“Some people (often calling themselves "barefooters") enjoy the sensation of their feet in direct contact with the ground and make an effort to go barefoot whenever possible. People who self-identify as "barefooters" tend to be those living in developed countries where going barefoot becomes a symbol of freedom and health among other things. In developing countries, going barefoot is not regarded as status symbol as it is in the west. (From: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

I’m living in India – it’s almost six years now that I’ve left Europe for good – and I’m used to a life on bare soles: I haven’t worn shoes since December 2000 (with a few exceptions!) and I don’t think I’ll EVER imprison my feet again! I'm always barefoot: All-year-round, wherever I go, whatever I do. Most of my friends have never seen me wearing shoes…

WHY? That’s a question I’ve heard a thousand times. Well, it’s not a kind of “fashion statement”… Yes: There are quite a few “barefoot celebrities! Model Travis Fimmel not only does most of his modeling in bare feet, but says he goes barefoot almost exclusively. Singer Henry Rollins often performs barefoot on stage. Singer Lenny Kravitz has said he feels no need to wear shoes or socks. Singer Richard Ashcroft appeared barefoot on stage at Live8. Actor Sean Astin arrived at a film premiere in bare feet. Actress Julia Roberts is known as a person who loves to be barefoot. She has appeared barefoot in several of her movies. Actresses Liv Tyler, Nicole Kidman and Cameron Diaz have walked barefoot on the red carpet at their own movie-premieres. Model Pamela Anderson is often seen in magazines, walking around barefoot in her hometown. Singer Shakira is often barefoot on stage, as well as in her music videos. Singer Deana Carter performs barefoot. Same with Joss Stone, Kelly Clarkson, Mandy Moore… Britney Spears gained some notoriety by going barefoot into a public restroom. She has since frequently been seen going barefoot. Designer Genevieve Gorder almost always went barefoot during the series Trading Spaces on TLC. Zola Budd often ran barefoot in competition… No doubt: Barefoot is “in”! But if it comes to ME: It’s not very important that wearing no shoes is fashionable! I’ve different reasons for “keeping ‘em bare”…

Walking barefoot is AMAZING!!! If you’re barefoot you’re able to FEEL the ground! Would you wear gloves all-year-round? Nopes! So: Why shoes? Being in touch with Mother Earth, letting the energy flow freely isn’t that bad, after all… Right? Plus: It’s very refreshing and stimulating (ever heard about the reflex zones in our feet?)! Join me for a rather longish hike, preferably in the mountains, and let’s see who gets tired first! Walking barefoot is stimulating: In every sense! There’s more: The ecological impact is far less dramatic (erosion!) if you’re hiking in a natural environment (ever thought about what your heavy hiking boots do to the ecosystem?). It’s also communicative to a degree you wouldn’t expect: Travelling a lot I’ve made more than one friend explaining WHY I’m roaming around barefoot! Somehow you’re more defensive, less aggressive if barefoot… There are many aspects, but what really counts is the sensual factor: The “barefoot feeling”! It’s not only about feeling the ground beneath our soles, every change in texture or temperature, the difference between lawn and concrete, tar and marble, but also about feeling free – in many ways! If you don’t know what I mean: Leave your shoes at home and experience the freedom, the freshness, the air touching every inch of your feet… Try it once and you’ll never want to wear those “little prisons” again!

How did it all begin? I’ve been barefoot since my schooldays, but not every day, not everywhere… It was a winter morning back in 2000, just after Christmas: I was ready to board my flight to India. My feet were already bare while I was waiting for the train which would take me to the airport. The air was a bit chilly, and I noticed a couple of people, staring at my feet, obviously unable to believe what they saw: A pair of bare feet, decorated with a leather-anklet and a shiny little toering… I didn’t know that I was about to leave Europe for good, returning only occasionally for short visits. But I was ready for the big adventure: Spending many month on the road, exploring almost every nook and corner of India on my bare soles – from Kanyakumari to Gangtok and from Gujarat to West Bengal… It was SO much fun! I didn’t even carry any shoes in my backpack, and soon, my soles were tough as leather! Finally, the unexpected happened: I managed to settle down in India! I’ve been able to live my life barefoot ever since…

India – it STILL means: Bare feet EVERYWHERE, especially in rural areas and the South, but also in cities and parts of the North! And I don’t think that will change within a lifetime! Half of the people in my neighbourhood (a typical “mixed area” in Bangalore - with modern houses and traditional enclaves side-by-side) are barefoot throughout the year! Dusty bare feet, immune to the heat of the summer, to sharp gravel and other hazards are so common a sight that you’ll hardly notice them anymore after a month or so. It’s true: I’m still getting attention for my lack of footwear, but not because I’m barefoot but because I’m a FOREIGNER (“ferengi”) who is barefoot. And reactions are almost always positive…

Living barefoot 24/7/365 I’m spending lot’s of time travelling, and I’m ALWAYS travelling barefoot. It’s an exciting experience to roam around without any footwear in my backpack, trusting in my leather-like soles toughened over many years. And it’s definitely the most environment-friendly way of travelling, especially if it comes to activities like hiking in ecologically sensitive regions (e.g. the Indian Himalayas)! For those of you being concerned about health issues: I’m living barefoot for more than six years now, and I didn’t face ANY problem – except having to remove a little thorn from time to time, but even that happens rarely!

The mere thought that somebody out there enjoys travelling throughout India – and many other countries! - without ever wearing any kind of footwear (except one or two anklets and a toe ring!) might seem strange for some of you… But giving it a second thought you might even get inspired! Inspiring you to give it a try, to experience the joys and the freedom of travelling - and living - barefoot – that’s my goal, that’s why I’m posting this! Is travelling barefoot difficult? And is it worth it? To answer these questions, let me share my latest barefoot experiences with you:

Four days ago: It’s time for my annual trip to Europe! I’m leaving Bangalore early in the morning (at 6 am), happy to escape the South Indian monsoon – which wasn’t really impressive so far, but things might change in August! My flight with Gulf Air involves a 24 hours stopover in Muscat, Oman. I’m boarding the flight barefoot – as usual and without the slightest problem. Arriving in Muscat, I’m told that passengers are entitled to stay at the Holiday Inn for free (transfer and meals included!). Leaving my luggage in the room, I’m spending the whole day (from 9:30 am to 8 pm) in Muscat. Exploring Old Muscat with the palace and several forts is interesting, but the real fun starts in Muthra: The harbour and bazaar are waiting for me, a maze of alleys and shops, bustling with vendors, locals and a few foreign tourists. It’s a hot day with temperatures well above 40° C, but I’m used to the South Indian summer – and so are my tough soles! Many shops in Muthra are owned by Indians, Pakistanis or Bangladeshis. They’re a friendly bunch, well-versed in English and always curious to know why I’m wearing no shoes – and how I can possibly stand the hot tarmac! Passing by a cyber-café, I’m invited to rest a while, enjoying the – quite effective – AC. The next 10 minutes or so I’m busy to explain the young owner from North India why it is so much fun to walk barefoot in the streets of Muscat. Soon, the whole staff gathers around us, listening to his translation and asking additional questions… Only 20 minutes later: A fruit- and vegetable vendor from Bangladesh asks me: “How do you manage to be barefoot? It is SO HOT outside! He serves me a Mountain Dew while I’m convincing him that neither the heat nor little pieces of glass etc. are a serious threat for me – not after having spent more than six years on bare soles! He smiles, replying “you’re a tough man” – and wishes me all the best. Some people I meet are so curious that they ask me to show them my ultra-tough soles, and a young lad (chatting with a group of guys in their late teens) even pinches the leather-like skin … It’s a remarkable day, and I experience again what I’ve already noticed countless times: Roaming around barefoot is VERY communicative – and a good way to make new friends!

Here’s another example – a posting I’ve made some time ago:

“Recently I went for some extensive hiking in the Indian Himalayas. I know: Many of you wouldn’t even think about walking barefoot up there! But believe me: It was SO much fun! I didn’t carry any shoes, not even in my backpack. I enjoyed every minute of the trip on my bare soles… The trek to the source of the Ganges river was a special experience: 36 km (18 km one way) of mountain trails, two nights in an open tent… Climbing over countless rocks, wading through ice-cold rivulets… Crossing little patches of snow… Many interesting sensations for my well-trained bare feet! Yes, it’s all about additional sensual experiences – that’s what makes living, travelling and hiking barefoot so special! Feeling the rough granite beneath my soles, crossing a muddy meadow, patches of snow and little streams providing some refreshment… Tired feet are unknown to me, even after many kilometres of brisk hiking! That’s one big advantage of hiking barefoot… And there is the way I experience temperature: Nights are quite chilly up there (the thermometer once dropped to -2 ° C), but during daytime, things change quickly as soon as the first rays of the sun are touching the ground! It’s amazing to be able to FEEL the difference between a shady and sunny section of the trail! What else? There are the “encounters” – with other tourists, with locals, with pilgrims from all-over India… Some funny comments… On the way up to the source of the Ganges, 1 km before reaching the mighty glacier from where the stream origins, I asked a tourist if I was still on the right way. He replied that I’ll reach my destination soon – adding: “If your bare feet are strong enough”! I was spending the night in an open tent together with other hikers. The morning was quite chilly, and while having a cup of chai, a girl from Tel Aviv admired my ability to “stay bare” in the cold! She told me she would love to do the hike barefoot too, and I assured her that after a few weeks of travelling barefoot, she’ll be able to do things like that without ever having to bother about her feet. On my way back I passed a couple in their early 30ies. The husband looked a bit surprised, spotting my tanned bare feet, but his wife gave me a big smile, saying: “Barefoot – that’s great”. Reaching the little town of Gangotri, the sky became more and more cloudy (after three days of almost uninterrupted sunshine), and the next morning it was rainy with temperatures below 10 ° C. Mine where the only pair of bare feet in the whole town (apart from some sadhus!), and I got many comments, both from tourists and Indians: “Where are your shoes?”, “That must be cold”, “You’ll catch a cold” and things like that… More than one shopkeeper desperately tried to sell me a pair of sandals, even following me a few metre out in the rain… I didn’t care, and after 20 to 30 minutes of more or less brisk walking, my well-trained feet managed to adjust to the cold, a healthy reddish complexion and warm feeling assuring me that everything was all right! Only three month later, my leathery soles got exposed to the hot streets of South India! It’s true: Black tarmac can get quite hot on a sunny day. But being an experienced long-time barefooter, I’m even able to stroll around at noon or in the early afternoon without feeling uncomfortable. And obviously, I’m not the only one: Visit Kerala or Tamil Nadu and you’ll see loads of barefoot people in the streets, especially in rural areas but also in the cities! I’ve met people (online, not on the road) trying to convince me that my barefoot lifestyle is actually “offensive” IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT. My habit of walking barefoot is “a sign of disrespect” considering that I’m obviously able to “afford shoes” – that’s how they argue… Well, I can ensure everybody: THAT’S CRAP! Fortunately, freeing their feet from imprisonment isn’t a privilege of the poor! At least in South India… Many people down here CAN afford footwear – buying a pair of flip-flops isn’t a big deal anyway, except you’re virtually penniless – but opt for a barefoot life ‘cause they feel more comfortable, consider the therapeutically aspects (high bp, reflex zones…) or simply don’t see a point in using a few straps of leather or plastic to confine their feet. Let me remind you what M.F. Hussain, India’s celebrated modern painter (a multimillionaire – crorepati!) says about his OWN habit of going barefoot EVERYWHERE: “It started for purely health reasons. As acupressure is great for the feet I opted out of footwear. And as a result even today I can sit for long hours on the floor .It is almost 40 years now that I am barefoot. Earlier people laughed. Now they have accepted me as I am. I even go to Parliament without shoes. In fact in our country removing your footwear is a mark of respect. Be it at home or a place of worship we go in barefoot.” By the way: In India itself I’m hardly encountering ANY negative reaction! People are only curious if they see a foreigner strolling around barefoot. Some ARE concerned, but only because they think I’m not experienced enough! It’s not that difficult to convince them… Makes me remembering an incident in Fort Cochin (Kerala) – an incident you might very well call typical: It was a hot and sunny afternoon and I was exploring downtown Fort Cochin. Seeing my bare feet, an auto rickshaw driver stopped me, asking “isn’t it too hot for you to walk barefoot?”. I said: “No, I’m used to it. I’m always barefoot.” “Your soles must be strong!” (hesitating a moment) “I don’t believe! Show me!” I did and he carefully examined both my forefoot and heel. Feeling the leathery skin of my calloused soles, he smiled, saying: “I think they ARE strong enough!” This wasn’t the first time! Having travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres on India’s dusty roads, many locals asked me to show them my soles, curiously examining the layers of “living leather” and calluses protecting me from almost everything one can encounter! And more than once I’ve been asked for an instant demonstration, mentioning that my soles are so tough that I can even put out a cigarette on them…

Living, hiking and travelling barefoot is an all-round experience and at the same time very communicative! Try it yourself! Free your feet and keep ‘em bare!

If you want to read more about me and my life on bare soles or if you’re looking for other like-minded souls, check my Yahoo-Group “The Barefoot Traveller’s Tepee”! More than 600 members from different corners of the world, the largest online-collection of barefoot-links and a huge photo-section are waiting for you!

groups.yahoo.com/group/bar...ravelling/

There’s another gr8 page:

members.tripod.com/~bftravel/

Here you’ll find many stories and loads of pictures as well as useful background-info for those who love to travel barefoot. Enjoy!

Living barefoot isn’t a “spleen” and barefooters aren’t a “bunch of freaks”: Many share our passion, all over the world! If you’ve still ANY doubt: Visit the “Barefoot Traveller’s Tepee” and go straight away to the Link-section!!! You’ll find more than 100 links, opening you the door to a new world, a whole universe of barefoot activities! You’ll be surprised to read about barefoot teachers and workers, parents and children, about fellow barefooter from Australia, UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, Malta, Canada, the US and China, about barefoot hiker and biker, a famous pianist performing barefoot, the bare-pawed furry community, running barefoot, barefoot sport… Have fun – and get inspired!

Keep ‘em bare!

Barefoot Traveller

barefootingindia@yahoo.co.in