I Miss Bare Feet

When school gets out in the States, there is a collective sigh, and then everyone takes their shoes off until September.

Everything feels better with bare feet: grass, sand, even hot pavement is no big deal once your feet are bare for about a week.

Flip flops should be handy just in case, but no shoes is the way to go.

Italians always have something on their feet. Shoes, slippers, sandals. They have good reason. The only country with more dogs per capita is probably France, and I wouldn't go barefoot there either.

Even in places where you would absolutely WANT to go barefoot here, like the Carso, most people will not, because of TICKS. They are gross little guys to be avoided, so even I wear shoes in the Carso.

There is one place with untainted grass. This means there are no dogs and no wild boars or deers or other animals who attract ticks.

The Soccer stadium. We were there yesterday to cheer on the runners of the 66th Annual Giro di San Giacomo. After it was over we played on the grass. We took off our shoes, and we took a selfie.

Welcome, Summer.