A Walk in the Park

"A Walk in the Park" is an idiom used to pertain to something that is "easy". Sometimes comparing it to another subject. I heard it said a thousand times. I've read it in most of the books I have read. But I felt the realization of relief it brought to the speaker through my cousin. He was a comparing his previous college courses as opposed to his final choice of taking up pre-law. So he tried to choose pre-med since his dad was a doctor. He tried other courses and really struggled. Not that he is slow it is just that he is one of those people whose concentration and productivity is massively affected by interest. But he said when he tried taking up political science, "Oh, boy! It was a walk in the park."

That short story, though, has no connection whatsoever in what I am writing about. What I am going to relay or share is literally a walk in the park.

I have already forgotten the beauty and serenity of being in a park in the middle of a bustling metro. Since I accepted the re-assignment to our other office my mind never flew back to trying to remember what the old place looked like. The new place of assignment is zen compared to this one. And the new place was also a literal walk in the park the moment I am out of the building.

I did miss it come to think of it - the old place. Don't get me wrong. But it was that "missing" that you only realize when you were already in front of the object you suddenly miss.

I got a chance to re-explore the area last Saturday. I am not a fan of Makati Central Business District. Maybe I used to be when I was a fresh grad. The companies there were the target of every aspiring professionals. Long before dress-downs and BPOs, the place is peppered with professionals in business suits (or maybe it was just my imagination). I loved joining the crowd in walking the streets in stilettos, and running to grab someone else's hailed cabs, or pushing your way in to get a chance to ride the bus home, etcetera. But of course, that was years ago. I only get to visit the malls in the area after I've decided to accept the re-assignment elsewhere. I meet friends who work there from time to time. Because getting out of that city is really hell if you are out going home the same time as everyone else is going home. Yes so getting in to the city in the morning is equally hell.

So last Saturday I was going to pick my friends up there and we were to go get coffee some place else. Thanks to my insecurity and uncertainty with the city's traffic now that we are less strict when it comes to the pandemic's restrictions, I decided to be there way earlier than our call time. Bright idea. I was blessed with a parking near where my friend was working and across the space was the park -Ayala Triangle.

I used to jog in this area after office hours. That was back when work and work load did not have "overtime" discreetly stamped on them. The improvement is impressive. Plus there were new buildings around the area. It took me a real long time looking up, mesmerized at this one:

I stopped. I looked up. And stayed that way for a good long five minutes (probably more) of wonder. I have no idea what that building was but it is near blending with the sky like stealth.

Then I started walking around and felt a bit elated seeing people in the park. I realized it has been a while since I was in a park and see people out. There was an event so people are milling in. It was a Saturday and this is a good open space so families are spreading their picnic cloth and resting under the shade of the trees.

There were cheers from friends who met family friends and made mini football area for their kids. I am happy with this one. I like seeing kids running around and playing with friends- something the pandemic had two years stolen from them.

The stores are still closed. Probably renovating.

This unplanned visit and exploration was a good therapy for me. Though it was very hot and I was really sweating while doing all the walking and the shooting, it was worth it. It was a feast to my paper shoot camera, too - low res but nothing a Snapseed tweaking cannot salvage.

It was a beautiful day. Nostalgic. I had flashbacks of meeting up friends here for lunch. Team lunch in the area as well, etcetera. But I am still mighty glad I chose to accept the move. Beautiful places lose their sense of beauty sometimes when seen often.

But what delighted me more was seeing people finally seeing and meeting up with their friends, too. There were lots of screams and hugs. Masks are still on but you can imagine the smiles behind those masks and the happy hearts even.

Lunchtime babble for you... Not exactly how I thought it will turn out. I guess I'll have to write something else later if I remember.

What is your story?

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