Daily, I walk for 30 minutes to work, and another 30 minutes back.
From the green gate of Okele Road, no number, I turn left when it is sunny or right when it is raining. It is always a decision to make each morning based on the weather condition.
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| Muddier |
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| Muddy |
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| Muddiest |
Taking the right (although this is a sunny day), there are six landmarks that I have to pass to reach the office. First is the road that is muddier, then the 2nd road that is muddy, and then the 3rd road that is the muddiest.
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| main road |
Whether it is the left or the right of the green gate, I will reach the main road where the landmark is the roundabout. This is the heart of the town.
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| As far as the eyes can see |
From this point, I need to reach the end of the road - that one in the background where the farthest trees can be seen. Upon reaching that, I will then turn left to reach my place of work.
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| Access road to my work place |
On this route, I have to contend with the boda-bodas (see those passenger carrying motorcycles on the main road) behind my back. I am hoping that their brakes are well maintained because the pedestrians compete with the boda-bodas to be on the paved road. Pedestrians cannot use the shoulder because they are littered with rubbish and potholes.
But I am not complaining because Charlie says that this walking is good for the health.
These pictures say so much, thanks for sharing. Are there many other footers about that time coming from your neighborhood? Do you always carry an umbrella or take one for a multipurpose cane?
ReplyDelete(culled by Charlie from all over) Encouraging walking:
Professionals working to increase the number of people walking more usually come from 6 sectors: health, transport, environment, schools, sport & recreation and urban design. A new organization called Walk England launched a web site on the 18th June 2008 to provide these professionals with evidence, advice and examples of success stories of how to encourage communities to walk more. The site has a social networking aspect to allow professionals and the public to ask questions, discuss, post news and events and communicate with others in their area about walking, as well as a "walk now" option to find out what walks are available in each region.
Health benefits of walking:
Sustained walking sessions for a minimum period of thirty to sixty minutes a day, five days a week, with the correct walking posture, reduces health risks and has various overall health benefits, such as reducing the chances of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and depression.
Life expectancy is also increased even for individuals suffering from obesity or high blood pressure. Walking also increases bone health, especially strengthening the hip bone, and lowering the more harmful bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and raises the more useful good high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
As transportation:
Walking is the most basic and common mode of transportation and is recommended for a healthy lifestyle, and has numerous environmental benefits.
"Walking is convenient, it needs no special equipment, is self-regulating and inherently safe. Walking is as natural as breathing."
On roads with no sidewalks, pedestrians should always walk facing the oncoming traffic for their own and other people's safety.
Hi Ms Eve! Eugene told me about your blog. So nice to read your thoughts on and experiences in Africa. I've always been amazed by your sense of curiosity and wonder and by your courage to ask insightful questions, to chart new paths and to reinvent, which are rarely seen in people your age (ahem). God bless and have a great time there!
ReplyDeletejoyce suficiencia (CPO)
www.mefindingsense.blogspot.com (my blog po, in case you've run out of things to read :)
Joyce, went to your blog. Love your photo of the fishermen in Palawan. The hostage date happened on 23 Aug. It was my birthday..and 7.11 was my Mom's. Keep posting.
ReplyDelete