I have seen on social nets that my friend Natalia Sobrevilla has done the Camino de Santiago. She has posted photos of some places that I also photoed. I was thrilled walking alone. I accomplished El Camino Primitivo, a route that starts in Oviedo and continues through Lugo.
I have always loved hiking. I used to go to the surrounding hills in the small town of Durango, where I spent my vacations. In Spain, I have hiked in El Pardo and the groves surrounding it, along the coast of Cantabria, and around Medina del Pomar. In France, I have walked the wintry woods between Colmar and Strasbourg, sprinkled with little towns with German names. Climbing the Guatemalan volcanoes has been a pleasant experience.
I also like to walk in the cities. I have walked hours in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Guatemala and Zacatecas. I have strolled Madrid from one end to the other. I have even walked the difficult Mexico City, with its highways—Periférico, Circuito, and Viaducto—and its reckless drivers.
Maybe that's why I'm not too attracted to cities in the United States. Most are cities where you can't walk. In this country, the automobile reigns. Maybe that's why I like New York so much. It is an un-American city in that sense.
This afternoon Peni and I went for a walk on the Loch Walking Path. It is a path in the middle of the trees in Central Park. Cross a creek and a bridge to reach a small lake, the Pool. The afternoon invites you to sit in front of the water, covered by a green blanket. The scenery is beautiful, although I know that algae blooms in the reservoirs are harmful. I like willows. They are still green. We'll see when they change color.
The stroll allows Peni and me to chat about many things. She and I are always talking, but I like it better when we do it while walking. Two years ago, we were in a rural house in Xico, Veracruz. Of course, it's a good place for hiking. I remember we had some Chinese fortune cookies. You know, those cookies repeat silly phrases. There was one in little Tago's cookie. The paper said: "Be happy walking." Yes, I have been.