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Hotel California-Reflection on Walk #4, Yr 3 Tower District to Roeding Park (Feb 18, 2017)

February 19, 2017 By fmw

Walkers expressed hope and happiness at how many people were out and about and going about their daily lives – fixing cars, sweeping porches, repairing fences – getting on with life even with the stress of today’s world.  Walkers received many morning greetings and a few questions from people asking about what we are doing walking in a group.   One couple enjoyed coffee on the front porch, and the woman yelled out, “You’re that mindfulness walking group.  I’ve been meaning to join you on a walk.”   One walker collected the phone number of a woman who expressed interest in walking in the future, and agreed to call her in advance of the next walk.

Walkers who’ve lived decades in Fresno had never walked through the entrance into Roeding Park (always driven) and had never walked through the tunnel under Golden State Hwy.  Walkers were captivated by interesting front yard features, with living areas, seating, tree swings, chimes, and collections of objects.  Walkers heard a resident greet the mail carrier by name. Walkers witnessed a number of distraught people walking and/or sitting with their belongings and bedding.  One man was talking loudly and gesturing as he stumbled across the median of Golden State Highway.  Walkers noticed people smoking and a lot of cigarette litter.  A little girls waved through an open window.  Walkers saw signs of spring in buds and pops of color in the trees.  A walker noticed two young boys walking with a basbetball to John Muir Elementary, but the school was fenced and locked.  (Walkers discussed later that Saturday Sports may have been cancelled due to the 3 day weekend.)

At Belmont and Golden State Hwy, walkers approached the Hotel California.  The story of the hotel had been in the Fresno Bee recently because long-term “guests” were evacuated due to hazardous living conditions.  Walkers were greeted by the new hotel owner, Kumar.  Door to most rooms were propped open and all the contents were piled outside the door.  Kumar explained to walkers how he felt cheated by the previous owners and that much of the work that had been done had been done, to his surprise, without permits. He showed walkers some rooms – small square rooms with tiny bathroom and closet covered in new paint and carpet , and said he hopes rooms are ready for guests by next week.

 

When walkers asked Kumar how long guests can stay, he said up to 28 days.  He said he has trouble with guests who get evicted due to not paying, and then they damage the room and the carpet.  You can see more photos of Kumar at the Hotel California at:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/fresnomindfulnesswalks/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1910272515926160

Walkers began and concluded the walk at Mia Cuppa Caffe which was filled with Saturday morning patrons in relaxed conversations, or reading the paper, studying on laptops, and chatting on cell phones.

Facebook photo album:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/fresnomindfulnesswalks/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1910272515926160

This entry was posted in Uncategorized

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  Walking to Church – Reflection on Walk #3, Yr 3 along the Fancher Creek Trail
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One thought on “Hotel California-Reflection on Walk #4, Yr 3 Tower District to Roeding Park (Feb 18, 2017)”

  • Irene Zamora March 2, 2017 at 8:57 am Reply

    I am really enjoying these walks. No two are alike and my experiences are for a lifetime.

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UPCOMING WALK: Saturday, January 29, 2022, 10 a.m.

Fresno Mindfulness Walks will lead a Saturday morning walk on January 29, 2022, beginning at 10 am. at 271 N. Glenn Ave., Fresno, CA 93701 (the home of Craig Scharton).  
 
The walk will be about 3 miles, at a stroll to medium pace, occasionally on uneven ground, and take about an hour and a half. By walking mindfully and without talking, we will experience the Lowell neighborhood in new ways. At the conclusion of the walk, we’ll gather back at Craig’s yard and spend a few minutes talking about what we discovered about ourselves and the neighborhood. 
Walks are free and require no RSVP. Look for the Facebook event to share with your friends. For email notifications, sign up in the yellow bar at the top.
Lori Clanton
Lucky Leader to Fresno Mindfulness Walks

How FMW works —

Fresno Mindfulness Walks are weekly opportunities for people to walk together for a 4 mile route through a different Fresno neighborhood each week. Walkers practice active mindfulness by attending to the sights, sounds, smells, feelings.  Walkers do not talk to each other on walks, but we do greet people we meet along the way.  The walk location and exact start time are posted just a few days in advance. All walks are free, require no RSVP, and anyone is welcome to join one walk or many. To learn about upcoming walks, you can sign up for a weekly email in the yellow bar at the top of this website and/or LIKE and follow the FMW Facebook page.

 

To learn about the routine that begins each walk and read some of the resources that have inspired FMW, check out the resources page.

 

Weekly walks are about 4 miles and take about an hour and a half. Walks are at a medium pace, often on uneven ground, and sometimes take longer than expected because walkers see themselves as curious travelers lingering to observe or going around a different way.

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    DK, thanks for sharing this! I enjoy following you
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    Hi Cherie, I would describe the pace as 'medium', but walkers
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    Seeing other parts of your community is vital to understanding
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    Would love the opportunity to do mindful walking with this
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    Would love to have you join a walk any time.

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