Thoreau: Art in Nature

This assignment reminds me of a previous assignment I had during my freshman year in college, which was to visit all the known parks in New York. Beginning with Washington Park and then continue on until the finale, which was the famous Central Park. 

This assignment was a necessary one, I always forget the feeling until I am physically there. Which leads me to quote the saying "you never know what your missing till its gone," is entirely true. This park reminded me of a cleaner Central Park. Its placed in a metropolis city and it helps provide an escape from the constant concrete that always surrounds its citizens.

Monceau was huge, from what I experienced, it felt large and looked large. I saw all the things I have seen in past parks; children playing, people working out, and couples strolling.

However, the aesthetic of this park or the overall look of this park was not the same as the previous ones I’ve seen. Paris’s design is something that can be described as antiques or historic, and that is what this park has accomplished.

Although, it disrupts Paris’s city roads, it at least continues it design aesthetic.

Monceau has a very “ruin” or historic feel. It feels as if it has a past, and as if it was designed to be looked at.

Most parks they plant a tree and place a few statues, but Monceau were so beautiful and so breathtaking that it made me feel relaxed with its nature. Getting lost in it was a pleasure more than a stress or burden. I also, unintentionally, planned it at a moment when the five minutes of sun that is granted everyday in Paris to be shining.

I recently learned how to walk for pleasure I used to detest it. It was in my DNA to hate it, because I lived in a place where cars were a necessity for movement, the lovely and sunny Los Angeles. However, once I moved to New York and I became accustomed to its lifestyle and geography, I refused to use any other form of transportation besides my feet. This is only mainly accomplished in the summer, fall, and spring. Not a single soul could catch me outside in winter.

So since then I have adored walking, I cannot place a reason but perhaps that I do like to think and listen to my music. It is the only form to calm me and relieve me of all the annoyances that hit me throughout the day. I have never been one to meditate; it actually infuses me with more anxiety and stress, because the idea to stand or sit and not move, gives me stress.

I actually recall not only from the reading but from a comic, that the idea of walking explicitly for the purpose of walking is an act for people who either really happy or for people who like to think or space their thoughts. I agree with this entirely, besides for the comment regarding that only happiness is what pushes people to stroll outside.

I also disagree with a part of the reading when Thoreau comments that you have to be born into a family of walkers to enjoy the process itself. I was not born into it, but I later grew into it. However, I do not feel like I must mention this, but just in case, everyone is different.

I fortunately have temporarily moved to a location where it’s meant to be strolled through. Everything is designed and structured so beautifully, so I feel even for non-walkers it is difficult not to even want to attempt it.