I felt for you when reading about the betrayal of the shoes on the path, but somewhat selfishly I’m incredibly grateful that it led to the creation of the Raw Society. Maybe let’s call it serendipity for how sometimes everything just works out into something beautiful.
As always, thoroughly enjoyed your writing. I could hear the sound of shoes with their semi-detached soles flapping at every step (I hope to never experience that again) and feet with blisters making you question your decisions in life. 😅
I love this story filled with humor and luck. I would also add that you and Jorge are not "very average humans." Together, you have created a wonderful community, which could only be done by "very special humans."
We all know that shoes can make or break a great hike/project/assignment. Your tale of shoe woes was absolutely wonderful. It brought back memories of trips and trails and second skin adventures. I love the way you develop stories around your experiences.
The most important piece of a photographer's kit, aside from the right camera for the job, is a pair of comfortable shoes. And when I say comfortable, I mean "familiar" - in the sense that one has walked at least the distance of a marathon (26.2 miles / 40km) in them BEFORE doing anything serious in them. Otherwise, instead of YOU breaking-in the shoes, you allow THEM to break you in. I genuinely feel your pain. The first half-marathon I ran was in a pair of beautiful-looking but woefully inadequate Nike trainers. I also played a game of rugby in a brand new pair of Adidas rugby boots which gave me blisters so bad, I could barely walk for a week.....
Loved it! I too did the loop the wrong way and those stairs are cruel! Ten years later at the loop Renata’s fancy hiking boots were turned into an abominable piece of rubber with the sole flipping like an exhausted tongue . Now with your testimony I can only think of the loop as the jaw of a shoe grinding sole eating mountain giant —- flip flops are always safer it seems!
Was hiking in Sikkim with my expensive high-ankle waterproof trekking boots. Reached the summit with blisters and almost dying lungs. There, I saw a man just climbed up with one hand in pocket, one hand holding mobile and slippers in the feet. Humiliation at its peak 🙂
Btw, all the very best to both of you for Cuba! Stay safe and happy journey :)
I felt for you when reading about the betrayal of the shoes on the path, but somewhat selfishly I’m incredibly grateful that it led to the creation of the Raw Society. Maybe let’s call it serendipity for how sometimes everything just works out into something beautiful.
As always, thoroughly enjoyed your writing. I could hear the sound of shoes with their semi-detached soles flapping at every step (I hope to never experience that again) and feet with blisters making you question your decisions in life. 😅
I’ve heard this story before but not from the perspective of the shoes. Priceless.🙌🏻 Clever, clever..🥰
I love this story filled with humor and luck. I would also add that you and Jorge are not "very average humans." Together, you have created a wonderful community, which could only be done by "very special humans."
Awww thanks David. Really appreciate it and the community is one of my proudest achievements, thanks to having people like you in it!
We all know that shoes can make or break a great hike/project/assignment. Your tale of shoe woes was absolutely wonderful. It brought back memories of trips and trails and second skin adventures. I love the way you develop stories around your experiences.
Thank you Deborah. It means a lot and I really want this Substack to resonate with people :)
The most important piece of a photographer's kit, aside from the right camera for the job, is a pair of comfortable shoes. And when I say comfortable, I mean "familiar" - in the sense that one has walked at least the distance of a marathon (26.2 miles / 40km) in them BEFORE doing anything serious in them. Otherwise, instead of YOU breaking-in the shoes, you allow THEM to break you in. I genuinely feel your pain. The first half-marathon I ran was in a pair of beautiful-looking but woefully inadequate Nike trainers. I also played a game of rugby in a brand new pair of Adidas rugby boots which gave me blisters so bad, I could barely walk for a week.....
Haha yep lesson definitely learned. I was a total amateur 😂
Bravo!!!! Beautifully written. I felt pain and laughter.
Haha thanks John!! So excited you are coming to Mississippi:)
No pain no gain. Marvelous/
Yep you said it!
Makes you wonder how it is that things actually happen. What at first seemed like a curse, in the end was a blessing.
Absolutely, and I actually think about that a lot!
Damn I love those godawful shoes 😍 But I have a question - where DID you stay that fateful night?
Loved it! I too did the loop the wrong way and those stairs are cruel! Ten years later at the loop Renata’s fancy hiking boots were turned into an abominable piece of rubber with the sole flipping like an exhausted tongue . Now with your testimony I can only think of the loop as the jaw of a shoe grinding sole eating mountain giant —- flip flops are always safer it seems!
Hahaha glad we aren’t the only ones to do the loop the wrong way round in fact, It seems like only the ‘cool’ people do it this way ;)
Was hiking in Sikkim with my expensive high-ankle waterproof trekking boots. Reached the summit with blisters and almost dying lungs. There, I saw a man just climbed up with one hand in pocket, one hand holding mobile and slippers in the feet. Humiliation at its peak 🙂
Btw, all the very best to both of you for Cuba! Stay safe and happy journey :)
Yes! We saw a couple of people (locals) walking up these mountains in flip flops, and carrying toilets! 😂
"We are built different" vibes XD