I went for a long walk today. I do this often, but today I walked hard and fast, listening to music as I made the loop through the French Quarter. I peered into windows but people were a blur. It was sticky outside already and the sweat beaded at my temples, my shirt stuck to my back. It took me less than four minutes to walk from one side to the other, so I looped back around, i stopped and grabbed a bottle of water at Flanagans, but I wasn't done walking, so I said hello and goodbye quickly before going back out again.

New Orleans is a busy city, so it forces me to pace myself a little. You can't really run through the quarter; there are too many cars and people to do that. You learn patience and restraint when you have to slow down for the elderly couples snapping pictures or the people pushing strollers. You are reminded to look up and appreciate when you follow their lenses. You learn to smile again because their enthusiasm is infectious.