A drive to walk!

The idea to drive early morning specifically to a park, and that too for a walk (read exercise walk and not a leisurely stroll), sounds silly to me.

I wonder why one would drive when the idea is to walk. Why not just step out of your home and begin walking (mind you, people who regimentally drive to the park every day for a walk, hardly ever walk to the nearby shop to buy milk or other essentials, that walk is saved for the poor house help!).

On a personal note, I feel trapped walking in a park–surrounded by a hedge and then secured with a boundary wall. To make it worse, parks these days have a pre-decided path for walking which freaks me out.

Having a path denotes someone else is planning your walk and taking charge of your morning activity. You become a robot and start going in circles like a possessed soul. Since these narrow paths can accommodate one or maximum two people, rest of the walking enthusiasts form a queue – following each other’s steps, leaving nothing to the imagination, nothing to explore.  

I prefer walking on the road (obviously on the service lane or the pavement – and thankfully all roads in the area I live in have service lanes and pavements, which have greenery in abundance).

My idea of a walk is to step out of the home and start walking. Try this and you will understand what I mean.

Walking in the open gives a feeling of independence – it is like getting out of boundaries. It feels the whole sky is yours. Vegetation surrounds you randomly, in no perfect order. You become part of nature. Your movements are not restricted. Your activity is neither guided nor predetermined. You choose it. You are the one who is in charge of your actions and not someone else.

Many of my friends who drive for their walks argue on fresh air and no pollution in parks. In their defence, they blame lunatic drivers who love to race on rather empty roads in the morning. They are right in their argument but to some extent. If there are no footpaths and if there are no service lanes, then only a deranged person or the one with suicidal tendencies would dare to step out and face the road rage. But if you have the privilege of having a public friendly place, then please don’t take out your car first thing in the morning.

At this note, I must thank my stars to be at a place that is conducive to walking enthusiasts. The area has all elements – service lanes, pavements, and plenty of greenery. Walking on these roads is not only improving my health, it brings me back rejuvenated. I explore and spot something new every day – a new way, a new path, new vegetation, new flower, or some other element, which springs a new surprise.

This breaks the monotony and keeps the walk an exciting activity for the body as well as for your mind.