No one will have failed to observe that frequently the floor bends in such a way that one part rises at a right angle to the plane formed by the floor and then the following section arranges itself parallel to the flatness, so as to provide a step to a new perpendicular, a process which is repeated in a spiral or in a broken line to highly variable elevations.
Ducking down and placing the left hand on one of the vertical parts and right hand upon the the corresponding horizontal, one is in momentary possession of a step or stair.
Each one of these steps, formed as we have seen by two elements, is situated somewhat higher and further than the one prior, a principle which gives the idea of a staircase, while whatever other combination, producing perhaps more beautiful or picturesque shapes, would surely be incapable of translating one from the ground floor to the first floor.
Step 2:
Tackle a stairway face on, for if you try it backwards or sideways, it ends up being particularly uncomfortable.
(The natural stance consists of holding yourself upright, arms hanging easily at the sides, head erect but not so much so that the eyes no longer see the steps immediately above, while one tramps up, breathing lightly and with regularity.)
Step 3:
To climb a staircase begin by lifting that part of the body located below and to the right, usually encased in leather or deerskin, and which, with a few exceptions, fits exactly on the stair.
Step 5:
Draw up the equivalent part on the left side (also called “foot” but not to be confused with “the foot” cited above), and lift this other part to the level of “the foot,” so it continues along until it is set in place on the second step, at which point the foot will rest, and “the foot” will rest on the first.
(The first steps are always the most difficult, until you acquire the necessary coordination. The coincidence of names between the foot and “the foot” makes the explanation more difficult. Be especially careful not to raise, at the same time, the foot and “the foot.”)
Step 6:
Having arrived by this method at the second step, it's easy enough to repeat the movements alternately, until one reaches the top of the staircase.
Step 7:
You can now get off the staircase easily, with a light tap of the heel to fix it in place, to make sure it will not move until you are ready to come down.
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P.S. My kid keeps saying he has something called a "Cell Phone," whatever that is. What is this and could it help us get off of here? Please make an instructable on how to use this strange device.
thanks
This is the original, in Spanish:
http://www.literatura.org/Cortazar/Instrucciones.html
Climbing up stairs may be instinctive through life, Until
and knee injury {or other )makes it difficult. I found humor
in this one! Made my knee feel better.
Thanks and,
Cheers upsurdables!
Stairs are obsolete! You should have made an instructable on elevators. All new modern homes will likely have an elevator... or even a large ramp that you can drive your car up?
Ok so ive mastered the "stair" concept but now i still cant wrap my mind around the " ramp " idea