New Shoes

In Australia, we tend to wear shoes all day long. That, in essence, is a very western trait. In Japan it is somewhat different. In any one day we may be required to remove footwear many times depending on whether we enter a residence, a cafe, restaurant, temple, shrine or any one of many other establishments.

In most private dwellings, there is a vestibule by the front entrance where shoes are removed and stored. There is little room for removing shoes by bending or sitting down. This is not a problem if you are a small person. If you are a person with a big frame, it can become a laborious task. Imagine trying to remove your shoes in a public telephone box whilst trying to maintain a decorous presence.

As I am shortly returning to Japan, I have invested in a pair of shoes without laces to make the whole 'on-again-off-again' routine more simple. I probably will also buy another pair of brown shoes for the same trip.

They're nice new shoes....and comfortable also. Ureshii!