Walk a mile in my shoes

Look out my window and notice the beautiful 4.30 pm sun beaming through the trees. Temperature has dropped significantly. Great. Time for a walk.

Step out of the gate. Ahhhh... Fresh air! Think I’ll go a different way this time. Get to know the place a bit better.

Meet Dolly on the way out. “Where are you going?”
“Just walking. Maybe to the market afterwards.”
“Just walking? Ha ha.” She thinks I’m weird. I don’t care. Not today.

Start walking towards the market. College girls yell out hello as I walk past at speed. Notice myself taking over everybody. I look like I’m in a real hurry to buy something!

Get a few more looks than normal. Nothing’s gonna stop me today. I’ve had a spontaneous urge to exercise, so I can’t be caring about people’s staring today.

Walk through the market. It’s the first time I’ve been since getting back from India. Mr Cha yells out, “Do you want a cuppa?” No time to stop and chat.
“No thanks!” Keep walking. Keep pace.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m just walking.”
Walk past Rahul’s shop. Again, a quick wave. No stopping.
“Where are you going?”
“Just walking!”
Can feel eyes turning to watch my brisk stride through the market. I don’t care.
My eyes are fixed ahead, although I sneak a quick look at the veggie stall. What’ll I make for dinner tonight?

Right. Out of the market. Am free. Now I’m walking. How lovely it is to walk down the street and see so many familiar faces?
Inner smile beams.

There are some little kids up ahead. My eyes are still ahead, focussed on walking.
Little boy salutes, calls out, “ASALAM WALEKUM!!” Oh, what a cute little boy!
“Walekum Asalam!”
“How are you?” Wow, what lovely manners this boy has. I wonder what school he goes to?“I’m good, thank you!” I love this place.

Rickshawallah wants to know where I’m going. “Mmm. Just walking.”
“Acha [OK]. Don’t want a lift?”.
“No thanks. I need exercise.”
Keep walking.

Look around at the beautiful scenery. Aaahhh. How’s the serenity? I love this place.
Keep walking.

Come across another pair of little kids. They look dubious at my presence. O-oh. Better look like a nice person.
Outer smile beams. Little boy still looks dubious. Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all.
Keep walking.

Note the old man walking with a walking stick. He’s getting some exercise too. At least I’m not the only one.
Keep walking.

Three adolescent boys ride past on bikes. “HEEELLLOO! HOW ARE YOOOOOU?” They’re probably just showing off in front of their friends.
“I am fine.”
Sure enough, boys laugh. I hate it when they do that. Just because I’m a bideshi. No respect.
Keep walking.

Heart rate rising. Sweat beginning to surface. Getting towards the end of the road now. Turn around. Time to go back. Women come out of their house and squeal at my presence in their vicinity. “Come inside! Have a cup of tea. Where are you from?” Aren’t they lovely? Will I go in? Oh, no, better not. Need to keep walking. “Not today. Another day. Bye!”.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m just walking.”
“Acha. Why?”
“For exercise.”

Rickshawallah slows down. “You want a lift?”
“No thanks. I’m walking.”
“Where are you going?”
“Just walking.”
“Acha. Why?”
“For exercise.” People just don’t understand exercise here. That’s the problem.

See the old man with the walking stick again. “Where are you going?”
“I’m just walking. For exercise.”
“Oh, acha. Where are you from?”
“Australia.” Pace has slowed, need to keep moving.
“Oh, acha. Where do you live here?”
Have come to complete stop now. “Naora.”
“Oh, acha.”
“Do you want a ricksha?”
“No thanks. It’s ok. I’m walking for exercise.” Gotta get going.
“Oh, acha.”
“Ok, well, I’ve got to keep walking. Bye!” Nice old man.

See some of the same kids that I saw on the way. They’re a little more confident this time.
“Hello, how are you?”
“I’m good thanks.” Cuties.
Keep walking.

Get to market. It’s like coming home.
Many, many hellos and how are yous.
Buy veggies. Same limited choices as always. Potatoes, cucumber, spinach, beans. I wish I could buy tomatoes and carrots and broccoli and basil and rocket and capsicum and coriander...
See Sohel from work in Mr Cha’s shop. Love seeing familiar and friendly faces at the shops.
“Do you want a cuppa?”
“Yes I do.” What the hell – I’m nearly home.
Sit and laugh and chat. Fantastic cha!
Finish cha. Time to go.

Walk down my street. College girls have seen me and make their way to cut me off before I get there. Guess I’ll be staying for a chat.
Chatting in Bangla to the college girls. Many girls asking many questions. I do my best. It’s very hard to understand when so many people talk at the same time. What did she say? Who said that? Oh...
“I don’t understand.”
Girls giggle. Repeat themselves, all together. Nup. Still don’t get it.
“I don’t understand.”
Girls giggle again, with more gusto this time. Now I’m feeling really stupid. If you’d speak a bit slower, I’d be able to get it.
“Um... one more time?”.
More giggling. It’s not funny. I’m trying as hard as I can. I don’t need this today.
“OK, I’m going. Bye!”
Giggling. I don’t turn back. Keep walking. Grrrr. This place drives me crazy sometimes!

See little neighbour near my house.
“Hi aunty!” Oh, how cute!
I love this place.

Notice pink sky and how much the paddies outside my gate have grown since I went to India.
I love this place.


Note to self: 1. Do Bangla practice tonight. 2. Come up with another interesting recipe for potatoes, cucumber, spinach and beans.