Every time we tell people that we don’t own a car they say, “Oh, I could never give up my freedom like that.” Okay. So for most people having a car equals freedom. They probably have an image in their heads like driving down the highway in a convertible with flowing hair. In summer. Not another car in sight. Like a car commercial. They think of speed and agility and power and strength. Not of being stuck in traffic looking for a parking space when you’re late and everyone wants to go shopping at once.
(Before you think I’m all “holier-than-thou” I have to add that my mother-in-law owns a car. It is sitting in our garage and we share it. But when this one dies (and it’s an old car) there won’t be a new one. For the money it costs to just have it sitting in the garage you can take a taxi to the grocery store every time and buy a piano on top of that.)
But I didn’t want to write about cars though I could go on and on, I wanted to write about what gives me a feeling of freedom. First it’s this:
It’s not because they are red though it helps. These shoes are a symbol to me. A symbol that I value myself enough to buy myself real comfortable shoes. They tell me that I can walk everywhere. That I am strong and capable. And independent. I’m not dependent on a machine; I can just walk away whenever I choose to. And my feet could carry me to China and back again. It would take a little while, I know; that’s why I’m not walking everywhere. But for my everyday life I can shop, go to preschool and back, go for a walk in the woods and all I need are those shoes. They are special walking shoes. For nordic walking to be precise, though I don’t do this often (haven’t pulled my sticks out in half a year or so). My feet don’t hurt. When I was in my twenties and had moved to the city my feet always hurt. In cities you have to walk a lot more than in the country. Then I discovered walking sneakers. With expensive shock absorbing thingies in the heels. Ha! When I visited a friend in Berlin and we went sight-seeing one day from 9 to 3 we came home and she lay down on the floor with her feet up on a chair saying, “My feet are killing me.” And I stood next to her thinking, “Well, my feet do feel a little uncomfortable, come to think of it.” And that was all.
The next thing that gives me a feeling of freedom is this:
I know, it’s not very pretty. Though it is red which is always good. I bought it when I was at my biggest. Right now I’m waiting for oversized jackets to come into fashion again.
I had wanted a gore-tex jacket since 1990 when I first discovered that there was such a thing. What I love about this jacket is that I can wear it all year round. It has a fleece jacket inside that you can zip out when it gets warmer. It is light, it is rain-proof but you don’t feel like you’re wearing a plastic bag. When I’m out walking and it starts to rain I just pull the hood up and I’m comfy again.
Every day when I’m bringing my son to preschool I have to smile when I see the other parents struggling with finding parking space and fiddling with keys, car seats and safety belts. My son and I just walk there. Quite slowly because he’s only four. Then I say goodbye to him for the day and there’s this feeling of freedom rushing in. I zip my jacket and just go. Often I take a detour for the sheer joy of walking. I move, I can think, I feel the air on my face, the pavement under my cushioned shoes – bliss. It’s even better when I got for a walk in the woods. Unencumbered I just walk and look and think. It makes me happy.
There was a time when I felt guilty about this sudden feeling of bliss and freedom I have at the door of preschool every day but then I remembered the times before my son was away from home five days a week. I remembered the walks I took with him. They were the only form of exercise I did in those days. I put him in the stroller, donned my walking shoes and my trusty jacket and started walking. And I felt the same feeling of elation. Even if he spent most of the walk screaming, it was worth it. When he was a baby I often put him in the sling. Then I could even walk in the woods. Or go to the city. I could laugh at stairs and narrow doors. I would just keep on walking. Stepping over obstacles. Free. Strong. Independent.
So don’t tell me freedom is about convertibles or motorcycles. I’m really not one of those women to whom it’s all about shoes but in this case shoes are very important. Shoes one really can walk in. Free.
OK, I’m considering this a personal invitation.
I used to walk every day–I swear it was what kept me sane. But, over the years, I just quit. It was too cold, or too dark, or too hot, or raining…..
Lately I have found myself missing my walks. A lot. So, I think it is time to start it up again.
I love that walking is a normal part of your routine. For me, it has to be scheduled–get up half and hour earlier. I think that is part of why I quit. Even though it was for me, it became an “obligation” and no longer fun.
OK. I’ll do it. Starting tomorrow. God knows I need the exercise!
OK, I’m considering this a personal invitation.
I used to walk every day–I swear it was what kept me sane. But, over the years, I just quit. It was too cold, or too dark, or too hot, or raining…..
Lately I have found myself missing my walks. A lot. So, I think it is time to start it up again.
I love that walking is a normal part of your routine. For me, it has to be scheduled–get up half and hour earlier. I think that is part of why I quit. Even though it was for me, it became an “obligation” and no longer fun.
OK. I’ll do it. Starting tomorrow. God knows I need the exercise!
Oh, amen! I also do not own a car. There are really very few places that are too far to walk (Granted, I don’t do the employment/commute thing ~ thank god!) and there’s always a bus or a cab for those rare occasions.
Walking is, as you say, the freest form of transportation around!
Peace,
~Chani
Oh, amen! I also do not own a car. There are really very few places that are too far to walk (Granted, I don’t do the employment/commute thing ~ thank god!) and there’s always a bus or a cab for those rare occasions.
Walking is, as you say, the freest form of transportation around!
Peace,
~Chani
I dream of living in a place where a car is not necessary. i don’t live there now, but someday.
Nice post. Cool red shoes.
I dream of living in a place where a car is not necessary. i don’t live there now, but someday.
Nice post. Cool red shoes.
i’ve developed this rather large crush on you lately. first the singing, and now, this.
i’ve developed this rather large crush on you lately. first the singing, and now, this.
I would like to go walking through the city and the country with you.
Though not today because I ache from walking back and forth across my yard with wheelbarrowsful of gravel. But my feet are fine, because I too, love comfortable shoes.
(When I said in the post about your son that I would not spend money on shoes, I did not mean on the quality of shoes. I meant on practicality.)
I would like to go walking through the city and the country with you.
Though not today because I ache from walking back and forth across my yard with wheelbarrowsful of gravel. But my feet are fine, because I too, love comfortable shoes.
(When I said in the post about your son that I would not spend money on shoes, I did not mean on the quality of shoes. I meant on practicality.)
I love those shoes! I too have been thinking about getting back on my feet. I should walk to work tomorrow morning! It would be great!
I love those shoes! I too have been thinking about getting back on my feet. I should walk to work tomorrow morning! It would be great!
It’s kinda funny, as I read your post, I was totally with you and it was cool you’d include a picture of your shoes.
Then I thought…hmmm, she put a picture of her shoes…worn not particularly designer expensive shoes…that could be kinda weird.
Interesting the two perspectives..all about the meaning behind the pic. There is a very cool song by Poi Dog Pondering you might relate to…go something like:
Well the Ancient Egyptians, and the other Africans
The Mayans, the Incas, and all the Polynesians.
All around the world, a long long time ago,
People would walk, where ever they had to go.
They didn’t have car keys, and they didn’t have roads —
They didn’t have those ugly convenience stores, or Texacos
In fact, all around the world, a long long time ago,
people would walk, where ever they had to go.
Well now it’s the 1990’s, and the gasoline does flow,
but I still try and walk most of the places I have to go
But sometimes my friends will stop and say,
“Hey Frank! There’s a bus or a cab over there…
Why don’t we go ahead and get in it?”
But I say no, no, no, and didn’t you know,
you get to know things better when they go by slow
It’s kinda funny, as I read your post, I was totally with you and it was cool you’d include a picture of your shoes.
Then I thought…hmmm, she put a picture of her shoes…worn not particularly designer expensive shoes…that could be kinda weird.
Interesting the two perspectives..all about the meaning behind the pic. There is a very cool song by Poi Dog Pondering you might relate to…go something like:
Well the Ancient Egyptians, and the other Africans
The Mayans, the Incas, and all the Polynesians.
All around the world, a long long time ago,
People would walk, where ever they had to go.
They didn’t have car keys, and they didn’t have roads —
They didn’t have those ugly convenience stores, or Texacos
In fact, all around the world, a long long time ago,
people would walk, where ever they had to go.
Well now it’s the 1990’s, and the gasoline does flow,
but I still try and walk most of the places I have to go
But sometimes my friends will stop and say,
“Hey Frank! There’s a bus or a cab over there…
Why don’t we go ahead and get in it?”
But I say no, no, no, and didn’t you know,
you get to know things better when they go by slow
Selling my car is quite near the top of my todo list. I needed it in the small town I lived in previously, but now I’m happy with the combination of public transport and walking. I honestly don’t mind if I never have a car again.
Selling my car is quite near the top of my todo list. I needed it in the small town I lived in previously, but now I’m happy with the combination of public transport and walking. I honestly don’t mind if I never have a car again.