Morning Walk

Health and habit probably go hand in hand. Sometimes one tries to outsmart the other. Then we are forced to change our habit to maintain our health. Unwilling to change my habit and breathe some fresh air I restore my customary morning walk every morning here in Troy, an American nondescript town. The long walkway beside the road is always deserted. Only the speeding car drivers sometimes eye me curiously. The doors of all houses on my way are all securely closed with impenetrable curtains. Privacy, noise and life itself are locked in there. Humming my favourite songs I speed past houses, offices, clinics and shops. The pavement is very clean and flat. There are occasional cigarette stumps, a price label and some incomprehensible objects. They are very noticeable because of the absence of trash. A stranger coming opposite you sometimes chooses to offer a friendly smile and how-do-you-do. Reciprocating is fun because back home, even very familiar people don’t seem to recognize you. In fact I have habituated to meet many morning walkers during the span of ten years to the extent of recognizing their T-shirts, their complexion and style of their gait. I cannot but admire their dexterity in averting their eyes very naturally as they approach me. Probably I don’t look like one who could be befriended. Or maybe they want me to volunteer. Anyway I am taking back a lesson to be more friendly with strangers.