Walk away

I wrote this one for a local area tabloid.

Yeah, you read how walking is the best form of exercise, its good for the heart, brisk walking is in, blah, blah. But have you ever walked for the sole purpose that you just feel like taking a walk? Try walking at your own space, with no destination in the head but exploration in the mind. It opens you to a limitless world.

Chennai is well structured with pavements so don’t worry about maniacal motorists running into you. Oh the idly kadai aiyaah and the tender coconutwala will tempt you en route and what the heck! Give them some business. Suddenly you find that mysterious road you never needed to drive through, now is the time to unravel it. With a city filled with one ways, for once you can travel in the wrong direction and still not break the law. And don’t be shy, stick your hand out boldly like a traffic constable and signal STOP when you want to cross the road amidst a stampede of vehicles.

With this attitude, you tend to observe life in all its hues. Trees stuck with A4 sheets for advertising music classes, a pavement dweller’s meal, old books displayed, the 5th branch opening of a textile shop, stationary push carts of kambankoozh, and pretty little mudkas are highly fascinating. But people interest me the most. Varied visages, myriad mannerisms, surround sounds, colourful clothes, admirable attitudes, loud language… Interessant!, as the French put it.

Those of you who need valid, proven and scientific reasons to do this, here are few. Exploring new routes and being adventurous improves the intellect and relieves you from monotony. Experience lateral thinking! Your road and direction senses get sharper. Hopping up and down the pavements, skipping potholes and running up little mounds is better for those muscles than walking down a continuous flat surface. Unlike indoors, noise on the outdoor is sound that adds to the visual scene. Well if pollution bothers you, there is a researcher who found that breathing in the busiest of streets is healthier than your car air-conditioner.

If you think you are upto it then here are a few no-nos:

Strictly no mobiles (not even with hands free)
Don’t carry mp3 players ( you might get lost in Rehman’s voice)
Not those tracks and jogging shoes please! As long as you are comfortable with what u are in, keep going.
Don’t be loaded with cash you might become a shopper not a walker anymore and try resisting those plastic cards.
Don’t rush, no hurry. You have all the time in your life to yourself.

Feel it, do it, trust me there is nothing more like it.

P.S: Moving into Landon’s road a month back, I now know streets & stores across
Kilpauk, Anna Nagar, Pursarawalkam and Vepery.