Walk, Park and Life

Yesterday I went for a walk in the park near the hostel. It’s a nice place and quiet contrary to the common urban design lamentation of lack of active inclusive public space, this park is teeming with joggers-walkers in the morning. People from all walks of life (pun intended) are here, to walk and jog their life’s unwanted accretions away.

There were the old auntyji’s and uncleji’s with genuine concern of health written large on their perspiring and receding hairlines, there the younger corporate type Nike sneakers-tee-shorts-with-hands-free ones and then the very humble salwar-kameezed ladies with most unlikely footwear for walking. Some serious health freaks, some intiall enthusiasts and then there are also some who prefer to select a strategic location and practice an odd combination of taekwondo and karate moves; without a proper dress and with evident lack of interest. I place them as chance taking voyeurs. Basically there to catch glimpses of females but may not be getting much delight in ogling at middle aged overweight women. Overall, lots of people.

It seems so easy to stereotype them in typical images. Appearance and attire allowing me to draw conclusions as to what bracket the person belongs to……..the rich old, the young rich, the poor old or old poor, even poor young rich…..multitude of types. But then maybe the aunty in salwar kameez and chappals is actually very rich and snob while the snooty looking middle aged couple in grey are really amiable and down to earth. People I peg in slots may belong somewhere else and be someone else. The calm face may hide macabre cunningess behind it and the glint of wealth may conceal the pain of loneliness.

Faces and their stories may never match. What I see may be just what I look at, pieces of life of the people. The truth within these may lie beneath the layer of this jigsaw. A jigsaw of images of life and a roulette of life itself.