Walking

"Werner Herzog was the only person with whom I could have a one-to-one conversation on what I would call the sacramental aspect of walking. He and I share a belief that walking is not simply therapeutic for oneself but is a poetic activity that can cure the world of its ills. He sums up his position in a stern pronouncement: 'Walking is virtue, tourism deadly sin.'" -- Bruce Chatwin, What Am I Doing Here.

"Well," said my GP, summing up the physical I'd just endured, "there's nothing of great concern, really. But you're drinking more alcohol than you should. And you really ought to integrate some cardio work into your routine."

Cardio Work -- oog. In the city this was never a problem: I biked and walked just about everywhere. Out here in the sticks, however...



I'm having trouble getting back into biking. I love the motion, but I can't quite persuade myself to bike for the sake of "cardio". I like to go somewhere when I bike. Walking, on the other hand...



Like any religious claim, I can almost buy into this "sacramental aspect" business. I'd dearly love to think my little strolls contribute in some tiny way to keeping Born-Again Christians from nuking Muslims, and Muslims from nuking Jews, or Hindus -- and vice versa. But the doubts, the doubts...



Reasonable People don't call them "doubts"; they call it The News. Fine. I'm still compelled to walk, and I'm still drawn toward things sacramental. Besides, when Werner Herzog says something, it's usually worth careful consideration.