Life in Heels

A comment by a frequent reader reminded me of something I saw last week in Milan and desperately wanted to share, but had neither my camera, nor a friend to share it with.




I am one of the people who feel that my feet, like Barbie's, were made for heels. If I put flat shoes on I just don't feel right. I like heels because they force me to walk taller and also look taller too. this comes in handy with Alexander who is about double my height. Soon my nieces and nephew will be taller than I am and they are still in the single digit ages. I think living in New York with all the shorties made me feel taller. I have realized since living in Europe with the Northern Amazons that I am not, at all, tall.

The picture below is of people going to Oktoberfest. Of course, the woman is wearing the most sensible shoes she can find. The germans in my hood are all about sensible shoes. Berkinstocks were born here for a reason. I bought myself a pair of old lady shoes when I first got here half as a joke and half because I thought, why not? I think we call them nursing shoes. They gave me blisters. My normal heels here are the subject of some excitement as everyone likes to comment- how do you walk in those, how can you even stand?? This is usually said with the old Fart Face.

But, alas, I found my people in Italy last week. In Milan it is not uncommon to see a lot of motorcycles, vespas, scooters, and bikes on the street. I guess parking is tough so it's a logical choice. They take these things to work and ride on them in their work clothing. I had to do a double-take a number of times because for me it is fun to see an older man decked out in a suit and tie riding a vespa. They look great! The best part is the women wear high heels in Italy to everything, everywhere. Even if they are riding their bikes or mopeds they keep their heels on. And not easy, sensible heels, but full-on spike stilettos. I was so proud.