From: Christopher Roat
Subject: New Hope Sunday
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1998 13:00:46 EST

The next installment:
	After parting company with my fellow Barefoot Hikers, I spent the day
wandering the village of New Hope, as I love to do.  New Hope is an artsy
village a little more upscale than South Street, but also with its collection
of vamps, goths, and neo-hippie kids.  The stores are very cool and there are
various 70s/Grateful Dead/hemp shops.  I wandered into NIght Owl--the 70s
clothing store that was one of my first Barefeet OK! successes.  Sure enough,
the girl behind the counter had her BARE FEET propped up on the bottom shelf
of the diplay case. I spoke to her for a few minutes, then asked her to post
an updated Barefoot Hikers flyer on the bulletin board wall outside the store.
She happily agreed.  When I entered Gypsy Heaven, the witch shop (another
Barefeet OK! member with a Barefoot Hiker flyer on their bulletin board), one
of the employees (someone new) noticed my Barefoot Hikers t-shirt and asked if
I was part of the group advertised in the flyer. I replied that I was the
group leader.  She indicated an interest in the hikes, as she hates shoes
herself and "never wears them" (though she had sandals on as we spoke).  She
said it event upsets her friends because she'll go anywhere without shoes.  I
chatted with her for about 10 minutes, discussing my own barefooting habits,
religion, and of course the hike group.  She mentioned that a social worker
friend had also seen the flyer and wondered if I could design some sort of
hike/tour for the children she works with.  I said I could probably work
something out.  So, I left information for her to get in touch with me by
phone.  Later, I stopped in the small indoor mall in New Hope and entered a
sports memorabilia store.  Behind the counter was a young lady whom I had
talked to before about the hike group.  She started a conversation with me,
asking how things were going and so on.  She also asked for a new flyer, as
she and her boyfriend were interested in the group, but had lost the other one
I gave them.  Of course, I gladly gave her one.  She even invited me outside
on her cigarette break with her, so we spent a bit more time chatting.  
	Despite my positive reception in the New Hope stores and the gorgeous
weather, I saw almost NO other barefooters among the hundreds of people
wandering the streets.  I did see a wide variety of Birkenstocks, skimpy
sandals, and flip-flops.  Finally, though, just before leaving (rather early
as I had to get to work), I spied two teenage girls and an adult woman (one of
the girls' mother).  Both were wearing long bell-bottomed jeans so their feet
were nearly invisible.  However, one was carrying her sneakers.  I asked why
she didn't have her shoes on.  The adult woman replied, "The same reason you
don't. It's nice out."  The other girl, not carrying her shoes, felt compelled
to point out that she, too, was barefoot.  I saaw no shoes in sight and asked
where hers were.  She nodded toward her friend and said, "In her mom's car."
Finally, a TRUE barefooter!!  I spoke to all three of them for a few minutes.
Then I gave them a Barefoot Hikers flyer before wandering on my way.  The girl
with no shoes at all flashed me a thumbs up sign after reading the flyer  as I
was walking off.  So perhaps there is some hope for the future!!
	I also saw one woman obviously in uncomfortable shoes walking with her
family.  After some time and obvious discomfort, she shed her shoes and began
barefooting.  I wanted to talk to her, but our paths did not cross again. Oh
well!

Still to come--Princeton, NJ, and Annapolis, MD.

For now, take care, feet bare!

Barefoot Chris

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