American Boys Don’t Wear Pink Shoes

Plastic shoes are far from uncommon.  There are two main styles I noticed.  The thick-soled sandals and the jelly type.

Starting with the jellies.  Take a flashback to 1984 and you will immediately be able to envision them.  I saw these a lot in Lalibela.  It seemed that every priest there wore these shoes in the whitish translucent color.  Before entering an Orthodox church, you must remove your shoes.  (Ergo the photo of the jellies on the church steps!) They are inexpensive and a little bit dressy. I also saw some school boys wearing these in black. 

There is also the female version made with black plastic that looks a little bit like black flats.  They are more opaque though.  I saw these a LOT everywhere.

Even more common, I think, are the plastic slides/sandals.  They come in a rainbow of colors and look quite comfortable.  They appeared to be like the $20 shoes that are sold here.  I was told they only cost 16 ETB.  Hello?!  Of course I had to have some.  Not just for me, but for my boys too! 

So, I was on a mission to find us some shoes.  The shoes for me were relatively easy to find at shops along the street or at any market area.  I ended up with a simple pair in light blue. 

Then, we found a pair for my 2-year old.  They were actually clogs with a strap on the back and just slightly too big.  With socks, they seemed to be OK.  And he LOVED wearing them.  They came in beige.  I also found a pair of lime green ones as a gift for my friend’s daughter.

The mission to find shoes for my 6-year old was the most challenging.  Why?  I don’t know.  First of all, I didn’t know his European size (and there was no Internet computer at the market to look up a size conversion chart).  So, I accosted this poor boy who happened to be walking past. I kept saying, “his feet are the same size!” Nobody seemed to have a non-ugly style in size 27. 

Then, Lekneh found a pair…in bright Pepto pink. I said, “No Thanks.”  He asked what was wrong with them.  I said the style was fine but I didn’t want pink.  At the next stop, he once again found a pair and said, “These are very beautiful.”  Umm…they are pink.  And, my son is a boy. I told him again that I didn’t want pink.  Then the dreaded debate began.

Lekneh:  What’s wrong with pink?
Me: American boys don’t wear pink shoes.
Lekneh: Why not?  It is a good color.
Me:  Yes, it is a nice color.  But, American boys don’t wear pink.
Lekneh: Why?
Me: {Knowing I was going to regret saying this.} Because pink is only for girls in America.
Lekneh:  {Frustrated and disappointed look on his face}

We ended up with a pair of bright orange shoes.  We (Lekneh, me and my son) were all very pleased with the color.   And, in case November heats up by 35 degrees, my son will be all set for deer hunting season.

 I’m still dealing with the smells from the off-gassing after I opened the plastic bag they came in.  I’m sure the “new shoe smell” will be gone by the time warm weather gets back to Wisconsin.

I’m excited about these shoes.  They are going to be great for the beach and for mucking about in the garden.  I just wish I had gotten a few more pair (because they were actually only 7-10 ETB a piece) to accessorize all my outfits.

POST SCRIPT (11/1/06):  My son has been wearing these shoes to/from hockey practice and loves it.  Of course, there is no snow here yet.  But, these are so nice for wearing over his stockinged feet.  Just imagine a 6 year-old all bulked up from head to toe in his red, white and blue hockey gear with these lovely orange sandals on his feet.  One of his friends is actually jealous because HIS dad makes him wear tennis shoes home!