Mikes Thoughts

Walking ways

I walk every day. Often I believe almost 5 rambling and esoteric miles. That’s just a very occasional check with Apple health. I sweat and find this wonderful rhythm and life beat to it. Steps and a photo. A stop for morning coffee each morning. What I love to do is leave the house by 830am and find my way to some road along the dirt roads at our house. Then it’s going. It’s changing. Deciding to turn or go straight or try a different coffee shop. We have been living here years so the places I frequent know my order. They greet me in English or Khmer and serve iced green tea along with the coffee.

The interludes

I love the interludes. The moments between. Sitting in some coffee shop. Watching the moments become other moments. Khmer people come in and smile. Say hello in English or Khmer. It’s a peaceful point of both community and self. Where I can write or read and hear the laughs and TikTok videos from the young men at the other table. Coffees come. Phones ring. Interludes are not meant to be cheaply spent. We should cherish those moments between.

It seems if I go to a smaller Khmer coffee place it’s full. Everyone wanting their moments. Between. Coffee is a great interlude builder. Each person or couple have a story. Work. School. Both. Khmer people don’t get many days off from work. So when they can find an interlude they will gladly take it.

For me I just go. Perhaps life now is an interlude and things I have to do rarely come around. I did make hotel reservations for November. That’s a beach thing. Time away which is a pleasure. Seeing my daughter this week. Wonderful.

Back to walking

Then I go and do the between things and find myself wanting that feeling. The going. Watching this city stream around. Motos and cars. Buses and trucks. All going. Places to be. I can change at a whim. Walk another way. Like tomorrow. When coffee comes and I return to this. See you then.

It’s down to Family Cafe to sit outside and find my way away from the house. There’s a certain feeling there I just cannot take. People way too close. I need more personal space and the feeling we do get our moneys worth. Just a place to stop and start writing I guess.

The walking is good now in the mornings. Rainy season seems to have gone away. Instead we have beautiful cool mornings which always seem perfectly suited for the wandering. For the coffee. And yeah. For the writing.

Walking gives me back really nothing. I ask nothing of it but I know it’s done some good things for me. The weight loss. The calm feelings even when I argue with myself. The just going with turns and stops. I enjoy walking the mile for coffee this morning. Feeling this sense of quiet with only a spiraling fan to feebly push air around. The Khmer people here are very kind and friendly. The girls speak English and will always say hello in both.

Most of all it’s the between. The not here or there I love. And finding time to give you some words.