From: Christopher Roat
Subject: Week of Barefooting
Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 20:46:01 -0400 (EDT)

	I had some great barefoot experiences this week.  On Monday evening,
I went to the PA state fair.  Last year, I wore sandals and ended up carrying
them the entire time.  This year, I didn't even take shoes with me.  Going
through the gate, the woman taking the tickets commented, "You don't have
shoes."  I replied, "I don't like them. I'm more comfortable without them."
My friend (a shoddie) also answered, "He goes everywhere barefoot."  The
woman shrugged and let us pass.  I received a few more comments later in the
evening, mostly good natured, but astonished, observations and warnings of
the "danger" of stepping on things.  I saw one other girl who took off her
sandals and began walking barefoot and one guy who might have worked for the
fair barefoot.  Other than that, I was alone.  It was great barefoot terrain.
Blacktop, dirt, gravel, etc.  My feet were a little sore Tuesday as this was
my first serious day of barefooting for the summer and I'm still
reconditioning.
	On Thursday, I went on my first "real" barefoot "hike."  A friend and
I went to Silver Lake in Bensalem.  She (a shoddie) took me hiking through
the woods.  I made the decision to stay barefoot, much to her amazement. In
the past, my "hikes" had been walks on paved trails in the park.  This was
much different.  The trail varied from wood chips to various sized gravel to
wooden paths and bridges. When I saw the gravel, I was a little concerned
that my feet wouldn't be able to handle it, but it was much easier than I
thought. The hike was pretty painless, and my feet felt fine today. I guess I
am getting accustomed to walking barefoot.  On the way home, I stopped at a
Caldor to drop off some contest entry forms. I had no problems, though I do
unconsciously try to avoid store employees.
	Today, I went to a local mall, where I've gone barefoot 5 times
before.  Store employees seem to have no problem with it, though I still
avoid mall security guards. I was kicked out of another mall by the security
officers for my barefooting. I got a lot of stares and whispers, but only one
comment.  A female store employee in The Wall record store said, "You forgot
your shoes today."  I replied, "I know, I do that a lot."  In another store,
a young child noticed my bare feet and excitedly pointed them out to his
mother, whose response I did not hear.  All in all, it was a pretty good week
of barefooting--I don't think I've had shoes on since Sunday. The weather is
warming to perfect barefoot temperatures.  Aside from the problems with
harassment that I mentioned in the newsgroup (Attitude Adjustment) while I
was in stores on Monday, I haven't been hassled much.
	Just thought I'd report. Happy Barefooting!!!

Barefoot Chris