SoKo Shoes...

 Ok so here is a little lighter blog tonight. Something I have been noticing for awhile now as have other expats around me. The shoepademic that plagues South Korea is quite interesting and perplexing at times. It isn't something you really think about on a daily basis. If someone held you at gunpoint and police officer said describe their shoes...think about it...would you be able to? I thought I had the corner market on interesting shoe apparel when I was back in the states but I must admit I am outmatched here.
There are just two particular examples I would like to talk about today.

The first being the students' shoes at my school and at the local hogwan's around my apartment complex. While we do not have our students wear uniforms, other schools do. I have noticed that the one way they can express themselves is through footwear. It is truly a colorful walk on the way to work some mornings. Different laces and styles and shapes and sizes. The picture above is tame in comparison on some days. It is great that they choose this way to reveal a little bit of their personalities. Sometimes I want to ask them more about themselves just by what they put on their feet each morning.
The second, and more perplexing, of these shoe puzzles is the wearing of high heels by the majority of women in Korea. Funny when I wanted to try and take pictures to prove this puzzle, I had a hard time finding some. These are pretty respectable by comparison. All ages wearing inches upon inches of what look like medieval torture devices on their feet! No wonder Crocs and Converse are becoming so popular here. The most fascinating thing about all of this really is the simple agility that these women have in these things. First of all, sidewalks here are not known for their smoothness and ease of walkability. Secondly these women can run up and down slick hallways and marble staircases with great ease. I am also told that they wear them year round. In the ice and snow! I have no doubt that they can but for my own safety and for the safety of those around me, I do not think I will be joining the high heels club anytime soon. It is also a reminder that I need to keep my head up more. I have nothing to be hanging my head down about. I am just as worthy as the person next to me. And if they want to stare at me because I am the minority around here then let them. I will make sure I pick up my feet and keep walkin'.  Life can trip us up enough as it is if we let it. No need to help it along...Enjoy your walkabout today friends.