The Many Joys of Walking

Walking – isn’t there something in this act that gives a strange rush unlike any other? It’s not something you feel when you’re speeding on the bike or cruising in the car with the top (in my case, windows) down. Although, there is truly a fair level of rush available in both of the above. It is, after all, a personal favorite of mine to speed my beautiful Sleek Bleek when I’m angry or frustrated. Only, don’t tell my mom. Actually, you can tell her – because, really, who am I kidding? My concept of “speed” is not the same as everyone else. I’m actually mortally afraid of it. I am known to have scratched out skin from David’s sides, out of sheer fear, every time he speeds. So when I use the word, I’m talking roughly about 55-60km/hr and not more. That’s not TOO bad, I feel. But there are many of you who will laugh at me. Well, boo you. And driving has ALWAYS been my all time favorite thing to do – if not driving, at least going for a drive.

But, walking? That’s a whole different thing altogether. Plug in your earphones, put on some favorite music and WALK. To where, doesn’t matter! It could be to somewhere, it could be to absolutely nowhere. Of course, walking with a purpose always seems more worthwhile, but then again, not always. Sometimes, you just need to BE and not have a destination. Because then, when you REACH your destination, you have nowhere else to reach. But, without a destination, you have a whole world to explore. And exploring is always more fun on foot.

I must confess, I had forgotten the sheer joys of (and my own love for) walking places until very recently. I was reminded by a friend what it meant. I had forgotten that walking was my way of blowing off some steam, before I owned a vehicle. It was what I relied on to take me from one point to the next, especially on days when I did not have enough dough for a rickshaw but enough laziness to not want to take a bus. And on days when I had no one to hang with, and no book to give me company, I’d WALK. But then, distances became larger and procuring a bike was important, because there were classes in far off places to be attended, and parties and dinners at odd hours to be present at. And walking took a back seat. I mean, why use the power of foot when I have the power of fuel, right?

I was WRONG. Walking rules all. Firstly, when I walk, I manage to get so much more accomplished on the way. Things I would normally avoid doing, for fear of not finding parking. Secondly, I save A LOT of money that would normally be spent on fuel/rickshaw – because it’s free, get it? Thirdly, it gives me this sweet, throbbing muscle pain in my lower legs, typical of physical triumph and adrenalin pumping. And lastly, it gives me a sense of calm and purpose.