Flip-flop faux pas

I've entered the world of the fashion-conscious. A world where shapeless Egyptian shirts and, apparently flip-flops, just won't do.

I was out of clean socks yesterday and opted for sandals for a day out in Madrid, thinking nothing of it. As soon as I set foot in the metro station, though, I started to notice people looking at my feet. Feeling a bit self-conscious, I started to look at THEIR feet, and to my astonishment, I noticed I was the only one wearing flip-flops. Actually I was the only one wearing sandals at all. Everyone else had on heels, or boots, many of them knee-high, or cute little flats, or sneakers, including Converse but not running shoes - only very trendy sneakers, like Pumas.

So I was looking around at everyone's shoes, feeling inadequate (but certainly not enough to change!) and I realized my entire outfit was like my flip-flops - very uncool. It might have actually been OK, except I've been wearing the same thing, or a variation on it, for 2 1/2 months. Blah!

So I did what any self-respecting girl would do - I went shopping! I would need something cute for Barcelona, right? I found this great store, Zara, it's like Banana Republic, with Gap prices. I got two new tops and a purse, but made myself stop before buying any shoes - no room!

At the metro, on my way back to the hostel, I saw a guy on the other platform wearing (gasp!) flip-flops. And I thought to myself, "Ah, he must be a foreigner."
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