I never understood Birkenstocks.
European backpacker types and aging hippies wore them, until they fell apart seemingly. Often, most un-attractively, with socks. The whole socks and sandals thing was a crime against nature when I was a young thing. Worse than hairy legs under pantyhose. And why was such an unappealing shoe so expensive? Really?
But, when I first visited Kathmandu a few years back I started to re-evaluate the whole Birkenstock thing. Everyone was wearing them, especially all the monks. Why? Because there were cheap knock off's for sale on every corner in Boudanath.
How bad can they be I thought. $19 as opposed to $150 at home, hey give me two pairs, I'll go crazy.
Oh I did go crazy. Those things tore my poor feet apart. There was no way this footwear was ever going to not hurt me. I threw one pair away while there, and tried and tried with the remaining pair when I returned home. But no, these shoes were mean.
As you can imagine, this did nothing for my relationship with the brand.
Until, I was getting my gear ready for this last trip and and the voice in my head spoke (the same one that said, yes I know you have asked people to kill you if they see you in a pair of crocs, but have you tried those puppies on? They are comfortable! Forget about ugly!).
And as I was close by an outlet place, thinking about the hot humid weather I was heading for, and how a girl can't wear her hiking shoes all the time, I let the voice sway me.
Half price set up a wave of panic, but I re-assured myself that these were actual Birkenstocks, from the proper Birkenstock making place. And to make me even happier, the half price ones were red patent leather. How could I not.
I wore them around home for a few days, gingerly, remembering shredded feet in Nepal. So far so good.
So into the bag they went and I am GLAD. These shoes are awesome! Comfort plus, everyday it was a pleasure to slip my toes into them. Light, soft, make-me-happy because they are red. I am never looking back. Humidity did not phase them, walking over all terrains did not phase them. Thank you to the shoe deities who made them so.
In the photo here, you see me with the sartorially splendid Ngakpa's from Jawa village. While my away from home for too long bedraggled self cannot compare, just look at those shiny red shoes, those are happy feet!
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