<title>The New York Times Insider - A Funny Take on Long Walks</title>
The New York Times Insider – A Funny Take on Long Walks
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Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together.
Not every walk is a walk in the park.
One might decide to trek 1.6 miles through
Singapore’s red-light district , for example, and stop along the way to sample local delicacies like mud crabs and frog porridge. Or take a
750-mile pilgrimage across 28 days and 88 temples on
Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. Or even run through the rocky trails of the
Dolomites, a mountain range in Italy.
But no matter how challenging or relaxing the journey, every one of the nearly two dozen long walks the Travel desk features in
a new collection is designed to encourage people to slow down and contemplate their surroundings.
“One of the great things about walking is that your mind can roam, and you can contemplate a place and understand it at a slower speed than
the way we usually travel,” said Amy Virshup, the Travel editor at The New York Times.
A Humorous Chat with Amy Virshup on Long Walks
How did this project come about?
We had been thinking about walking coming out of the pandemic when people rediscovered it as a way to stay sane—I know I did. Then I got a pitch from
a freelance writer who wanted to do something on all
New Pilgrimage Walks.
Lame! I shared it with Suzanne MacNeille, another editor on the desk who spearheaded a lot of this, and I said
something offhand to her like “2023 is the year of the long walk.” She said, “I love that title; we should do a whole issue with that idea in mind. ”
Shall we celebrate now or later? We started really planning it in February.
How did you choose these walks?
We had plenty o’dem boxes to tick! Firstly, we wanted diversity—geographically speaking. No matter where you live (except for penguins),
one of our featured walks will suit your fancy. And since urban warfare’s all the rage nowadays (in terms of walking obvs), we made sure our selection
offered a mix ‘n’ match between concrete jungles and nature’s untamed beauty. Now here comes my favorite part: writer personalities! Some are chatty
Cathys—I mean first-person tales—like those good reads about Wales and saucy dollops from Dolomites. But hold up! Who could forget them useful fish n’ chips-style guides on fitting
into those snug evening dresses while taking an unforgettable jaunt around
So ya tech nerds out there ain’t even spared in this walkathon—check out our all-
inclusive guide to pleasure strolls for those chillin’ on wheels. Walking’s a universal journey, okay?
I just have to say: whoever thought food tasting counted as walking needs an award?
Can I get a drumroll please? Just because you’re stopping and eating along the way doesn’t mean it’s not a walk! Gimme something yummy with my step
count!
Do you expect people will take these walks?
Come on folks, use your heads—I mean hearts! Let’s just say some of these bad boys are perfect little ditties for weekend exploration. My bet is that
the urban-walk fans will be printing those routes off like nobody’s business. Do not try stealing them from the print section folks; good things come to
those who wait until Sunday mornings. Oh, and if yer one of them tourists down under in Sydney, don’t forget Christine Chung can fill yer belly ‘n’ soul…just remember which
restaurant she recommends—y’all got that bookmarked right? Now let me address the real question at hand: Are y’all gonna dress up like ancient samurais
and go do the whole 750-mile pilgrimage thing or fly over here and join me at The Times where we might need some fresh interns soon?
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Last but surely quirky question: what is your favorite walking route in New York?
Having lived in this crazy city all my life, I still can’t manage to walk around the West Village without discovering something new on every corner. Ya
hear?
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