T minus 16 days.
Today, I’m running around doing errands. Just went off to Cotswold to pick up my new Merino wool buff. If you’re interested, Buff produce a version which had a map of the camino. I was sorely tempted to buy it. But it is made of polyester cotton, and I’ve already tried one of those. They just don’t wick away the sweat as well, and the thought of “smelling” myself after a day’s walk is simply not that appealing. Besides, hubs said, “No.” Only merino. So merino it is.
Teva Tirra Red Sandals.
I had also ordered online a new pair of walking shoes, to complement my walking boots and also function as an alternative for urban walking. They were a pretty, red strappy thing with well supported base. Perfect for urban. Ummm, not so sure about trails. I tried them in the shop, just to be sure. Yup, so pretty. I could definitely see myself in Burgos or Leon, sightseeing with them. Perhaps even visit the odd Michelin star restaurant. But, oh dear, am I going to run into the possibility of twisting my ankle on the trail?
Sometimes, we ask ourselves questions we already know the answer to. It’s just that we don’t like the answer, and we are just looking for an alternative interpretation. Hubs wasn’t with me for that. So, the shop assistant would have to do. “Would these shoes be fit for purpose on the camino?” “On the trail? No.”
Sigh. Ok, let’s look at the big ugly ones instead. Don’t get me wrong. The Teva I got is super comfortable. The straps are much broader across my toes, and does not rub as much, so hopefully I won’t have blisters. The underfoot padding is also spongier and so feels more comfortable. It’s also got good tracks on the sole and definitely looks like it will do a good job.
Teva Fi 4. Paid £55 at Cotswold Outdoors with my club membership discount.
But, well, it is chunky and not very pretty. Note how I’ve tried to position the shoe attractively for the photo. But I just can’t hide the “caveman-ness” of it. (Or should it be cave woman-ness?) anyway, the other very important thing the man told me about is the fact that there is extra width around the toe area so I don’t stub my toes.
Sigh. Maybe I should just get both, so that I don’t have to choose. No. Need not want. Need not want. Yes, I’m practising getting the thing that I want at the time that I need it. Too often, I buy stuff because I’m going to want to be using it. Then I find I don’t use it half as much as I thought I would. I was sorely tempted to buy the pretty red sandals for when I returned. But really. Who knows what I’ll feel like then?
But I won’t deny, I’m still wondering how I can dress for the odd posh restaurant I might want to go to.
I wonder if other peregrinas have encountered this problem?
Postcard Traveller 
March 29, 2015 at 1:50 pm
My Teva Tirra’s have gone on 4 caminos with me (as my shower/evening/just in case my trail shoes die shoes) but I’ve only had to wear them on the trail for a few days on the Portuguese camino – just to give my feet a break on the cobbles – and they did fine but I wouldn’t want to put a strain on my ankles by wearing them over rough terrain. Towns along the Frances are used to pilgrims and I never really felt too out of place eating out in my hiking clothes. Buen Camino!
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March 29, 2015 at 3:57 pm
I never really felt out of place in my hiking clothes/shoes either, when in towns/restaurants (I had trail shoes and flimsy flip flops). But I completely understand the urge to buy the shoes that you like and want and that look pretty… the first pair of shoes that I ‘tested’ for the Camino were really comfortable but I thought they were so ugly. I kept telling myself, “It’s not about how you look, it’s not about how you look”, and it’s not… but there’s something to be said for having clothes/shoes that we feel good in, as well as being functional. It’s tough, because especially when it comes to footwear on the Camino, I think we have to sacrifice vanity completely if it means a lesser chance of blisters, foot problems, etc. It was a good lesson for me to practice… and I quickly learned that not only did others not care about how I looked, but I stopped paying attention to that as well. Some days on the Camino, I don’t think I ever looked in a mirror. It was so freeing! 🙂
Good luck in your last few weeks of prep!!
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March 30, 2015 at 10:03 am
I think the challenge for me is that I don’t know what I don’t know. And I’m trying to cater for different contingencies. I do know I’d like to eat out at a nice place once in a while. And I’m not sure how to manage dressing at opposing ends of the spectrum.
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April 17, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Restaurants along the camino route will allow you to dine in ugly hiking clothes and shoes – they know their audience! Apparently, even the Parador hotel in Santiago city (very fancy, urban, end-of-the road) will allow people in with boots and backpacks. So, if the businesses don’t care what you look like, then maybe you shouldn’t either? 🙂
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