Yesterday, Cao Shengkang recounted his experiences during the trip
Carrying a backpack and holding a white cane, the 35-year-old blind masseur Cao Shengkang spent 19 days traveling abroad for the first time in his life, relying on hitchhiking and hiking. Yesterday, back in Beijing, Cao Shengkang began looking for a new job to save up for his dream of "traveling around the world."
A windsurfing challenge sparked the dream of traveling the world
Six months ago, Cao Shengkang made a decision that stunned his friends. He sold his blind massage shop, which he had run in Beijing for over 10 years, and went to Hainan to learn how to windsurf and participate in sailing races. His friends thought he had lost his mind.
At the age of 8, a car accident left Cao Shengkang’s world in complete darkness, and he was diagnosed with "first-degree visual impairment." But after three months of training in Hainan, he stumbled through the waves and reached the finish line. Though he didn’t make it to the finals, the "Best Sportsmanship Award" he received made him feel fulfilled.
After going through "storms and waves," he decided to become a backpacker and travel abroad on foot. "I want to be the first blind person to complete a round-the-world trip." With his passport and credit card in hand, a backpack full of clothes, and his trusty white cane—which helps him sense the world—he set off on April 18. With the help of a fellow traveler, he crossed the Mohan land port in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, into Luang Prabang, Laos, beginning his international adventure.
Using broken English to hitchhike
"On April 19, I set off from Vang Vieng. Alone, with my white cane and luggage, I used the little English I knew to ask for directions. Locals told me that heading south would take me to Vientiane." Cao Shengkang’s voice recorder documented his solo journey in Laos after parting ways with his travel companion.
Recalling his first time hitchhiking on the highway, Cao Shengkang described it as miserable. "My white cane didn’t detect the road, and I fell headfirst into a roadside ditch, injuring my head and arms." After climbing out of the ditch, he stuck out his thumb and shouted in broken English, "Hitchhick. Free. No money!" The few English phrases he’d learned from his travel companion helped him successfully hitch a ride to Vientiane.
From then on, Cao Shengkang started looking for buses that could take him to his destinations. "How? Just yell ‘China, China’ everywhere—find Chinese people or tourists who speak Chinese to help me." If he couldn’t find Chinese tourists, Cao Shengkang relied on gestures and mimicry. "If I wanted to find a hotel, I’d snore. If I wanted food, I’d smack my lips."
Spending over 4,000 yuan to travel through four countries
On May 11, after traveling through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, Cao Shengkang returned to Guangxi, concluding his 19-day international trip, which cost him a total of 4,000 yuan. Yesterday, back in Beijing, he started looking for a new massage job to build an economic foundation for his travel dreams. His next plan is to visit India and Singapore. "I hope to prove that blind people can travel alone too."
■ Story
A Bangkok youngster lent him money to buy a bus ticket
During his journey, Cao Shengkang had domestic tourists describe the grandeur of Angkor Wat to him, foreign travelers help him write English phrases for asking directions, local buses give him free rides, and Taiwanese compatriots buy him fever-reducing medicine. But the most unforgettable experience was when he and a young man in Thailand hugged and cried together on the street.
On April 26, in Bangkok, Cao Shengkang had no cash to buy a bus ticket to Cambodia and couldn’t find anyone to help him withdraw money from his credit card. A Bangkok youngster who knew a little Chinese drove him around, looking for Chinese people or banks, but ultimately without success.
"Suddenly, he hugged me and cried, saying in Chinese, ‘I don’t have any money.’ He was upset because he couldn’t help me." In the end, the youngster lent Cao Shengkang money to buy the bus ticket. That special conversation was also recorded on his voice recorder. Hearing that sobbing voice again brought tears to Cao Shengkang’s eyes. "I wasn’t cheated by locals even once during the trip. Everyone admired my courage, and many helped me." His waist bag was stuffed with contact information of those who had lent a helping hand during his journey.
■ Dialogue
Can’t see the scenery, but feel the kindness of people
Reporter: Why did you choose these four countries?
Cao Shengkang: They’re close, the costs are low, and most importantly, the visas are relatively easy. I wanted to start with a simple trip and take on the challenge.
Reporter: Some people travel to enjoy the scenery along the way. You can’t see—what’s in it for you?
Cao Shengkang: My eyes can’t see the scenery that ordinary people see, but I can feel the hearts of people that others might not understand. Maybe this is a special ability given to the blind by heaven. We blind people may not be perfect, but we can still live wonderfully.
Reporter: Were you ever afraid during the trip?
Cao Shengkang: Many people have asked me, even warned me, "You can’t see anything—be careful, you might run into danger and die out there." I said I wouldn’t let myself die. Later, I realized that what I feared most was going hungry and thirsty at night, because you have to think about having the energy to travel the next day. But fortunately, I always managed to pull through. Isn’t there a saying, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"? Once you overcome it, it’s not a big deal.
Reporter: What was your biggest takeaway?
Cao Shengkang: Even though we don’t speak the same language, wherever I went, I tried my best to communicate my thoughts and ask for help—and I always succeeded. For people with disabilities, communication is really important.