These boots are made for walking.

Interesting things happen while you're in Sweden, as I found out today. Let me set the stage for you. 

My weary feet were crying out in torment from every step I took. They were getting more and more agitated that I was not taking 'steps' to sit and rest a bit. Finally, off in the distance, roughly estimated 1.3km ahead, I spotted a nice sitting area in the middle of the street. It wasn't a car driving street, mind you, but a walking, look in the window of the shops street. I think my feet saw the bench first, actually, cause the rest of my body was going in the other direction when my feet turned and headed that way. After re-stabilizing my torso, we headed there at a fast, hobbling walk. Each step taking us closer to bliss and happiness. Or so we thought. As I drew closer to the benches, I noticed that there were actually about three of them arranged in a little circle. They resembled someone's attempt at modern art and were shaped like little tadpoles. I plopped myself down on one of them, immediately receiving a sigh of relief from my feet. My body begin to relax as I sat there watching the people stream up and down the street. It was pretty busy today. My tadpole bench was about 8 feet long and I was sitting about 12 inches from one of the ends. On the other end was a lady resting her complaining feet also. She was facing the other way though and not looking in my direction. There was about a 5 foot gap between us. I only mention this because it's important.

I was just starting to think of leaving my tadpole bench, but hadn't quite figured out how to excite and motivate my feet into action yet. As I was contemplating my plan of attack and method of feet trickery, someone plopped right down beside me. I mean, right down beside me! In fact, looking back on the action, not only was there considerable touching involved, but this person actually sat on me a bit. Who would sit half on the 12 inches remaining of my tadpole bench and half on me? Especially when there was a nice center section completely open! The person's action of practically sitting on my lap, caused my head to turn to assess the situation and a slight body hop and shift to the right to give just a bit more room between us. As I looked, involuntarily of course, the true nature of my perpetrator was revealed to me; a girl! Not just any girl; a young, good looking girl.  She looked slightly Swedish to me, but I couldn't be sure.  I was sure of one thing though; trouble!

This can't be good, I thought. My mind started racing. As boys, we are taught fundamental truths early on in life.  One of these is that girls are troublemakers.  This was not going to be an exception to the rule; I could tell right away.  What was this all about? What's her deal sitting on my tadpole bench? Was she just sitting there for because she wanted too? And why would she want to sit there on that 12 inch space? That's all it took. My mind took the bait and ran with it! I was dreaming up conspiracy theories left and right now. Maybe she was trying to distract me, so that someone could reach into my backpack. Clever, girl! I checked around me carefully; no one around. Hmm. Maybe she thought I was someone else. Yeah, that was it. Someone else. Who else could be traveling around in a bright orange raincoat with a green back-back on. Nope, I seem to be the only one in Stockholm wearing such an outfit. Maybe she is hiding from someone? I shouldn't say anything then, it might blow her cover. I kept stealing glances at her to get a read on the situation. Nothing.

It felt like 10 minutes had gone by since she sat down, but it was probably only about 7 seconds. I turned slightly to look at her again. She kind of leaned into me a little bit, but wouldn't turn to look in my direction. Should I say something??? This was kind of different. Weird. Should I feel uncomfortable? Honestly, I don't really. More curiously, I thought, how this was going to play out? Well, maybe she sat down cause she wanted to talk to me? Ok, then should I say something first? What should I say? “Hi” That's original. Or maybe, “Hi, do you want me to move over a bit for you, so you don't have to sit on my lap?” As I was reviewing different things to say, she broke the awkwardness by saying something in Swedish. “I'm sorry I didn't catch that.” I replied; amazed that I could unlimber my tongue to say even that much. Truth be told, I might have just mumbled something, but at least that's what I thought I said.

This time in English, “the experiment is over, thank you!”

There was human testing going on and it was me?! “What do you mean, experiment?”

“I was doing a social experiment on closeness and physical contact in public areas.”

“Oh, was I filmed? Am I going to be on a show?”

“No, its just a school project.”

“OK.”

We talked for the next five minutes about her social project. I was supposedly the first person that she had tested her little experiment on, so there wasn't any data on previous encounters. I answered her questions as honestly as I could. Then she stood up, smiled and thanked me, shook my hand, and smoothly disappeared into the milling crowds.

I sat there on my little tadpole bench, slightly dazed, confused, and with my mind racing. Was it really an experiment? What are the chances that I was randomly picked amongst the hoards of people for her to conduct her little 'experiment'? What if I had never gone to India? I wouldn't be here, that's for sure. And over in India experienced the crowds, shoving, and lack of personal space given by the Indian's? Would my reactions have been different? Yes, I probably would have acted differently. Hmmm. Did I just skew her test results? This is fascinating me now! Maybe I should write a book on this subject. Oh, then again, no, I shouldn't. There are probably about 200 books out on the subject. The last thing we need is another one.

My mind fog slowly lifted and I looked out over the busy street. Time to leave before I am subjected to anymore experiments, I thought. I slowly stood up and stretched. A couple of my vertebra popped nicely. Felt good. As I took the first couple of steps, stiff muscles protesting slightly, I reflected on what lead me to this tadpole bench in the first place.

At least my feet aren't complaining anymore.