Travelling barefoot? Visit “The Barefoot Traveller’s Tepee”!

Barefoot Traveller

Travelling, backpacking, hiking… Many of us LOVE it, and some of us ENJOY it even more if they’re doing it barefoot! I’ve spent YEARS on the road, and I’ve been barefoot all the time. Meeting other like-minded souls, spotting another pair of tanned, dusty bare feet with soles black as coal is cool, one knows immediately: We’ve something in common! I’ve met a good many barefoot traveller: The typical newcomer – with a pair of flip-flops dangling from his backpack – and people like me, with no shoes at all in their luggage, trusting in their leather-like soles, toughened over many months. Chatting about our experiences is always fun, and one day, I was thinking: There should be a place in Cyberspace for our tribe, a place too meet, to share stories – while on the road, after returning home, while planning a new adventure… Searching a while, I’ve found an EXCELLENT Web-Page:

http://members.tripod.com/~bftravel/

Thanx for the wonderful work, Martin! You’ve inspired – and encouraged! - many of us…

Martin’s page is gr8: You’ll find many stories and loads of pictures as well as useful background-info. But it’s not actually a MEETING PLACE… That’s why I’ve created a Yahoo-Group – our very own “Virtual Tepee”! Here’s the link and the group-description:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barefoottravelling/


THE BAREFOOT TRAVELLER’S TEPEE

Have you ever thought about TRAVELLING BAREFOOT? Most probably, that’s why you’re here, right? No matter if you’ve been travelling for many weeks or months without even carrying any shoes or if you’re just back from your first barefoot trip: You’re WELCOME! This Group is the virtual home of our tribe – a place to share our stories, talk about our experiences and encourage every newcomer to “keep ‘em bare”! Leave your shoes outside and enter our tepee! The chai is ready…
Let’s talk about the joys of travelling barefoot! How amazing, how special it is… I’ve spent YEARS on the road: Exploring the wonders of Ancient Egypt, getting lost in the bazaars of Damascus, relaxing at one of those beautiful, pristine beaches in Maharashtra or Kerala, hiking in the Himalayas - ALWAYS barefoot, without any footwear in my backpack, trusting in my leather-like soles, toughened over many years... Covering thousands of kilometres on my bare soles, I’ve made friends on many continents… “Barefoot, free and happy”, that’s my motto!
It’s exciting to roam around barefoot, 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)! It’s a lifestyle, a way to express ourselves… And of course an amazing sensual experience: We can FEEL the ground! Who would wear gloves all-year-round? Nobody! So: Why shoes?
Travelling barefoot, I’m far more “in touch”, in touch with nature, with Mother Earth… Energy can flow freely, I’m never disconnected. Somehow you’re more defensive, less aggressive if barefoot… It’s very refreshing and stimulating too, and moreover communicative to a degree one wouldn’t expect: I’ve made friends in many countries, explaining WHY I’m roaming around barefoot!
Again: Welcome, thanx for joining! Leave your shoes and… SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

Are you ready to share your opinion about travelling barefoot? – there’s an online-poll “Travelling barefoot”! Cast your vote…

http://www.misterpoll.com/894246532.html

For some of us, it’s only a small step from travelling barefoot to spending our whole life on bare soles. I’m one of those lucky fellows, and I’ve created a separate poll “Living barefoot”:

http://www.misterpoll.com/832140873.html

Living barefoot isn’t a “spleen” and our tribe no “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 almost 70 links (so far), 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!

Attached Thumbnails

   

seventies'hippy

Nice to hear from you again Barefoot,
Just dug up your old thread Here,

I'll go & have a wander around your site,,,,

__________________
.
.
.

My Photo Gallery

Lovemax

WalLah ...watta way to go ..
You people seem to be inspiring me to take up new thing everytime i go through your threads... Challenging but inviting too as well.... Anyone else getting inspired too as well ??
FreeBirD

MeCasa

I never wear shoes when I'm at home or even when I go to town for minor items, but there isn't anything ruin a trip faster than a cut foot.

A combination of sandals an my old Danner's will do me fine

lotus blossom

when i see people running around barefoot i generally think that it looks quite freeing (except for one guy who is always barefoot here where i live and his feet are all constricted looking), but i would not be comfortable doing it out in the world. i'd be too concerned about what i might step in and hence, never feel free doing it.

__________________
Not all who wander are lost

crvlvr

why do some establishments have signs that state, "shirts and shoes required at all times"? i understand the shirt part. But, I have never understood the shoes part. Can some one enlighten me?

GoanCanuck

A lot of people in India prefer to wear slippers for their day to day activities including going to a restaurant. Because of this certain establishments insist on the shirt and shoes rule.

seventies'hippy

I think i's an: " If you can't afford a shirt & a pair of shoes then you shouldn't be thinking of eating here thing"
After all if you could afford some then you'd be wearing them ,,,,,,,, wouldn't you!

camelgirl

I've met some barefoot travelers over the years, even on a trek in Nepal. Passed may laborers hauling big loads who mostly wore flip flops, but sometimes were barefoot.

But for me, way too uptight to even leave my house without something on my feet! flip flops are about the most bare I'll go, but they'll do just fine anywhere.

Actually, I just hate the thought of hurting my feet. It's interesting that the first thing people who are really poor do when they get some money, after they get some food, is get some rubber or plastic shoes! Maybe they don't like how it feels either. I doubt that they know about hookworm and things you get by walking barefoot in dirt: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasi...t_hookworm.htm

I know my opinion is totally useless here, but since it's an open forum, thought I'd put in my 2 rupees worth of negativity