This year, I splurged on a pair of Birkenstocks, because it is the 7th initiation rite in belonging to Gainesville. My son, DJ (short for "Dude Junior"), because he is growing like a sprout, started wearing them when I wasn't looking, and I went for hours in sadness because I did not have my Birkies. Anyhow, I finally broke down and bought him a pair of his own and in retrospect I should have gotten him a pair in my size because he still steals mine. What's it going to be like when he's in high school?!
Here is a link to last year's post about the Okabashis (similar photo!) - I'm waiting for him to realize that wearing the same sandals as your moms is uncool. Maybe it isn't anymore?
4 comments:
Heh, heh... 7th initiation rite - I like that! I bought my first pair of Birkies when I was visiting Key West. I was wearing bad flats, and my brother in law had us walking so much that my pinky finger went numb. The next day we went to the Birkenstock store for a pair of emergency sandals!
I wore those sandals all the time when I lived in Florida. These days, I usually wear mary jane style flats. I've also developed a fondness for pod type toning sneakers; I don't know if they tone, but they seem to reduce ankle/foot pain and fatigue.
Ah! I've wondered about those toning sneakers - might have to try them. I'm typically really rough on my feet but I like the Birkenstocks about the same as the Okabashis - it was just nice to finally ascend to Birkies.
I wish I could say Gainesville was a Birkenstock-wearing Hippietown, but it's really not. I felt rather like an anachronism when wearing them to teach class, but I kind of dig that, as well.
Oh Birkies. Imagine how alien I feel wearing them in Lake City. Imagine how alien I feel in Lake City. Imagine Lake City.
Try not to think about Lake City and you have my sympathies, although I've met some very nice people from Lake City.
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