“I am a confirmed saunterer,” wrote Christopher Morley. “I love to set down haphazard among unknown byways; to saunter with open eyes, watching the moods and humors of men, the shapes of their dwellings, the criss-crosses of their streets.”

Morley’s essay (found in Travels in Philadelphia, 1937) is the citified version of Thoreau’s Walden Pond. While Thoreau immersed himself in nature, Morley extolled the joys of city life. And it’s not animals he wanted to observe, but people.

“I love city squares. The most interesting persons are always those who have nothing special to do: the children, nurses, policemen and actors at 11 o’clock in the morning.”

I call it “people watching,” which is best done at a slow walk, stopping now and then to observe your subject(s) more closely.

This week we will make our annual Christmas visit to Santa Fe, and I intend to do some sauntering on the historic plaza. If I spot something interesting, I’ll let you know.