The word night vision sounds terribly exciting and mysterious, doesn’t it? Straight out of a thrilling adventure. Binoculars. Night vision glasses. Doughnuts even. Suppose that’s what it takes for a stakeout. As a kid, I had always wanted to become something exciting. It was various things – a police officer – undercover journalist – spy even. Though James Bond never particularly appealed to me. Anyway. Night Vision Glasses did big time. 

Would you believe it if I told you that my kids and I bought a pair of night vision glasses? Yes, we did. It was a while ago. We were scouting for some Harry Potter-related props for a camp, and we saw this themed shop. It had some really awesome things that you would be tempted to buy but SHOULD not buy. Like those impulse purchases you make because you are at the counter. 

Anyway. We bought the night vision goggles. Hardly cheap, if I may add. But when you see things you have always wanted or remotely reminded you of a fantasy life, you would buy it, won’t you? (This is why I never google telescopes or beach houses). 

The night vision goggles worked to an extent—nothing like the ones James Bond used. But we still have fun with it. My kids and I wrote and enacted mystery plays about jewels stolen from museums and how the detective played the hero and saved the day. Somehow, I always ended up playing the bad guy, but hey, they are fun roles too. Ask Thanos. We would then walk to the kitchen in the night and get snacks from the refrigerator. Biscuits. Chocolates. And other types of junk. 

Night Vision was one of the superpowers of Batman. Well, not really cos he had the tech. But you know what I mean. That was the first time I came across the term. And it opened doors to so many adventures. And probably got me even more interested in the world of superheroes. 

Last year (when we could still step out of our homes at will and even go on trips) we went to a jungle and spent the night there. Kids and I took a walk late in the night. We saw quite a few animals that walked like they owned the place. Well, they did own it. We were their guests. And we were warned against the wild animals that lurked the area. One of them being tigers. 

It brought out something genuinely wild in us. And I’d like to believe it all started with those innocent yet amazingly technical night vision glasses. There is a lot of power in being able to see what others can’t. Probably the closest to being invisible. We are yet to create that technology. But hey. Never say never. 

My kids and I are adventurous. And we have a lot of fun learning about how things work—night vision among them. Curiosity might have killed the cat, but it sure brings us together in many ways. And someday, we might get a high-quality pair of night vision goggles. And then maybe, even a  telescope and a beach house. 

Featured image credit - Wikipedia