Glasgow University pier
Edinburgh Castle garden fountain
Chichester Cathedral
Nobody I can remember ever told me to 'take a walk' but I did anyways, and I just cant stop.Whenever the need arose,or when I need a change of mood,when its time to stretch and get moving from our predominantly sedentary lives and mainly,to reach my destination be it University,the market or a friend's home,I've always preferred to go places walking rather than driving or using public transport.There is something so healing and relaxing about moving about actively ,especially in the midst of nature,I'm not sure its our primal instinct to use our legs as our very own personal means of transport to go out to fetch food or to make a living . I was fortunate enough to live adjacent to the massive verdant huge air India officers colony which was the little green patch of greenery amidst the awfully polluting Godfrey Philips Cigarette Factory on side and the western express Highway on the other side,bordering the avoidable congested crossroad junction of the infamous Andheri flyover which took years to build due to bureaucracy and political issues.The concrete and vehicular nightmare surrounding all us Mumbaikars is something we've totally grown accustomed to over the years of living,so much so that often,its only during holidays that we remark that we had'nt seen a butterfly or marvelled at the beauty of nature.This residential colony is the respite for hundreds of school and college goers,retired folks,homemakers and the general public who are sensible enough to commute walking to their institution,temple,office or the market.And it remains till date ,the only rescue route for everybody including stressed people alike - elders with health problems like diabetes and high cholestrol who walk for an hour in groups or alone before heading to work,to make the most of teh fresh cool air before the scorching sun starts to shine in its full glory .
Over the years,I cannot even begin to jot down on paper the memorable,fun,educational and historical walks I've been to - both planned and unplanned.Juhu beach,Jogger's park,Breach candy,Priyadarshini Park(in Bombay), the gorgeous,healing walks along the sandy beaches of pristine Goa and Manglore,the awesome buildings and gardens almost anywhere in Paris ,walking along the Ness islands in the highlands of Scotland,Princes street in medival Edinburgh,and my favourite places to walk in Glasgow-the Kelvingrove park and the Botanic gardens,the cobbled pedestrian shopping zones on Buchanan street and throughout the market place of Chichester town convey the message straightaway - No cars,just pedestrians -walk on !There is something about walking among the bounties of nature that automatically heals any negative thoughts or a nasty episode at work when you know that you are so far yet so close to your home.The mere memories of monsoon treks with friends,fun strolls with friends to the cinema and guided walks with tourists in a new town are enough to bring a smile to my face at the end of a hard day's work.
Unfortunately not many people I know resort to walking as a means of relaxation or exercise.So many of my own friends lead dangerously sedentary lifestyles and are voluntary 'mouse potatoes' at work and 'couch potatoes' at home because of the nature of long hours of work,car convenience and tv and internet addiction when at home.The cold or hot weather can be a major deterrant too,one of my close friends and my sister telling me how embarrassing and unnerving it was to walk on the pavements of Dubai where even labourers travel in vehicles.I am not sure how many can consistently sweat off the calories in the gym or climb steps during lunch at work to remain active,but the bottomline is we have to fight the odds and give our body a much needed break on a daily basis in an enjoyable manner-be it dance or walk or workout or Yoga.So ,with no offence meant people,please please 'Take a walk '
