Encouraging reactions…

I’m living barefoot for more than six years, and it’s not surprising that I’ve faced all kind of reactions. After all: I’m hardly ever wearing shoes, going barefoot EVERYWHERE! That makes me different, I’m attracting attention… But it might be encouraging for you to know that most comments I get are positive! Especially here in India – back in Germany I had to get used to youngsters, mostly school kids, making some fun of me… Here, it’s different! A few days back for example, I went to a small shop, getting myself a new watch. One elderly gentlemen was the only other customer. Spotting my bare feet he asked me if it isn’t to hot (the usual question, especially in the summer!). I explained that I’m used to it, and the shopkeeper added that he has seen me walking around barefoot for the last few years. Now: Guess what was the reaction of the curious enquirer? A BIG smile and affectionate handshake! That’s only one example, it happens every day… Going barefoot seems to be a way to make new friends – at least in South India! You might ask: How about tourists? Well, let me tell you: I’m traveling A LOT, and I don’t know HOW MANY fellow backpacker I’ve met on the dusty roads of India. Again: Hardly any negative reaction, and not a single case of aggressive barefoot-phobia! I think those guys you meet on the “Lonely Planet Thorn Tree” etc. aren’t really representative… Fortunately! I always remember that Israeli girl in Uttaranchal: I was on the way to Gangotri (the source of the river Ganges)… It’s an 18 km – trail with loads of rocks and even some patches of snow. It was October, and as you might expect – in an altitude of 2000 to 3000 m – nights can get quite chilly up there. I was spending the compulsory night in one of those huge make-shift tents set up for tourists and pilgrims, together with a bunch of backpackers from Israel. That was when one of them, a girl in her early 20ies, joined me for lunch and admired my ability to do the whole trek barefoot! She said she would LOVE to do that herself – and I encouraged her to try, of course in a less challenging environment. The next morning I met a European couple. It was still chilly, and many of the small rivulets crossing the path where frozen. Obviously: A guy covering the remaining 5 km of the trail on his bare feet is an unusual sight. Their comment? “Barefoot – that’s good!” Before you reach the source of “Mother Ganga” (a mighty glacier) you’ve to pass a vast field of rocks. During the ascend I asked a backpacker for directions. He told me that the source is actually less than a kilometer ahead – and that I’ll reach within 20 Minutes, adding “if your bare feet are strong enough”! His friendly smile told me: No disapproval!

I hope my own experiences are encouraging for you – especially if you’re new to the barefoot lifestyle! Now it’s YOUR turn: Why don’t you share your own stories with us? Tell us about those “encouraging encounters” you had while going barefoot! My Yahoo-Group “The Barefoot Travelers Tepee” is the right place:



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barefoottravelling/