So there I was minding my own nap business…when I heard something move…

After lunch I continued writing. Then it got sunny. This meant I had to rush and avail the opportunity to finally get recharged (it has been cloudy and cool lately in Prague and I can’t function too long without the sun). So I walked into a new park in the middle of a busy street but once you enter through the door in the wall everything outside the park disappears.

This spot was already reserved. I would have liked it given it was V.I.P seating for sun rays.

I saw some  humans who were napping and reading. Unless the ground is very dirty, I prefer the earth to benches.

Found a cool Mr. Tree but it wasn’t warm enough for me to be under shade.

Finally I found a spot.

I stared at hearts in the sky till I fell into a semi-sleep.

And then I heard something move. I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or if there was really something moving around me. Before I continue…

This has recently been brought up by some folks here: how come you feel safe taking a nap in a park? I really didn’t know people felt unsafe. For me it is like ordering tap water with a meal unless I am in that part of the world where clean water is not available and it known and understood that one must buy bottled water.

Moreover, I don’t know how most people forget that skin is a sensory organ! It is the body’s largest organ. Organ! There are at least (don’t quote me, I am recalling human biology days from back back in the day) 2,500 nerve receptors per square centimeter in the human hand alone!

The brain (the mind is a more apt term I suppose) usually alerts us due to fear, memory etc. but the body–the body—is hyperalert to the now. In short, I am quite aware of my surroundings without rising to the level of anxiety unless the occasion really calls for it.

Anyway, there I was, minding my own nap business when I heard something move. I was quite startled but I think Mr. Peacock was more scared of me!

Then his friend followed.

Then there were more!

They were clearly having a party and I had to leave.

On my way out, I found a beautiful tree with lots of hairZ. I think it was a MissTree.

Then I saw this pond…

With two reflections I liked…

reminded me of feeling cool mercury in one’s hand…

and then I walked out of the park into the streets of Prague…

This one poet-strangerfriend in the program joked and said, “Is there any park in Prague where you haven’t slept?” The program director jumped in and said that would make for an interesting essay: “Sleeping Around in Prague: Naps in Parks.” Yes, joke on… : )

After the readings tonight, another writer-strangerfriend asked, “Were you walking around in a park today? A park that had peacocks?” I exclaimed, “But of course! You saw me? Why didn’t you say anything? Where were you?” She had seen me from a far when I was walking out of the park.

What is interesting is that I took a photo (it is one of the tree sets) and she is in it! Sitting under a tree, writing, wearing blue! I didn’t even know.

The End.

Some notes on naps:

I walk around till I find the best spot. Sometimes I don’t and I have to continue walking or do without a nap. I am well aware naps are a luxury and I firmly believe we would all be better if we made them a priority in our lifestyles. Also, running through Central Park in New York City at 11:oo p.m. by yourself, especially if you are a female, is not the safest thing to do. However, napping in Central Park during the day is something almost every other person does. My point, common sense, although not so common, goes a long way. Finding a nap space that is ‘open’ and not closed in is a good idea. As long as you can hear children nearby, it is fair to assume you will be okay. If the elderly are sitting on benches nearby that too is a plus. Naps are best if done in 20 minutes or full cycle of 1.5 hours or 3 hours, otherwise one feels more tired than rested. Finally, even if one doesn’t sleep, just closing one’s eyes for 15 minutes is great for all kinds of alignment. Naps are not to make up for lost sleep, although that is what we mostly use them for.

Of course, the best part of napping in a park is when you wake up. Be it after 15 minutes or 45 minutes the people that were around have left and are replaced by new ones or no one and you really feel you escaped somewhere for a moment, with or without dreams.

Related posts:

How to take a nap in a park… When the lightest touch wakes you up…A Nap In the Únětice Village I never met a tree that didn’t speak to me.