It's All About die Schuhe

I could tell you all about my day.

The highs (rocking my German test). And the lows (a new facet of DU's Masters Program I'm trying to get into next year).

But instead, I am going to skip all that and focus on what is really important: Shoes.

Now let me preface this post with a (shocking) statement: I am not a shoe person. I own, maybe 10 pairs, and wear (regularly) ... 2?

OK. Now that I've gotten that off my chest, we'll continue:

To say that I've been living in my sneakers is an understatement. Living in Wien is A LOT of walking (to the Halterstrasse), running (to the U-Bahn), and trudging up stairs (to the apartment, the U-Bahn, and school).

Old Faithfuls.

Now, do not get me wrong. I love my beat up O.F.'s like any other human who cherishes happy feet. But I have worn nothing but them since I got here - just over a month ago. Every. Day. No exception. Why? Because it's either my O.F.'s, knee high boots, or black heels. I refuse to wear the heels (happy feet, remember?) and boots.. in this heat? I don't think so.

So O.F.'s it's been and we've gotten along famously. But my (lack of) shoe wear has kept me out of 1/2 the clothes I brought because, no matter how hard I try to convince myself, that small, small part of me which acknowledges right and wrong says my sneakers just don't look right with a knee length A-line skirt. For some reason, it just doesn't work (Fashion designers, can we get on that? Stat?).

Aware of this, I've been on a hunt these last few weeks, trolling the streets of Wien for a proper pair of walking flats that a) look decent b) won't make my feet cry and c) won't make my bank account cry.

And I was striking out. Big time. I was hitting up the Thrift Store (20Euro for used shoes...really?) every weekend. Walking, walking...searching. Nada. Or as my German Professor would say "keinen Schuhe"  (no shoes). I was complaining to everyone and anyone who would listen that I was destined to walk Wien in sneakers. Until Roomie D heard my cries and took pity on me (or just wanted me to shut up..hmmm...).

Taking her advice, I found my way to a little shop down the street from the Thaliastrasse U-Bahn.

When I first walked in, I'll admit. I was slightly skeptical.

Shoes here in Wien are...well, let's go with popular, shall we? After all, they must keep up with all the new fashions.

I'm afraid to know what fashion these are keeping up with.

Boots - in particular - are in high demand this season.

Would I ever find what I needed? Just a nice pair of flats, no bows, or ribbons or fringe (shudder).

And then, tucked away between the wall and the register. There they were. Flats. In normal colors. I quickly grabbed up the first pair - brown - and tried them on. A perfect fit (size 39 - wow!). And the price wouldn't kill me (15Euro). I tried to find other colors (staples, you know) but they only had one pair of 39's in any color. And they were mine. All mine.

They're now sitting in front of the cabinet - just waiting for me to take them out. 

And that concludes The Great Shoe Search in Wien of 2009.