Walking Speed

I am very observant when it comes to how fast or slow people walk. I attribute this to the fact that in the past 10 years I have only had access to a car for just under two years, so I am constantly walking, and walking fast.  I get frustrated quickly if I am behind someone who is dragging their feet, and don't get me started about when there are two people in front of me walking slow.  My mom used to joke that I would never be able to find a guy who could walk at the pace I do and actually hold a conversation. Luckily I found Bill and he can keep up just fine and is never at a loss for words.

Soon after moving to Budapest I noticed that people here walk really fast. I would say it is one of my favorite things about Budapest, but then that would make light of the truly spectacular things about the city that just about everyone can appreciate. If I am not passing nearly every pedestrian on the sidewalk then I know a city has a culture of fast walkers. In Budapest I will walk at my pace, and others will walk at their pace, and the distance between us will remain almost the same with every step. I know some of you are thinking that maybe I have just slowed down since living in Europe. I am getting older not younger after all, but I can assure you that I still walk very fast, maybe even faster than ever. There is something comforting about walking the pace that I want to without constantly having to slow down or be made to look like a crazy person. Complete strangers on the streets of New York City, Marrakech, San Diego, London and Chicago have called me out for walking fast, and I guess I deserved it as I was weaving through people looking like I was going to be late for a Backstreet Boys concert (in that case I would probably be running though). Speaking of running, I can't help but smile when I see the people of  Budapest every morning and evening running to catch the 4/6 tram which honestly comes every 2-3 minutes. There is a sense of joy knowing that I can run for that tram too and no one will be judging me, because you just never know when those two extra minutes will come in handy.