What Was I Just Saying?

Yes, I realize how hypocritical this post is so quick on the heels of the last. But, allow me to clarify. I'm not so much "anti-stuff" as I am "anti-useless-stuff-that-takes-up-too-much-space". I'm all for useful stuff. And what's more useful than shoes? I mean, you've got to have them, right?

And Brazil's Havaianas are the hands-down best flip-flops in the world. (So what if they offer little to no arch support and after 3 years of using them my foot is a size larger, requiring me to buy all new shoes (dang it! ;)? ). And, they are so cheap here-just over $10 USD a pair-compared to close to $30.00 in the States. Let's not forget I'm leaving next week, and I probably won't return to Brazil for years, if ever. And, did I mention Margarita and I have the same size foot right now, so we can share shoes? So when I buy 2 pairs, it's really like I'm buying one for me and one for her? And, flip flops take up hardly any space at all.

So what's a girl to do?

I love them. All of them.

Best of Big City, Brazil: Havaianas

Once upon a time I lived in a place called Small Town, Mexico.

Living in Small Town was, hmmmmm, how shall I put it?

Challenging. (am I right, or am I right, k-squared's mom?)

It was basically a small, icky, boring, oil town. When I found out we were leaving Small Town to move to Big City, Mexico, I did a dance of joy...and I realized that Small Town wasn't ALL bad, just mostly. So, being the positive person that I am, I started blogging about the "best of Small Town" and the "not so best of Small Town" to help me see the good (while at the same time being realistic). These posts can be found in March-June 2006.

Anyway, I'm going to start doing that here in Brazil; not because living here is anywhere near as bad as Small Town, but because I won't live here forever and I want to remember what it was like, both the positives and the negatives.

So, tonight I will start with a positive. Havaianas flip flops. I love them for several reasons.

1) Comfort.

These Brazilian flip flops are SO comfortable. I don't know why they are so much more comfortable than other flip-flops, they just are. There is no between-the-toes-discomfort that I have, at times, experienced with other flip flops.

2) Price.

The basic model costs around $10.00 USD, metallic ones will cost you a couple bucks more and the "dress" model (see below) costs around $17.00.

3) Availability.

They sell these shoes everywhere. Of course normal places like sporting goods stores and shoe stores have them, but they are also sold at newsstands (that they have on every block), drugstores, and IN THE GROCERY STORE.

Ok. Maybe, just maybe, this could have something to do with my high grocery bills. But really, I can buy either two pairs of shoes or one thing of maple syrup. Sorry kids-no waffles this weekend. (If I don't teach them about sacrifice-who will???)

Chronology of An Addiction

It all started with the basic white model with the cute little Brazilian flag:



Then, I upgraded to my first pair of metallic flip-flops (gold):



Then I realized I was wearing them way to much and that they weren't really dressy enough to wear out to dinner so I bought the dress version (silver):



I was really liking the metallic thing so I decided I needed some bronze:



I know, you're thinking they look just like the gold, but really, they are quite different from one another. See?:



And here's my most recent pair, purchased last Saturday while I tried, unsuccessfully, to find Guapo something for his birthday (isn't me being happy really the best gift I could give Guapo?):



And lest you think this shoe fetish is all about me, check out Pedro's latest pair:



You can bet that when I finally leave Brazil, I will have an a lifetime supply of flip-flops somewhere in my shipment.

Why Guapo Can't Quit

Here's why Guapo can't retire quite yet:


My recent shoe purchases. The picture does not give an accurate account of what took place last week as there were many pairs of Crocs and sandals that came box-less. Disturbing isn't it?

Why, you ask, am I buying so many pairs of shoes?

We have heard that clothing and shoes can be quite pricey in Rio, so as Guapo likes to tell people, I took a trip to the States to shop in the name of "saving money," (of course making the quotation marks as he says it).

I took Margarita and Pedro to Colorado for the long weekend, leaving Julio and Juan Carlos to spend a fun-filled "boys' weekend" with their dad. My dad and I concocted an evil plan to surprise my mom: as far as my mom knew, my dad was traveling to Big City to pay us a final visit before the move; she was to take him to the airport. Instead, he picked us up at the airport and took us home where we left Pedro on the front door step, rang the bell and hid.



It was great fun to see her looking at Pedro as if she knew him, but not being able to put together how that could be possible!

My dad and brother finally got to meet 3 month old Pedro:



(same cheeks, don't you think?)



Margarita, my mom and I all ran the Bolder Boulder, a huge (almost 50,000 people huge) 10K held on Memorial Day.



Margarita was number 99. I don't know how many times we heard someone cheering her on, "Go 99, you can do it!!!" It was so cute, she had a blast.

And last but not least, we got to see Mama Grey-the cat I picked out when I was 7 years old. That's right-she's turning 26 this year.



I will post more about my new shoes soon (not all of the boxes were mine, in case you were wondering!) :)