I was safely sitting on a fence reserved for VIP’s at Telefónica. Six bulls had just stampeded past leaving scores of pale faced runners on the floor, against walls, atop and beneath runners. I hopped down off the fence and began to walk amongst the crowd of exhilarated people picking themselves up from having accomplished one of the most thrilling things they’d ever attempted. I had barely gone a few feet when a new set of screams errupted and people started running towards me. Were more bulls heading in my direction? Without time to react to that frightening thought, there they came, a new set of steer, a lot slower than the bulls, but barely 5 feet from me nonetheless. I stood frozen as two steer came stumbling by, yet I somehow remembered to long-press my shutter button to record.
Something like this happens in the blink of an eye and can usually only be remembered through a memory or maybe a video if by chance you already have your camera recording. I have it all captured on Glass.
When I recently traveled to Spain to observe The Running of the Bulls, through Glass I felt reconnected with the world. Cell phones and cameras seem to take me out of the experience as it becomes about fishing out the device and making sure its stability and framing are right. In the process, I find I missed out on the experience. Glass is different. Glass is part of me now and when I want to capture the moment, I effortlessly speak to share it with the world.
Glass is a testament to catching the fleeting yet memorable incidents that can make your trip something to talk about. I have firsthand experience with one of its great benefits.
Traveling with Glass
It’s sad to admit that it took a trip to Europe to realize yet another killer feature of Glass. This time it’s not just the camera, it’s Google Now #throughglass. Waking up the morning of my trip, Glass had a reminder for me the second I put it on; my flight information (Gate, flight number) on one card and my flight time on the very next calendar card. The head up gesture after a notification became extremely handy as I lugged my luggage in one hand and my carry-on in another. I simply looked up and was reminded that my departure was in 10 minutes.
After getting to my destination, I was able to communicate in a language I don’t speak. Glass breaks down language barriers: “OK Glass, how much is €30.00 in dollars?” or “OK Glass, find the closest Forex Bureau.” “OK Glass, how do you say — ‘How much is the fare to Castillo de Gorráiz in Spanish?’” This was an actual translation I used on my trip many times to different destinations.
It also made it easy to connect with natives. Glass is very noticeable. While taking in the sights in Navarra, I would often hear “Google Gafas” and then they’d gesture asking to try it on. This was the first time I felt truly connected with people I had neither met nor knew, in a country whose language I have never known nor spoken. I was pleasantly surprised at how much Spaniards loved “Google Gafas”.
After a recent trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen +Peter Teoh, fellow Glass Explorer, gave a similar perspective on how Glass fosters new connections and starts conversations. He says, “Glass proved to be quite a good conversation starter. A big part of why I travel is to engage with people who live in places that I visit.” Glass makes this a win.
With translation, navigation, and information when you need it, Glass brings context and awareness to our travel experience. The explorer program was designed to have us test Google Glass in our own ways, and so what better way to do so than to travel to the ends of the earth while virtually connected to information and the people you love.
At the end of the day, Glass becomes an extension of you. Your eyes are now augmented with the world you see and what you see should you choose to share by just speaking it. You will find yourself taking exponentially more of pictures and video or conducting more Hangouts without missing any important moments. They are sometimes a little out of frame. Other times, they are of fantastic perspectives you never realized. And the rest…? Awkward pictures of yourself staring into the Glass camera as you demonstrate the device to an inquisitive native of where your inner explorer has taken you. 
Have fun and safe travels #throughglass
