A man with no (closed-toe) shoes

It’s no secret to those on our Bhutan trip that Brad and I weren’t really prepared for our Himalaya foothills adventure. We had been so focused on the first phase of our trip – in the Thai beaches and our wedding that we didn’t think much beyond so when we arrived in Bhutan we needed a few additional supplies like warm clothes.  I thankfully had my running shoes (not that I’ve done much of that), but Brad had 3 choices: flip flops, tevas, leather sandals – not exactly hiking material.  We found a few layers, but trying to find a men’s size 12 or 12.5 US in Bhutan was comical. We checked nearly every footwear store in the two main cities and it got to the point people laughed.  “No Big size in Bhutan.”  In the end Brad made due and all was fine even if his toes got a bit chilled now and again.

Brad

 

Then we went to India.  While we really didn’t need the shoes there, we were thinking ahead to Japan.  We’re big people wherever we go, but in India even more so as there are some little people there.  They have some great style shoes but they are designed to fit Indian men who generally wear 8.5 or so.  We had some hysterical adventures into the shoe shops.  Indians – like many Asians – hate to say no or disappoint so when Brad would ask if they had big size, they’d say “yes” and bring out a US 10.  He’d try and say it’s too small then they’d say “No, just stomp your foot”… as if he wedged his foot in it would stretch and miraculously fit. This went on for days.  Even in Delhi where there are department stores and outlets for Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok – very few had anything bigger than a 46 – or 11 US.  We even asked our friend Ram, who is about 6′4 for advice and he didn’t hold out much hope and told us to shop in Bangkok.  When I asked where he got his shoes, he said, “US,” which he travels to once a month at least.

 

So in Bangkok, it was like groundhog day…lots of shops, lots of shoes yet none that fit BIG BRAD.  Many shops he’d ask for a 46 or 47 and they shop keepers /staff would just laugh or they were so eager to make a sale, they’d bring out shoes and say “Big size” and Brad would see it was only a 10 and walk out w/o a word.  It was hysterical!

 

Then in the ghastly Ao Nang Beach, Brad decided to try the Nike store and they had one pair of 46 – a pair of black Muay Thai boxing shoes.  Couldn’t you just see the big American wearing these in Japan?  So we’ve just arrived in Tokyo w/o any shoes and it’s dropped about 35 degrees since we were in Thailand.  This is the first time he needs these shoes and the first store we walk into, the largest size is a men’s 9 and the man laughed and suggested we try the Nike store. 

 

Fall back plan?  He’ll wear socks with his tevas. Stay tuned.