Today is the first day in the past few weeks that I've been able to go for an aimless walk.
Over the past few weeks it's simply been too hot so this morning was particularly satisfying. I stood under trees and looked up, paid special attention to the gardens in the neighborhood, stopped by Starbucks for a lemonade/green tea drink, wandered some more, petted a few meandering cats, watched the cars go by, sat on the lawn watching the breeze in the trees, went into a store to buy some peaches and leisurely walked home.
I walk a lot ordinarily. It's the best exercise in the world because it's something we do naturally anyway. Something tells me human beings were not designed to be transported everywhere in vehicles. I also suspect that aggressive, purposeful walking is not what we were designed to do. We're designed to walk. Just walk.
I walk almost everywhere in Thailand, too. Thai people walk... a lot! When they need to get somewhere, they might ride a moped or a small motorcycle but it seems they walk for the most part. It's only been recently that so many people have cars. The roads have not had a positive effect on the landscape. Still, there are always plenty of places to walk. There are always plenty of others doing it and plenty of things to see.
Sometimes it's interesting to just get on the bus to another part of the city and then walk around there. The Midtown area is one of my favorites because there are lots of old Victorians, interesting shops and interesting people. Some of the best spontaneous conversations I've ever had in this area have been around L Street, Cesar Chavez Park and McKinley Park.
It is a comfort knowing that in a few short weeks, autumn will be coming and there will be a greater opportunity to aimlessly walk.
~*
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Sacred Life Sunday: As easy as walking..
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12 comments:
We walk all the time. SF is a very small city and everywhere you look is something beautiful and/or interesting.
I also think it's a very healthful thing to do, and you see so many small and wondrous things that you miss in a car or even on a bike.
I'm glad it cooled down there for a few minutes.
I love walking. Oddly enough, it's one of the main things I miss about NYC. I'm off in suburb land now and all you can do is walk in circles, really. I prefer pounding the pavement and doing some people watching.
I've really come to appreciate my walks with the dogs. The best is during christmas time when the houses are all decorated-love it!
Sounds like a perfect way to spend a Sunday, it can set the tone for a peacful productive Monday. At least that's the theory I'm running with.
I was in Sacramento a few weeks ago and I so love walking through Midtown. I spent all my free afternoons there. What a lovely city. Oh, and the co-op, I was speechless.
I think it was you who introduced me to walking meditation. Thanks.
I miss walking. I didn't get my driver's license until I was 27. I walked or biked everywhere. I was fit and more in touch with myself and the world around me. Now I drive. Hurry, hurry. So much to do.
That was what I loved about Europe. They cater to walkers and bikers over there. here you take your life in your hands when you walk somewhere because sidewalks are such a low priority.....
I'm a big fan, as you know. We have had an unusually cool August so far, and I am thankful for that. But I love the fall walks, when it is just a little bit crisp out.
sounds lovely
I miss walking....thing is, Eureka just isn't the nicest town to walk around in. One very small part of it is nice. But most of it? Ugh, not so much.
Luckily there are plenty of beaches and forests nearby.....scenery, for me, is key.
Actually Thais don't walk at all, especially Thai women. In Thailand, we take motorbikes everywhere, public transportation, or the underground or skytrain in Bangkok. Thais hate walking - it's too hot, and they'll do anything they can to avoid it. I've lived in Thailand for more than 5 years and I never walk anywhere - used to walk everywhere when I lived in the US.
I love walking and as a matter of fact just came in from a wonderful one. The weather has finally cooled off a bit and it was a pleasure to walk without sweating like a p.....
Maria
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