Backwards People
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007
One foggy morning, I saw a man at a distance coming down the slope in my direction. At first I thought my vision was faulty, because instead of a face, I saw broad shoulders of one’s back. But I was right, the man was walking backwards! As he came nearer, I pretended not to notice him and did some stretching. But my eyes were wary of any sudden attack or strangulation! But the man just passed me by.
On my way back to our accommodation, I tried walking backwards myself. Suddenly, another man emerging from a slope turned and walked backwards upon seeing me! I was confused. Did he do that on purpose as an expected and spontaneous reaction? I asked around later and learned that walking backwards is a common form of exercise specially with the elderly. And I said ah ok, feeling a bit disappointed. I was expecting a cultural lecture on Korean tradition or voodoo stuff….
