

My fellow passengers on the Red Line. I could tell I was at the end of a car because all of the voices came from one direction.

Opening

In my American Sweater as the doors open.

Exit

I heard something like an empty plastic container as I exited the Red Line train at Union Station.

Helpful

This was the first guy to really help me. he pointed me to the escalator. I explained what I was doing and he gave me some vague warning about people pretending - not sure if he was admonishing me or being helpful.

Escalator

This shot turned out pretty neat.

Going Up

Heading into the heart of Union Station.

Lost

After the first elevator into Union Station, I was in a cavernous room for a few minutes, feeling a bit lost. I followed the sound of these people buying tickets, but ended up going straight into a wall.

Eric

This guy really saved me. After I hit the wall (ha ha), he guided me for the rest of the trek up another escalator, through a couple of passages and around a couple of corners, up a flight of stairs to the Gold Line platform. He alternately let me hold onto his shoulder or had me follow the sound of his skateboard tapping on the ground as he walked. He asked how I lost my eyesight, and when I hesitated, he apologized for asking.

The View

Waiting on the outdoor Gold Line platform. Interesting photo. It's a shame that my camera took small shots for a while. That's what I get for trying to operate it without looking!

Nick

This was the other really helpful guy, Nick. he helped me on and off the Gold Line train. He had just returned from a 10-day trip to France, Romania, and Hungary. I told him what I was doing and tried to explain SFØ. We chatted about how your other senses are heightened when you can't see, and he said that the sense of smell is more powerful than we think. My nose didn't help me much on this journey (I think).

Couple

These two were talking kinda loud.

Gold Line

Here's the sound of the automated Gold Line stop announcements. Really helpful when you can't see.

Gold Car

People on the Gold Line. Again, I had no idea there were this many people on the train because they were all so QUIET.

Pasadena

This guy had been on the phone with Metro, complaining about not being able to get to the Rose Bowl with the automated directions he was given by Metro's website. I could hear fireworks in the distance.

Fountain

I heard rushing water on my way to the street. From this!

Tracks

A couple helped guide me to the street, but once I got there, I turned onto these tracks...

Mechanical Arm

This mechanical drop-down railroad crossing arm trapped me on the wrong side of the tracks!

Train!

In time to hear a train coming!!! Fortunately, I made it to safety quite easily.

Arroyo Parkway

Here I am crossing a busy intersection. Hello oncoming (albeit stopped) traffic!

Guy

This guy (behind the pole) asked me if I was training. Not sure what he thought I might be training for, unless it was ninja training. He told me to be careful.

The End

Finally made it! The Pasadena Braille Club at 386 N Los Robles Ave.

Sign

Those Braille Club folks should really put a light on their sign. Oh, wait...

Blindfold Off

Since there was a flag out front of the Braille Club, and it was the 4th...

Danger Zone

On my way back, blindfold off, I went past where I had been caught next to the tracks. I ended up hugging that pole near the center of the photo, knowing that the train would NOT hit the pole.