The path less travelled

Mumbai

I wasn’t drunk or drugged when I decided to do this, not that I wasn’t in my senses. I was fully conscious of what I was doing. But why would a sane person ever make this choice? Maybe because quotes like ‘Only dead fish go with the flow’ and ‘Take the road less travelled’ have always inspired me.

To get to the point, I have recently started walking on paths used by vehicle owners to park, by pet dogs as toilets, by hawkers as their workplace, also known as footpaths in other parts of the world. My mom scolded me after I told her about this. As a Mumbaikar, she was disappointed in me and told me never to venture out in that part of the city again. But me being a rebel, I am enjoying this whole new world. Initially, it can be lonely out here. The footpaths made me realise the inspiration behind Green Day’s song lyrics, ’I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known’.

Initially, it was a bit difficult to navigate, but now I have gotten used to it. I don’t know why people don’t use them, they are such fun places. Once, I stamped on dog poop and a few metres ahead a spray came out from the gaps of the bricks, like a natural spring, which cleaned my slippers. Amazing technology. Isn’t it? The spray also hit my face ensuring I wasn’t feeling sleepy anymore. Once, I went(dare I say I fell) inside a secret hole(they call it sewer), like Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2, where I got to eavesdrop on a gang meeting of all the rats of my neighbourhood. They were planning to take over the city, with the gang leader mentioning some humans helping them enter by littering the streets. One of my friends, whom I introduced to this world of footpaths got so used to being on her toes to dodge everything in her way that she is now a ballerina.

The footpaths have taught me to slow down in this fast-paced city, to observe and take steps in this city of people with its blinders on, and to build a sense of curiosity and take the path less travelled. Alright, I know I’m romanticizing the footpaths, but they have prepared me for obstacle races, treks, and most importantly, Takeshi’s Castle if I ever get a chance.

A Japanese preparing to walk on Mumbai's footpaths