So for the first time in my life, I can walk to work.
Let’s put that in context … this is the first time since I left college way back in 1989 that I’ve been able to get to my place of work without needing to take a bus/taki/car/boat/train, and to be honest, it’s a wonderful feeling.
I don’t say that because of any environmental benefits … nor because I like the idea work can call me in at a moments notice … I say it because it has made me happier.
Yes I know I sound like I’m back at Google or something … but the thing is as I walk to/from the office, the issues, tensions, pressures and deadlines of the day drift away to be replaced with feelings, images, sounds and smells of the environment around me.
In the past, going to/from work felt like I was on automatic pilot … often reaching my destination without actually knowing how I got there … whereas today I notice all that is going on, from the people walking their dog who look shifty when you walk around the corner because they were obviously going to try and make a break for it rather than pick up their pets shit to the street traders who shuffle their feet to the left or the right in a bid to increase their odds of catching your eye and try to sell you something weird or wonderful.
[But never weird and wonderful, ha!]
Seriously, it’s like I’ve woken up and am seeing things I haven’t seen for almost 30 years.
OK, so I’m a newbie in China so there’s lots of new things to see and discover which means that in all liklihood, the novelty will pass – especially when winter comes [though walking to work in 39 degrees is hardly much fun either] – however the effect a simple 10 minute walk has had on me has been nothing short of a revelation.
In some respects, it takes me back to when I was a kid and would walk to Heymann Primary School.
I know Shanghai and West Bridgford are about as different as you can get, but back then, the journey to/from school was less about going to a destination and more about building anticipation.
You see for me, going to/from school was like an unsaid countdown … a countdown towards a period of wonderful social interaction – either with my friends or with my parents.
It was exciting.
Every week day, where Greythorn Drive meets Waddington Drive, I would either meet or say goodbye to my friends and know that I was heading to happiness – either because I’d be meeting and playing with my friends or talking to my parents about my day and my hopes, dreams and thoughts.
And whilst some may say W+K is a bit like a kindergarten, the reality is it isn’t – but that walk to/from work has ensured, at least for now, that when I reach the destination, I’m always in a better mood than from where I left.