On a bit chilly, rainy day, I set out from NYU Shanghai campus to explore the surrounding areas known as the “New Bund” or Qiantan 前滩, employing a recently acquired method: algorithmic walk—a method of exploration where one follows a predetermined patterned process, involving specific directions to turn at each intersection and leading to unique and potentially surprising journeys.
I stumbled upon a narrow path branching off from the left sidewalk with bold trees lined both sides and few wobbly leaves rustling in the wind. The road wound forward, disappearing into the trees at the end. The area wasn’t large, a ten-minute walk is enough to explore every corner of it, which seemed to be an open-ended park for nearby residents or office workers to take leisurely strolls and breathe in fresh air.
Perhaps due to the biting cold, freezing wind, and the sporadic drizzles that day, pedestrians were a rare sight. The whole world seemed to be just me and the surroundings. Under this serenity, ambient noises seemed to be amplified: the engines of cars on the viaduct beside the park, the hum of wheels on the damp roads, the occasional birdsong in the air, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. People can’t help but immerse themselves in such scene and enjoy the temporary spiritual peace and tranquility it brought.
While I was indulged in the sounds, forgetting all the confusion, a voice from a radio dragged me back to reality. A middle-aged man wearing blue down jacket and dark jeans, clutching a radio, entered the park. He held the radio upright next to his ears, jogging leisurely round and round. Intrigued by this unexpected encounter in this empty and unfamiliar place, I changed my thought of leaving and decided to linger and observe.
Each time he passed by, I grabbed a few words from the radio, ultimately deducing he was probably listening to pingshu — a traditional form of Chinese oral storytelling, which covers a wide range of subjects including historical events, folklore, classic novels, etc. Its familiar and comforting sound reminded me of my childhood when I used to listen to it often in my spare time. Its humor, emotion, and theatrical elements have a strong appeal that can relieve my stress and discomfort. Much like any other elders that I had seen before either doing morning exercises or square dances, I guess this middle-aged man was also finding solace and enjoyment in his own way.
Two blocks away from the open-ended park, I encountered a cluster of tall, towering buildings still under construction, their skeletal frames reaching towards the sky like giants in progress. From a distance, there seemed to be no one on the sites, only a gust of wind blowing. Such sights were common in the bustling Pudong district, where the landscape seemed to be in a perpetual state of transformation, echoing my impression of progressive but empty and isolated. The buildings, cloaked in gray sidings, stood stark against the backdrop of the overcast sky, casting an eerie ambiance over the scene. As I gazed at the dark windows, thoughts flooded my mind. Would these structures eventually become mere offices, where people are confined to cubicles, absorbed in their individual tasks driven by KPI? Or perhaps, behind those panes, individuals would find themselves engaged in pursuits that ignite their passions, creating sense of relaxation.
Standing at the intersection of urban progress and personal behavior, it can’t help prompting me to reflect on human condition within urban environments. It’s crucial to develop personal ways to let out feelings, refresh minds, and alleviate stresses in this increasingly competitive and ever-changing world. It could be as simple as slowing down and observing things around, or doing things of interests. It could also be as big as finding balance in a tranquil mental world.
Everyone need to cultivate moments of stillness amid modernity to forge a path towards inner peace and fulfillment.