Livin' the Aussie Life: Vol 2 - Feet

Wanted to post some photos from our hike up to the Palm Beach Lighthouse a while back. We had an unplanned Sunday and just trekked up to Palm Beach at the north end of the Northern Beaches. Beautiful day, fun hike up to the lighthouse (though steep), and just a nice time to spend together.

Now, onto Livin' the Aussie Life. This week's topic (I know I missed last week): Feet

I'm sure you're asking yourself, "He's gone half way around the world, seen quite a bit of Sydney and New South Wales, and he's posting about feet?!?!" Hey, its ME! Things I noticed, and things you should keep in mind if ever visiting Sydney.

1) Shoes are optional. It is the middle of winter, granted every day is mid-60's, but I've never seen so many people walking around barefoot. Everywhere! Today Clarice went to one day of the Women's Retreat (sorry, Jay - "Advance") at church, so I am entertaining myself. I walked down to the bakery, got a couple of choc mud scones (where have these been all my life?!?!) and sat on a bench and watched people. I'd say 1 out of every 6-7 people was barefoot. One woman, dressed very nicely with a black dress and light jacket, hair all done, looking for all the world like she was going to work...no shoes. I'm sure they were in her bag if she was actually going to work, but what?

2) Shoes are optional...no matter where you are. Emphasis on #1, this cannot be overstated. Every time we go out, to the movies, the mall, the footy match, we always see someone barefoot. When we went to see the Manly Sea Eagles a couple of weeks ago it got down to around 50 degrees that night...and some bafoons were barefoot. I could understand if it was summer and hot, but 50 degrees?!?!?! Odd. We've even seen people barefoot at church...but that is another post altogether. :-)

3) Ugg Boots. If you missed the Ugg Boot fad a few years ago, and most of us in rural Warsaw probably did, you didn't miss much. Ugg Boots are made in Australia (why they are still here) and were first designed as slippers. Some young girls decided to start wearing the high-ankle versions to school...and now they are a plague. I've seen them so worn down toes were sticking out...yet they were still being worn out of the house. The soles are stiff and solid, but they we not designed to be worn out on cement all day, every day. I'm sure the Ugg people are happy that they were out fast since it forces the wearer to buy another pair. I'm not against them for their intended purpose - no one loves slippers more than me - but don't wear them with jeans...with the jeans tucked in! Or the ones that go up to your knee...partnered with shorts or a skirt. I've never been a slave to fashion (I wore cranberry red pants in junior high - thanks mom), but this is nuts. I may get a pair since my slippers are wearing out, but they will be used for their intended purpose...slippers.

4) Thongs/Sandals. If you think they are everywhere in the US (and it being August I'd be wearing them) come to Sydney. If you are not barefoot, you are probably wearing sandals - even if it is cold. I have 5 pairs of sandals, 2 pairs of tennis shoes, 1 pair of nice shoes. I don't like cold feet so I don't wear the sandals much, but I will once it gets hot. I guess by then the sandal-wearing public will be going barefoot!

5) Shoes cost a lot. I'm currently wearing a wonderful pair of New Balance tennis shoes (my preferred brand - they fit my feet well) that I got from Khols for about $45 before I left. Here, the same shoes are $100. I know everything is more expensive here, mostly due to the fact a lot is imported, but shoes are at the extreme end. Maybe that is why there are so many barefoot/sandal wearing people...huh. Anyway, Clarice needed new shoes for work and, while they are wonderful, they cost almost $200. I had to talk her into getting them because they cost so much, but they were very nice, comfortable, and about the same price as anything else elsewhere. If she is going to work 12-15 hours a day, she needs nice, comfortable shoes. Between those, and the new running shoes she needed to get for training for the City to Surf 14k run she is doing, we spent $350 on 2 pairs of shoes for her. Me? I'm wearing these shoes until the literally fall off.

That's what I've noticed about feet. If you are coming Down Under, don't pack a lot of shoes - but make them almost new if you are coming for a while, get a pedicure, and don't expect to buy any here without paying an arm and a leg. If you need to make room for shoes, do it. But the clothes here instead!

I'm off to watch the Aussie Wallabies kick the All Blacks butts in Rugby Union again! Just starting on one of the 5 channels we get...

Jon