Walking

Yesterday I had an appointment in middle of the afternoon so I took the rest of the day off. I knew what I wanted to do with the time off — go uptown to Conservatory Garden in Central Park. So I started off my lunch break walking from my office in Chelsea to Patis Times Square. A long walk but the day was nice so…

 

I had an avocado toast and walked about ten minutes more to my appointment. Following that, I took the subway from Columbus Circle up to 110th Street, where I exited to cross the park (west to east). Something I always do — imagine I’ll cross Central Park without getting lost. Haha. About 25 minutes later, I finally found my way to the north (French) part of the garden.

 

It was so peaceful and romantic. I sat on a bench peeking through an arbor at Untermyer Fountain and wrote in my journal. One day when I have piles of money I’d like a country estate with garden rooms and sculpted fountains.

 

I walked along to the central (Italianate) part of the garden and found the best bench dedication — you know I love those: “As Lorraine & Henry Goldwasser said: Sit. Relax. Enjoy.” Here’s to Lorraine and Henry.

 

The south (English) part of the garden was closed for construction, so I exited the park through Vanderbilt Gate and found myself on Fifth Avenue and 105th Street. I decided to mosey along south and see what else I might find. At one point I turned east to walk along Madison Avenue. Best window shopping ever. I walked and walked, lost in that New York City magic I write so much about.

 

After awhile I thought it was time to take the subway the rest of the way down to midtown. I probably could have taken a bus but I’ve never actually taken a New York City bus and I’m scared of them (eeps). However, the subway would have required crossing the park again and I didn’t want to so I said, you know what, I’ll keep walking for now.

 

I lost track of time. I just walked and walked. I remembered the advice of creativity guru Julia Cameron to take a 20 minute walk every day and an hourlong walk once a week. She writes that all spiritual journeys are accompanied by physical journeys. As we walk, we absorb input from our surroundings. We start to connect ideas. We find solutions to problems. (During my lunch break at home or in the city, I usually go for a walk. I’ve been walking and walking for awhile, at least partly on Julia’s advice).

 

Walking in the city, it occurred to me that a part of me was propelling me onward — on this epically long walk and on all my other walks — wanting me to outwalk the way my life is now and walk into a new one. Wanting me to walk so much that I’d look up one day and find myself walking to the chuppah.

 

I walked on. Then I stopped. Without paying attention to where I was going, I’d wound up in front of another place on my list — The Carlyle hotel. I had wanted to see Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle for a long time, so I slipped through the revolving door to a small lobby. Inside was a stand displaying crisp instructions to walk through the glass doors ahead, wait for the bar manager, and remember the dress code (collared shirts for men after 5:30, no hats or shorts). I decided I did not belong and turned to go. Then words I read recently whispered in my ear: “Leave no regrets.” In other words, don’t be afraid to try. I thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and entered through the glass doors. In the restaurant I was pointed towards the bar and walked in, making eye contact with no one (lol). I made one slow-but-not-too-slow rotation around the room to see the Bemelmans mural, and slipped out the way I came…I am so glad I did not leave without trying! It was so utterly charming and glamorous at the same time. And also the swankiest establishment I’ve ever entered. I am determined to go back and actually sit and enjoy the music. On the list, why not?

 

To cut to the end of my tale, I finally stopped at a Starbucks (to charge my phone and myself) where I discovered that I’d shredded the heels of a brand new pair of pantyhose. Then I walked the remaining…seventeen streets and three avenues to the bus station. (And then I walked home from the bus).

 

I love a good walk. This may have been overkill — everything in balance. But it did give me a lot to think about. And one thing I’m thinking is that I want to get better at accepting the place I am in right now. To stop needing to walk all those miles. To be at peace with the fact that I can’t walk out of the pages of this book into another one, like some magical being in children’s literature. That part of my own spiritual journey may be to learn to Sit. Relax. Enjoy.

 

P.S. Because I think this is funny, my outing cost: 1 train ticket, 1 avocado toast, 1 subway ticket, 1 bus ticket…and 1 pair of Filazi pantyhose (the Starbucks was free).

P.P.S. All told, I walked over seven miles.