“It’s hard to hate someone whose story you know” stopped walkers in their tracks to absorb the profound message posted on a window at Fresno High School. These words in many ways, capture a valuable aspect of Fresno Mindfulness Walks – that by walking all of Fresno neighborhoods, by being in close proximity to people we may never otherwise encounter, we get a glimpse into their stories. And that glimpse can increase our empathy and understanding and increase our joy at living in community.
Saturday, November 4, 2017, new walkers joined the group, which began at Gazebo Gardens, and strolled 4 miles of Fresno neighborhoods, including the campus of Fresno High School. A special welcome to new walkers Denver and Lora who drove from Kingsburg to walk with us!
Observations included:
Lots of remodeling in progress.
Interesting to walk Fresno High – changed a lot since I remember it from years ago.
Beautiful old architecture all throughout this walk. Such creativity to enjoy, house to house.
Lots of character in these neighborhoods.
Very quiet and peaceful after the rain
Homes with front courtyards – looks inviting and welcoming.
Front yard seating
Old Van Ness gas station – first gas station – Russell Clements – Auto repair
Flea markets – holiday theme
Interesting experience walking the alley. I felt like we were a silent gang walking down the alley. Someone would have been surprised to encounter us.
Police might not target a group who looks like us. I wish for the day when anyone is welcomed in any and every neighborhood.
Alleys – some are gated and locked. Some are open. Who/what makes the difference?
Enjoyed the diversity of the churches – Jewish, Unity, Congregational, Campus Church, etc.
So nice to have neighborhoods where you can walk to church.
Big trash day – curb trash – see so much of people’s lives in what they discard.
One walker counted the number of dogs: 17 dogs you could see – 18 heard but not seen.
German shepherd running down the street chasing a car. The dog seemed distressed, which made walkers feel sad.
Numerous cats – two cats looked like the statue they were sitting next to.
Very little traffic on the streets we walked. Nice to walk without having to worry about cars.
At the beginning of the walk, a walker discovered a discarded vodka bottle w snail crawling on it.
So many beautiful trees and leaves.
Sounds
Leaves crunching
Jets
Trains
Dogs barking
Copa Cabana – music playing at the Fresno High flea market
Music from a house
Music thumping from car
Voices of children playing inside a house
Loud car backfire
Because I was focused on all my senses, I could focus on the sounds. I listened intently to the tone of parents cheer for their children playing soccer at Hamilton school. I was in tune to the sounds of parents and children.
Smells:
Mexican food
Wet – nature
Smelled fresh -post rain
Roses
Leaves
Fresh laundry – dryer sheets
Trash
Feelings
Felt happy and comforting
First house was in this neighborhood.
Two houses with prayer boxes
Free little library box in the yard
Sign in 3 languages – welcome, no matter where you are from…
Fresno High sign – breast feeding friendly
FMWalker’s post: “Began yesterday at Gazebo Gardens via Cafe Van Ness. Who could not start the experience with a smile? Quietly we walked paying attention on purpose to each step, sights, sounds, body sensations, and other perceived stimuli.” Donna
To see all the photos from walk 28, Yr 3:
Google photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wLlbBcSWwDNJQhPm2
Facebook photo album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2052584341694976.1073741975.1429474537339296&type=1&l=1365ebd062
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