So up until today I've been known as sandal guy among my new classmates in Australia. Apparently its strange to be wearing flip flops or sandals in the middle of winter in the rain here. It's always been normal for me and most people back BC despite winter. (I'll be slowly revealing the rest of my quirks/beliefs as time goes on. That should get some good reactions) I would often go for hikes and pull off my sandals part way in, then I bought a pair of VFF's a couple years ago (I know... I know... but I was afraid of stepping on glass and thought I would wear away by soles on concrete) and started running in those until my calves started getting so sore and my body was aching from it. I stopped wearing them and went back to shoes Flash forward another year to today and after reading these forums a fair bit, I decided to put aside the shoes and VFF's completely and give barefoot a shot. I went for my first run today barefoot and realized all along that I had been running poorly in my VFF's despite thinking I was doing a good job of it! Without anything on your feet you are so forced to run in a way that you don't scrape or land wrong. I might be sore tomorrow but I loved it and won't be wearing sandals to class anymore. If sandals were weird, just imagine no shoes at all....
What's wrong with those Aussies? Sandals/barefoot is the way to go, in any weather. (Well, maybe not winter in northern Siberia)
people who will refrain from addressing someone barefoot in cold rain can in turn stand back in shock and make questions at the sight of him wearing flops at sub-fridge temperatures...
Congratulations on entering the world of enriched tactile sensation on bare soles! I'm sure that you'll find it to be very interesting, invigorating and plain fun to feel the world around you by means of your bare feet. And, this much is true as well: Indeed, I have gotten lots of encouraging and praising comments from women who just love my toe rings and the nail polish I put onto my toe nails - men mostly just stare, or - when commenting - focus on the health aspect rather than on style. Don't let anyone discourage you - bare feet are both: healthy and stylish, too. :2thumbsup: Wiggling bare toes, ~*Ganesha*~
Yep Maybe sandals in winter is odd because I'm in a huge city that is very fashion orientated? (Melbourne). I dunno, I've been called Jesus here purely because of my sandals (mixed with my previously long hair). I'm just loving the feel of every material under my feet, its unreal. Mud and grass and dirt and moss always felt great, now in the city its more synthetics but it still feels like a better connection to the earth. I always wanted to do this but I either lacked confidence or people would tell me that I will get hepatitis or something from stepping on a piece of glass/needle. I just plan on watching where I'm stepping to solve that problem. Its sort of funny how tense I walked to start and realized, what am I doing? just relax. You just have to take it easy and let all of your foot contact the ground. Its amazing how wearing shoes all your life can make walking on bare feet such a tense ordeal!
