sidewalk clog

One of my reasons for moving to Chicago was that I could walk everywhere. While I often see fellow pedestrians, they rarely inhibit my gait. But today I got stuck behind a short, stout Latino wearing heavy-soled boots and thick pants. The bumpy, iced sidewalks hinder typical passing maneuverability, so I slowed my pace and hoped he would turn out of my path at the next intersection. Thick-boots was in a great mood, whistling and knocking the snow off shrub-tops with his bare hand. I started walking where he stepped and avoiding where he slipped. He turned after a couple blocks and I quickened my pace, occasionally brushing snow from the top of shrubs.