What a mess we’ve become, but what joy we have given Donna’s feet, for together we have traveled many miles and experienced many things. We were so white and fresh last September when she first put us on her feet. Then where did she take us. We were off to Peru and Machu Picchu. 

After a comfortable ride on an airplane, we landed in Lima. From then on, she rarely took us off, except at bedtime. We walked the streets of old Lima and the seaside areas of the city. We went under the old cathedral where bones of dead people lay in piles and in decorative circles. And, of course, we walked the halls and exhibits of museums. 

Later, we flew to Cusco in the Andes mountains. Each day brought new adventures. We carried her up mountain trails, high rock steps, and cobblestone streets. We walked and climbed on stones laid by the Incas. We stirred up brown dirt that took away our lovely whiteness and turned us into brown shoes. But we did not care for we carried soil that the Incas might have walked on. We walked along the crusty sides of salt ponds, getting salt in our soles. We tried to shout at her, “Hey, crazy lady, you almost fell in the salt pond and got us a soaking salt bath. CAREFUL!” One eventful day, we stepped from a boat onto the soft, squishy floor of a floating island of reeds on Lake Titicaca. And no, we didn’t get wet. Not every pair of shoes gets these experiences. 

Best of all, we carried her up the rocky steps to Machu Picchu. Now we really knew we were stepping where the Incas walked as they went about their business. What an unforgettable adventure! 

To leave Peru, we trudged down the dirty streets of border towns of Peru and Bolivia as we passed through immigration of each country. After passing through the border, there was more trudging through the dirt streets of the little Bolivian town to our bus. The walk between the two countries was most discouraging. Were we sure we wanted to be here!

Now that we were on the bus, we were ready to tour Bolivia. The bus stopped several times on the way to La Paz. We walked on the rocks and steps of Tiwanaku Archaeological Park. We could tell it was fascinating to everyone in our group. Next day we walked across the cobblestones and walkways of La Paz, but one of the most exciting places in La Paz was The Valley of the Moon. Here the dirt we kicked up on the path added yellow tints to the red dirt that we had already accumulated. By the time we left Bolivia, we were glad we came. 

The next day we headed back to Texas. Now life was calmer and not so dirty-Tai Chi classes, neighborhood walking, and elliptical workouts at the gym. Life was so much simpler and we were still her best shoes. 

Then we got the news in May and we were off again. This time it was Iceland and it may be rainy and cold. Before we left, out came the water repellent spray. Ugh! Cough, cough! Glad that was over. 

First day in Iceland and you might know it was raining as we toured the city of Reykjavik, but we were waterproofed. The next few days we walked over black lava rock, behind waterfalls, over slick and muddy rocks, on rain slicked boats, and mud. But one day, we were left behind because she decided to wear her hiking boots instead of us as she hiked through a lava tube cave. Oh, well, we knew we were not built for that. But we were back on her feet before the day was over. One day we traveled to the black sand beaches of Iceland. The sand was deep and not easy to walk on and now our color had changed to black from the sand. When we got back to the room, there were black sand and tiny rocks in us. After a great time and in spite of getting even dirtier, we decided Iceland was a marvelous place to visit!

Now that we are back home, we know we are old and dirty and she is ready for an new and clean pair of shoes, but, oh, what a wonderful, adventurous life we’ve led. We hope her next pair of shoes is as fortunate. 

Special thanks to Alan C. for suggesting this blog! I hope it meets his expectations.