Saturday, August 25, 2012

run i can

Well over two years ago, I broke my right ankle in a futile gesture to preserve my disappearing youth.

The ankle healed quickly.  But it has never been quite the same.

I could walk well enough.  Even fast.  However, running seemed to be gone forever.  Whenever I tried, I felt as if my right leg was there as a cane to keep the left leg moving.

Maybe I have been wrong about the much-touted magic that is allegedly in the air of San Miguel de Allende.  Because something nearly miraculous has happened.

When I was in Dolores Hidalgo, I stopped to take some close-up shots of an independence monument whose socialist realism would do Pyongyang proud.  To get there, I needed to mount a series of wide steps.

For some reason, I decided to run up them.  And run I did.  In a well-balanced cadence.  No limp.  No hesitation.

The left side of my brain thinks the ride side is filled with all sort of artistic nonsense.  According to my left brain, there is no magic at all.  The change is the result of the extra exercise I get when I am in San Miguel.
 
  • The cobblestone streets give my ankle a thorough rotation workout.
  • Babs lives on a hill.  A steep hill.  It is better than any Stairmaster.  Going both up and down.
  • Even the stairs in the casita between the living area and the bedroom-bathroom level put my legs and ankles to the test.
Melaque cannot offer a bit of that.  I live in a flat apartment.  The streets are flat.  The surrounding area is flat.  Plus the fact that I drive always everywhere in the summer due to the heat reduces any leg or ankle tension.

By coming to the highlands to avoid the heat, I have chosen wisely to alight in a spot where I can actually get a bit of physical healing.

As is true of everything positive in life, there is a trade-off.

Wearing sandals here would be the act of a masochist.  So out came my Eccos.  One of the world's most comfortable shoes.

Unfortunately, cobblestones and leather seem to be the Liz and Dick of the sartorial world.  They simply do not go together.  At last, not without a good deal of scuffing.  In one week, the toes of my shoes looked as if I had been shining them with sand paper.

But this is Mexico.  There is always someone close at hand to help solve almost any problem.  A shoe shine man in the jardin, in this case.
 
I have not had by shoes shined by a stranger for years.  I always considered it one of those tasks best accomplished by myself.

But this guy was an expert.

First, he washed my shoes.  I almost felt like Peter at the last supper.

He then untied my laces, readjusted the tongues, and tied knots that would have pleased any vampire.  Next he wiped off the soapy water with a gentle massage that penetrated the shoe leather.

And then the hard work.  A brown wash to restore the color in the scuff areas.  And a layer of neutral wax to make my Eccos shine like Yul Brenner's pate.

To prove he had been doing this for some time, he buffed the shoes with a cloth in a syncopated snap.  It was quite a performance.  All for $20 (Mx) -- about $1.50 (US).

I walked away with a shine on my shoes -- and a smile on my face.

My legs and feet are feeling right fine these days.

26 comments:

norm said...

In Guatemala the kids skip school to shine shoes. I like my shoes shined as well so I went with a policy of only using a child to shine my shoes in the hours of the day when school was out. Kids have to eat to. 

Felipe Zapata said...

I have Eccos. Great shoes. And getting your shoes shined on the sidewalk is one of the fun (and cheap) things about living in Mexico. I do it all the time.

Debiinmerida said...

I experienced the same phenomenon while travelling. We were in several cities located on the sides of mountains, we walked everywhere, steep inclines, steep declines, steps and stairs, lots n lots of steps n stairs. My back and hip didn,t bother me at all, but oh my aching feet, but aching in a good way. It's amazing what exercise will do for you. But now, back at home where everything isflat, and the humidity level is too high for my little weather station to even measure it is back to sitting and sedentery. Ah well!

Mommy with Commuter Husband said...

An uplifting post today with a side-topic not often covered ... shoes shined in Mexico. Like it.

John Calypso said...

Great news about the ankle! A similar story: about 45 years ago  my pinkie finger was cut off below the middle knuckle clear down to the pad of the hand - clean off; then sewn back on. It worked clumsily and there was no feeling from the mid knuckle up - none. About 35 years later I woke up one morning and I suddenly had complete feeling in that finger - go figure. The body is an amazing, complex system.

Barbara said...

Timely post for me, as I've just started shoe shopping for my upcoming trip to SMA. As I'll be there in January, when evening are cool/cold, I thought I'd not take sandals. Seems from your comment that's a good idea, regardless of weather. But if closed-toe shoes don't do well there....what else is there? I don't want to wear athletic type shoes unless I have to - simply because they look....well...athletic (and touristy!).

I've been looking at Merrell and Teva, but now will check out Ecco as well. Was not aware of them. Thanks for mentioning the label.

Steve Cotton said...

In Melaque, I have the same policy about children beach vendors.

Steve Cotton said...

It made me feel like a gentleman.

Steve Cotton said...

Once October arrives, I will be out and about in Melaque.  Until then, San Miguel,Morelia and Patzcuaro will give me my daily exercise.  Today I hope to get to the botanical garden.

Steve Cotton said...

And, at least, my legs are keeping me uplifted.  Now,about that zipline ---

Steve Cotton said...

Eccos come in several styles.  But the most popular seem to be what I call my "bowling shoes."  The last pair I had were made of a suede-type cloth.  If I spend much more time around cobblestones, I will probably buy another pair like that.  The smooth leather is subject to scuffing.  Lots of scuffing. 

Steve Cotton said...

At dinner earlier in the week, Shannon and I talked about the body's healing power.  A portion of my foot was numb from my surgery until recently.  And, like your finger, it simply had feeling one day.  We are marvelously made. 

Babsofsanmiguel said...

I think you misunderstood Steve .  He said sandals are dangerous.  Although I wear Merrell's in any style I can find - sandals and close toed shoes.  It will be COLD in January and sandals will not be possible, unless you drive to the beach.
Teva's work well also but I really like the thick sole on Merrell's for walking on our uneven dangerous cobblestoned streets and unsmooth sidewalks.
Good luck

Babsofsanmiguel said...

Glad all the exercise is working its magic for you.....

Steve Cotton said...

Good point.  When I think of sandals, I think of my leather slip-ons that would slip right off going up and down the hill. But I guess the term sandal refers to a lot of other footwear of which I am totally unfamiliar.

Steve Cotton said...

Ah -- the perfect synthesis between my battling brains.

Dan in NC said...

Babs, you might want to let the lady who was thinking about shoes in on the secret of the "San Miguel combat sandals" that are my missus favorite shoes -in SMA or anywhere else!
Dan in NC

jennifer rose said...

The San Miguel sandals are no longer what they once were. 

I'd recommend Merrills, Mephistos or Campers.

Laurie Matherne said...

I was thinking of you today. Glad your ankle is better. I think that being around other people can bring healing, too. I love being in community. We need it as much as the air we breathe. I had my toes done a week or so ago, and she massage my feet, ankles, and legs up to my ankles. It was more than just a matter of splashing paint on my toes. Very invigorating to have a touch of personal service, isn't it? 

Steve Cotton said...

And to have it done by people who take great pride in their craftsmanship.

Stumpy said...

Many, many years ago I lost the little toe on my left foot in a lawn mower accident.  Afterwards my life just wasn't the same.  Walking was difficult.  I had a tendency to walk in a circle.  My friends took to calling me Stumpy.  I truly missed that damn toe.

Well, one morning about six months ago, I awoke to find that the toe had simply grown back!  Imagine my joyful surprise!  The power of the mind is quite amazing.

Babsofsanmiguel said...

Dan, when they first started making them with tire treads, I liked them but the stuff around the ankle bothers me and I haven't had a pair in about 8 years.  We can tell the tourists by who has them on.  With 35 to 50 degrees in January, even those sandals won't be warm enough.  That will be sock and shoe weather.
 

Steve Cotton said...

It appears the cynic bus must have just pulled into the station.

Dana Jennings said...

I'm a lover of Merrell's, too! 

Barbara said...

Babs I am so glad you chimed in here! I would have asked you directly (via your blog, which I've read for years, thank you) but have never been able to comment on it (can't make out the weird writing you must duplicate - after numerous attempts it kicks me out so I've stopped trying). Though I'll take your advice. Yes, I want warm, secure shoes - if my feet are cold, I'm cold!

Thank you again. Barbara

Steve Cotton said...

Can you run in them?