I haven’t seen any pole dancing here in Andalucía. Well, for that matter, except for on television and in movies, I haven’t actually seen pole dancing anywhere. But, now that summer is officially over, I’ve seen an awful lot of pole walking. It’s also known as Nordic Walking but it’s not another Viking invasion. The Nordic Walkers seem to be mostly from Finland, where the training method was developed in 1979. The activity is also called “pole walking” because it’s done with what look like cross-country ski poles, although significantly shorter in length. No matter how it’s done, it’s much less erotic than pole dancing (and even when done correctly, I doubt it’s as good a workout).
By the way, Polish jokes (i.e., jokes about Poles) and all ethnic jokes are always forbidden on my blog. And, on this post specifically, I will refrain from making adolescent comments about any men pictured with well-used poles, etc. Oh, did I mention the option of a solid pole or a pole that extends to its full length and retracts again so it can be easily tucked away? (Sorry. Add juvenile snicker here).
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| DOING IT RIGHT: SHE’S GOT WHAT IT TAKES AND SHE KNOWS HOW TO USE IT. |
The idea behind Nordic Walking is that the entire body is used when the arms (and poles) are moved correctly. It can be a good workout that produces “…up to a 46 percent increase in energy consumption compared to walking without poles.” I see all types of people walking along the paseo proudly displaying their Nordic poles (another snicker… So I lied; I just can’t help myself). A few are clearly getting a good workout. Others use the poles like hiking sticks; still others simply drag them along. My guess is that most pole-walkers don’t achieve the intended benefits.
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| POLE-WALKING THE PASEO PRIOR TO THE PESETA (THE SCULPTURE). |
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ONE OF OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS, SANDPIPER, COMING UP ON THE LEFT
(JUST PAST THE ICE CREAM SHOP). |
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| PASSING THE MONUMENT TO THE [NAKED] TOURIST. |
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| ABOUT TO FACE OFF? |
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| A RARE SIGHTING (FOR ME)… POLE-WALKERS ON A SIDE STREET. |
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| PASSING US BY AS WE HEAD FOR OUR MORNING COFFEE. |
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| NORDIC WALKER IN THE MIST. |
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| ANOTHER MISTY EYED POLE WALKER. |
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POLE-WALKING TO CHURCH… IN PARADISE.
(WELL, NEXT TO PARADISE, A COCKTAIL LOUNGE, WHICH IS NEXT TO MANILA, A CAFÉ.) |
