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You never walk alone
BEFORE aerobic classes, slide exercises, ball exercises, step exercises etc, came into vogue, walking was what people did and this exercise is still going strong. Wherever there are parks, there are walkers and even where there are no parks there are walkers. There are fast walkers and slow walkers, morning walkers and evening walkers and even all-season walkers, but one thing they all agree upon is that once you’re hooked, you are hooked for life. But not all of them agree on the reasons for walking, these being as diverse as eyeing attractive strangers, keeping fit, for enjoyment or to ease a certain medical condition. The happy-go-lucky walkers come from all age groups and in all sizes. Their happiness is evident in every step. They walk without a care and are free from the baggage of tension that seems to sap everyone else’s energy. They don’t walk to lose weight, to go bird watching or because of any other reason, but rather they walk because they love to. You can’t miss the spring in their step, their smiling faces and friendly demeanour. They are the ones who wave to kids and stop to admire a flower. Then there are the
jaywalkers. They too walk without a care but their carelessness can be
dangerous. They seem to be in a hurry to get over with their walk and
tend to overlook the fact that they are a potential traffic hazard. They
cross streets without looking either way. At times they can be seen
chasing their out-of-control canine partners. |
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Female walkers, who push a pram as they walk, can be called the post-natal walkers. They are the ones who have just delivered a baby and walk to burn extra calories. They strive to get back into shape. They trudge along oblivious to any sight and sound, except the baby’s wail. You’ll seldom see them in a group, though they bond quickly with others in a similar situation. The fashion-conscious walkers are a visual delight. They are perfectly dressed for the occasion. They can be spotted in sporty clothes or in a trendy salwar-kameez teemed with squeaking clean sneakers. They are well groomed with not a hair out of place. They can be seen carrying a mobile that they may even be talking into as they walk. They are usually fit and form the envied lot. Apart from keeping healthy, the high of being noticed keeps them walking. The grumpy walkers are always in a bad mood. Their behaviour ranges from shooing away dogs that are 10 feet away to screaming at kids whose ball happens to cross their path. For them the weather is always bad, it is either going to rain any minute or it is too hot or too humid or too cold. They are a frustrated lot, for whom nothing seems to be going right. They have very strong views about everything ranging from whether you should walk in the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, which flowers should be allowed to grow in parks to whether kids and dogs (yes, they club them together) should be allowed in parks. The birds are also aware of their presence for they seem to selectively target their droppings on them. But the most interesting of the lot are definitely the gossipy walkers. They come in groups and being around their group motivates them never to skip a day. They are the ones who giggle the most. For them a walk is more than just that. It is a way to keep in touch with the latest gossip around town. They are the ones who get on the nerves of the grumpy walkers. You can be aware of their presence from a kilometre away. Walking can be quite addictive. It is quite heartening to know you’re never alone, for there is always someone else who is just like you. |
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