In just a few days, I will be embarking on a crazy adventure to South America. (Have no fear, dedicated readers. SWTCTW will be getting a guest blogger!)
I can’t wait.
In my mind, I had visions of looking somewhat cute in my pictures. My rose-colored legit backpacker’s backpack, cute hiking shorts and a tank top, chilling in my Rainbows with a nice tan. You know…looking like a really cool world traveler in her twenties. Then reality hit me like a case of food poisoning while shopping at EMS today– I’m going to look absolutely heinous.
This ugly realization happened while perusing the shoe section. I looked at the hiking running shoes. Ugh. All repulsive. I usually mock people who wear these shoes, but in my defense it’s because they unnecessarily wear them as everyday shoes. I would actually “need” them. So I tried on a pair that was less offensive than the rest. After deciding I could live with them, I asked the guy if they were good for backpacking. “You will die if you wear those shoes,” he said. Quite forcefully, too. DIE?! I’m scared enough as it is! I don’t need your fear-mongering on top of my parents’ completely-expected-but-still-a-little-confidence-rattling paranoia, EMS dude. He then pointed me to a pair of shoes that made my stomach lurch. Yes, the ones pictured above. I was panicked. He told me I was going to die if I didn’t get these shoes!
The truth is that I’m just not that hardcore. When I say backpacking, I mean exploring the continent with a backpack…not spelunking and scaling mountains.
And I’ve changed the mental picture I have of myself traveling. I’m not looking to sound or act prissy. So what if I’m wearing clothes that aren’t the most flattering? So what if I don’t look my absolute best? Who am I trying to impress? I’m just glad I’m going. I’m going to see the world and I don’t care what I have to look like to get there.
But those shoes? NO WAY. My old pair of kicks will just have to do.
[Posted by Kathleen]
