Sometimes it’s difficult to see the forest for the trees. On the road, shuttling from one destination to the next, we may be able to name the best “wired” coffee shop in the Windy City or the fastest route from Paris Charles de Gaulle to the 2nd arrondissement, but we’re so used to rushing from place to place that we forget to appreciate the very fact that we routinely visit destinations others may only dream of seeing.

Vicki Miller was among the more than 1,100 United 1K members who responded to Global Traveler’s online call for a 200-word essay describing a life-changing travel experience. Responses received between Nov. 18 and Dec. 14, 2006 were reviewed and considered. Miller, a quality manager for Creative Specialties International in the Bath Accessories Division of Moen Inc. and a seven-year United 1K member, earned the No. 1 spot. Her winning essay captured the true essence of globility, defined by Global Traveler as “the quality of being open to a world of cultures and experiences.”

Miller was a guest of honor, along with her friend Laura Mitchell, at Global Traveler’s annual GT Tested Awards gala at the Jumeirah Essex House in New York City on Jan. 23. For her winning essay, United Airlines is awarding Miller a United Vacations trip for two to Australia.

THE WINNING ESSAY

I have had the opportunity to make more than 30 business trips to China. Through the years, I have occasionally been able to take friends with me on my trips. When I travel with friends, the agenda is typically the same: We always try to get to Beijing to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. During my last trip, I traveled with my friend Laura.

Not only is Laura one of the funniest people I know, she is also one of the most adventurous. Laura is also blind.

What an incredible trip for both of us. Laura was able to “see” China for the first time and I was able to see China in a whole different way. I had two jobs: The first was not to lose Laura and the second was to somehow describe what we were seeing — from majestic views of the Great Wall to the small details of the daily life on the street.

Because of Laura, I was able to see China from a whole new perspective. In some respects, it felt like I was visiting for the first time, too. All too often we see the sites, but miss the details that make a new country or culture utterly unique from our own.