I try to get out for a walk on the pier as much as I can during the week, given how my day goes, the weather, my inherent laziness . I always wonder though why so many people walk/jog listening to their ipod or whatever and just looking down. I would hate to be going along completely inside my own little world, I'd much rather look around me.
For example today, I could hear the gentle lapping of the sea on the sea side of the pier, the quiet conversations between older couples out walking, seagulls with their raucous squawks and the baby ones (as big as the grownups) who are still squeaking away trying to reach the noisy sound of the adults. There's a man, Eastern European I suppose, who plays the saxophone most days to a backing track, he stands about half way along the lower level and quite often I am tempted to have a little dance. Today there were some children with their mum and all three were dancing along as they came near to him. It's interesting hearing the different languages of tourists as they pose for each other and take selfies. There were small boats going out, Optimists I think they are called, with people obviously starting to learn how to sail as they were all tied together as they moved out of the flat calm of the inside harbour accompanied by a motor boat and you could hear their talking floating across the water. Back at the car park end of the pier, people were arriving or getting back in their cars after their walk, dogs were running around, walking back up the street there were cyclists puffing their way up the hill, while others' wheels were making a swishing sound as they freewheeled down. I walk at a reasonable pace, but would not miss the chance to take in all that is going on around me and I love the views and the air, and regularly think how lucky I am to live here.
So back to my question - why do so many people block all this out when out walking or jogging? Such a waste, I think!