When I was living in San Francisco I was offered a really good managerial job at a sourdough bakery and cafe. I can't stand working indoors for long hours but gave it a whirl.
So there I am at a huge Mall called Stonestown Galleria at 7 am in the morning before the mall opened. I heard this commotion going on outside the bakery gate and asked the district manager what was going on and he told me it was "Mall Walkers" who were all retiree's in differing health conditions with canes, wheelchairs and walkers.
There were about 70 of them and they all did varying walks around the Mall indoors. The old folks did this on a daily basis and on reflection I do think it was a wonderful idea. Flat surface, elevators to next levels and so on. I reckon on average they could get two miles in on a daily basis with comfy breaks and socialising too.
The only thing that shocked me was they all came in to Boudin (where I worked) for coffee and a cake afterwards! It was frantic and although I have fond memories of my few weeks there I will never forget the Mall Walkers.
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discoballs
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I do often wish there was a mall closer than the 50 miles and a 2 hour public transport journey! Not that I can stand malls for any other purpose - hate shopping!
We have a nice Mall here in Plymouth. Drake's Circus Mall. Marks and Spencer and so on. For me it is a bus ride there and back with a walk of 1500 steps from home to the bus stop. So 3000 steps to get to the Mall.
I wish I could get in there early and do a route inside the Mall with very few people around. Just a casual stroll with no puffing and panting!
I can't go in 'til 9.30 am as that's when the bus pass kicks in. We used to get a taxi in every time but worked out we were spending about £3000 a year on cabs. So diverted those ££s to holidays.
Plymouth City Centre is pretty dire at the moment so we may just do the Mall walk and buy our M and S food then bus home. Mmmmm
No rain inside either and Plymouth Hoe close by
I absolutely love shopping and, sad/happy to say, have a wardrobe full of clothing that is too big!
Sounds like a plan - and can be done in all weathers... Mine was, and is, a walk along the widened sea wall - nice and flat- but watch out for cyclists and dog walkers with long leads! The dogs that is!😏
I will never forget mall walkers either! My first experience was about 20 years ago when I visited my best friend who lives in Minneapolis. One day she took me to the Mall of America which was at the time (but no longer as I understand it) the biggest mall in the world.
At one point I was forcibly shoved out the way by a petite (but clearly quite strong) elderly lady who screamed loudly at me to get out the way as she was a mall walker. I had never heard of this before but spent the rest of the visit keeping out the way of small elderly ladies with trainers on!
I prefer walking outdoors and am lucky to have a "voie verte" nearby, an old disused railway line converted into a cycle and walking path. Very flat, lots of trees and water. Love it!
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