Hawaii with Both Feet

While I am still a Hawaii newbie by any standards — just entering my second year here — this week provided two powerful reminders of how comfortable this island has become.  They both had to do with my feet.

First, I saw a conference that looked interesting and related to my studies.  Then, I noticed it is in Ontario, Canada.  In March.  This is a problem.  I moved here after over a decade in Colorado, so I have seen snow and have experienced winter weather.  But I had proper clothes there.  I suddenly realized that I now have no coat, just a summer hoodie and a winter hoodie, mostly for the air conditioning on buses and in classrooms.  I also have no cap, scarf or gloves: items that used to be essential.  But the real deal-breaker, the one that dissuaded me from applying for the conference, is that I have no shoes.  I have several pair of slippers (flip-flops) that serve quite nicely all year long in Hawaii.  I have purchased a pair of sneakers, allegedly to use in the gym (but that hasn’t really taken much tread off over the past year).  I wore them when we returned to the mainland last summer and that was fine but I don’t think I’d like to brave Canada snow in a pair of sneakers.

The second foot experience begins with a confession.  I am addicted to cable cleaning, decorating and remodeling shows.  I know.  But anyway, this weekend one of the remodeling projects was in a place where there was snow.  That’s fine, I can WATCH people in snow all day.  They carried a new rolled up area rug into the living room and were standing on it to kick the roll out.  With their shoes on!  I shuddered.  The sight of people walking on carpet in their shoes seemed so wrong!  In Hawaii, a shoe rack sits either outside or just inside the door.  Even though most footwear is slippers, they are not worn inside local homes.  Knowing that and feeling a physical shudder are two different things.

At some point, I’ll gear up for a winter mainland trip.  But for now, I am happy to kick off my slippers at the door in October.

Posted by Cindy Scheopner  Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner

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Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Customs, Practices and Pastimes,Fun Stuff

October 22nd, 2009