shoes?

hi,
we're travelling around the south of India December to February..

What sort of shoes should we take?
we're assuming walking sandals... (you know, the type u find in outdoor shops), and possibly boots for hikes?

any suggestions?

- like, should we just get some sandals in India, or is it worth bringing a "good" pair??

cheers

bring your own, so you wont have to break them in

regular tennis or running shoes are fine, again, broken in beforehand, unless you are really doing some serious trekking, which almost no one does in the south.

I bring unimportant sandels when we go. I can slip them on and off easily when entering homes and temples. After a long day in the dusty and sometimes grimy streets they can be easily rinsed and dry again by next morning.
You should also pick up some of the famous red chappels while you are there though.

I've had lots of tan-colored buffalo chappels from Delhi, but not RED ones? Where do you get those?

This might sound silly but what do chappels look like? Trying to work out how they differ from Aussie sandals.

Red ones are Hyderabadi specials!
Here they would be referred to as Jesus sandels or hippie shoes. Just thin little strappy sandels with a centre strap and a band around your big toe. They won't survive long after getting wet, so buy a couple pair.

Actually, I've found that the way to prevent blisters and make sure your chappels fit is to walk into the shower with them, and let them dry on your feet. That may not work for the red ones, however; maybe the dye will run.

After that process, go to the closest shoerepair guy (sitting on the kerb outside your hotel) and have rubber soles (I like Michelins) put on the chappels, and have the toe ring strengthened. They'll last for a while that way.

The dye won't come off with water, but it will rub off on your feet the first few times you wear them. The guys rub the dye on right in front of you, so it needs to be blotted just like lipstick.

I can't wait to see them. Do you have an address? I didn't see them in the bazaar around Char Minar...

They must give your feet that "pilgrimage look."

There is a row of shoe vendors in a part of town called Patni. The auto drivers should be familiar with it. I can ask the husband for more specific directions. Tell me how to PM you and I can send them to you.

Invest in some Tevas and they'll last you for years.

I'm sure I can find Patni, so thanks!

<sending you a PM w/instructions; reply to it when you receive it>

Pair of sandals will be usefull,one shoe,unless if you are going for trekking no need of boots.You can buy sandals at Chennai as you landing there.

I forget to mention ,because South you visit most temples,custom is you have remove your sandles.shoes outside the temple...so its good to roam around with sandals.

I sense a new thread coming up : how to protect your sandals while in temple. Is the Shoe-safe really safe ? Do the langurs really prefer Teva`s over chappels for their unspeakable acts ?