What do you mean by "metro" as in "by rail, bus, metro"? A metro seems to be some kind of transportation that is not a train, not a bus. What is it like riding a "metro"?
Yay for libraries (retired librarian here..) also love audiobooks for walking. For New York State folks, you can also get Overdrive access at Brooklyn and Queens PLs as well as NYPL. And of course your local library system. My local system also has reciprocal arrangements with another regional system, giving me access to a whopping 5 huge Overdrive accounts.
This is a good post. Almost all of Chris's recommendations seem wise. However, when there is no sidewalk, he recommends that we
> always always walk against traffic...
Shouldn't we make an exception for curves in the road where trees/bushes obscure the view around the inside of the curve? I assume that it's safer to walk around the outside of the curve, regardless of traffic, in these situations. So I cross to the outside of the curve, then cross back after exiting the curve, to resume walking against traffic.
Why do I assume this? I can find two reasons:
The main reason is that you have more reaction time - to step into the vegetation - as cars approach you. You just need to look back over your shoulder every few seconds to spot them, and use your ears well.
The other reason is that drivers tend to cut curves (like walkers/runners cutting corners) toward the inside of the curve. It's a natural result of physics and laziness. Thus, it seems safer to be on the outside of the curve.
I would appreciate hearing from Chris or anyone else who disagrees.
Fantastic! Great to find someone with the same ethos and some extra tips. I'm a big fan of super cheap plastic jelly sandals which have taken me all over the world. Excellent for sloshing through low streams without breaking an ankle on the rocks and even better for the night- time jungle 'comfort' trek. I lived in FNQ and synthetics are to be avoided in the tropics where a fully clothed dip in a water hole is a good start.
One thing that might be considered is a 360 camera (I use one of the sadly now-defunct Rylo variety).
I've found with these you can take a picture encompassing everything around you and you review it later to edit it down to the most interesting elements (oftentimes, it's what is just to the side of what you're focused on, that proves most intriguing).
Great post! Question on photos — how do you take pictures of people? Do you first engage in conversation / meet them and take pictures at the end? How receptive are people to being photographed? Do you tell them it’s going to be posted in an essay?
thank you. have you thought of walking the camono in Europe. If not you should. the strech through france is particularly nice, but pretty much any part is beautiful adn peaceful
This is a great idea I've never realized before. Thanks for inspiring me with this and to share so nicely tips. I get bored walking by the same places or going by solitary trails. I have a new challenge to try.
I find walking in my local area hard for some reason more than I do walking in new cities so this has helped give me new ways and ideas to explore, interact, connect and engage with my environment. I love the tip right at the end of walking against the traffic. For some reason never thought I’d this aspect. Thank you
Hi - it seems from their web site that the Overdrive app is not available in your country:
"Currently, OverDrive is available in: Canada United States United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Taiwan Hong Kong Singapore".
I am another reader who found you through JVL of The Bulwark. I also like walking on my trips -- I miss my trips, haven't started up again since COVID. I am much less organized and disciplined than you. However, it always makes me think I am doing something right if a local stops me to ask for directions.
Depending on where you live, walking with a dog will make you LESS conspicuous/suspicious than walking alone. In the same way that sitting outside smoking a cigarette makes someone look less "sketchy" than sitting outside doing nothing at all.
Chris, as you like history podcasts, try "The Rest is History" by 2 British historians, Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook.
Chris - love the audiobook tip. Would you consider recording your posts to listen as a podcast? sincerely, a mom of 3
What do you mean by "metro" as in "by rail, bus, metro"? A metro seems to be some kind of transportation that is not a train, not a bus. What is it like riding a "metro"?
Yay for libraries (retired librarian here..) also love audiobooks for walking. For New York State folks, you can also get Overdrive access at Brooklyn and Queens PLs as well as NYPL. And of course your local library system. My local system also has reciprocal arrangements with another regional system, giving me access to a whopping 5 huge Overdrive accounts.
This is a good post. Almost all of Chris's recommendations seem wise. However, when there is no sidewalk, he recommends that we
> always always walk against traffic...
Shouldn't we make an exception for curves in the road where trees/bushes obscure the view around the inside of the curve? I assume that it's safer to walk around the outside of the curve, regardless of traffic, in these situations. So I cross to the outside of the curve, then cross back after exiting the curve, to resume walking against traffic.
Why do I assume this? I can find two reasons:
The main reason is that you have more reaction time - to step into the vegetation - as cars approach you. You just need to look back over your shoulder every few seconds to spot them, and use your ears well.
The other reason is that drivers tend to cut curves (like walkers/runners cutting corners) toward the inside of the curve. It's a natural result of physics and laziness. Thus, it seems safer to be on the outside of the curve.
I would appreciate hearing from Chris or anyone else who disagrees.
Fantastic! Great to find someone with the same ethos and some extra tips. I'm a big fan of super cheap plastic jelly sandals which have taken me all over the world. Excellent for sloshing through low streams without breaking an ankle on the rocks and even better for the night- time jungle 'comfort' trek. I lived in FNQ and synthetics are to be avoided in the tropics where a fully clothed dip in a water hole is a good start.
One thing that might be considered is a 360 camera (I use one of the sadly now-defunct Rylo variety).
I've found with these you can take a picture encompassing everything around you and you review it later to edit it down to the most interesting elements (oftentimes, it's what is just to the side of what you're focused on, that proves most intriguing).
Cheers!
Great post! Question on photos — how do you take pictures of people? Do you first engage in conversation / meet them and take pictures at the end? How receptive are people to being photographed? Do you tell them it’s going to be posted in an essay?
If you want to discover more of your surrounding while walking, read the book :
The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker
http://robwalker.net/noticing/
thank you. have you thought of walking the camono in Europe. If not you should. the strech through france is particularly nice, but pretty much any part is beautiful adn peaceful
This is a great idea I've never realized before. Thanks for inspiring me with this and to share so nicely tips. I get bored walking by the same places or going by solitary trails. I have a new challenge to try.
I find walking in my local area hard for some reason more than I do walking in new cities so this has helped give me new ways and ideas to explore, interact, connect and engage with my environment. I love the tip right at the end of walking against the traffic. For some reason never thought I’d this aspect. Thank you
Hello from Bucharest! Thank you for the podcasts list. Listening now to History of Philosophy. I can't find the Overdrive app though.
Hi - it seems from their web site that the Overdrive app is not available in your country:
"Currently, OverDrive is available in: Canada United States United Kingdom Australia New Zealand Denmark Finland Norway Sweden Taiwan Hong Kong Singapore".
Chris, how would you handle rain as far as your clothing and footwear selection goes?
I am another reader who found you through JVL of The Bulwark. I also like walking on my trips -- I miss my trips, haven't started up again since COVID. I am much less organized and disciplined than you. However, it always makes me think I am doing something right if a local stops me to ask for directions.
Thoughts on bringing a well behaved dog? Not worth the trouble? Or helpful conversation starter?
Depending on where you live, walking with a dog will make you LESS conspicuous/suspicious than walking alone. In the same way that sitting outside smoking a cigarette makes someone look less "sketchy" than sitting outside doing nothing at all.