Long Walks On Leafy Streets

5/1/2013 Indian Institute of Science campus, Bangalore, India (Thanks to Manoj R. Iyer)

It rained all day yesterday here in Washington, DC. It was one of those pleasant drizzles without much wind in which one loves to walk. I felt sheltered under the umbrella, but even more so, closer to my own thoughts and the earth. I was feeling a little cold and under the weather. Don’t know if it was allergic reaction to all the spring pollen or just plain fatigue causing the immune system to weaken. It had been a very hectic few days. Nevertheless, I started feeling refreshed once I started walking.
I walked to Takoma station and took a bus to 14th and Belmont Street. From there I started walking to the Indian embassy on Massachusetts avenue because I had to get some documents attested for my mother. I walked through the Malcolm X (aka Meridian) Park. I used to live just across from this park in The Diplomat apartments.
The grounds of the park were as worn out as ever from soccer and other activities. The statue of Serenity in the park facing 16th street was still looking serene despite losing one arm and parts of her nose. After that I walked down Kalorama road. This used to be my running route when I lived in The Diplomat. It was nice to go down memory lane a little bit. The years have rolled by yet those memories are still fresh in my mind. Those were eventful years in my life, in retrospect, although at that time I was feeling frustrated about not accomplishing my goals. I guess what I really learned was to grow in patience, to appreciate what is really true and meaningful in life.
In the evening I again walked in the rain from the bus stop. I have always enjoyed the smells of the earth after the rain. The combination of trees, plants and flowers along with worms and microorganisms sending out aromatic organic compounds through the air signals fertility and rebirth. Of course this is also springtime. In the afternoon I saw couple of Canada geese walking around campus. This is the time many of them walk around with their young ones, although lately I haven’t seen many of them. Looks like due to climate change migration patterns have changed. They are arriving later and leaving earlier. Nevertheless, I am happy that spring is here and feel hopeful about a fresh chapter in my own life.

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