Blisters from Greece

I wore one of my favorite pairs of shoes yesterday.  Espadrilles from Ann Taylor Loft that I purchased many moons again. They are a sturdy pair of shoes that offer a small amount of comfort and large amount of height.

As I slipped them on my not-nearly-ready-for-summer feet, it brought back memories of a trip I took to Greece back in 2007 (and yes, the shoes are that old).  I purchased the shoes right before the trip and was ready to hit the Grecian streets with these beauties on my feet.

I fondly recall an afternoon spent in Mykonos, one of many beautiful Greek isles.  It was my sister, her husband, my hubby, my mom, and myself as we set out from our hotel (Hotel Artemis) in search of the infamous Greek sunset.

We heard from many locals that we just had to see the sunset from the dock at Little Venice, which was about a 2-mile walk from our hotel.  The view was going to be worth it...we just knew it.

And it was. But every inch of that 2-mile walk in my 3-inch espadrilles was painful.  We walked carefully along the Greek sea coast and hugged the edge of the rocky roadside.  Cars drove wildly on the island and being a pedestrian wasn't as easy as it is here in America.  So the terrain was rugged, our safety wasn't guaranteed - but the views were gorgeous.

Little Venice and a Greek sunset at last.  We enjoyed every moment of those golden rays as we sipped on Greek wine.  But then came the walk back.

It was easy to get lost within the maze-like streets of Mykonos.  The alleyways are small and all the buildings look similar - white buildings with blue staircases.  Don't get me wrong, I adore Greek architecture.  But getting lost with painful shoes within an unknown city still 2 miles from home is not as pleasant as it may seem.

The part I find most intriguing is that I have more memories of the Ann Taylor Loft espadrilles and Greece than I do of the authentic Greek sandals purchased in Mykonos.

 

I guess that is the plight of an American tourist.  I welcome the challenge any time.