the red revolution

Que viva la revolucion! Red shoes and white flowers

At first I thought it was me. Because I notice red, and especially red shoes! So I thought it was just that they were catching my eye. But then I pointed it out to Nisarga and we started counting how many red shoes we spotted as we walked around sightseeing one day and there was no way that this was a coincidence. They were everywhere. Red shoes everywhere! Pumps, flats, flip-flops, heels, tennis, loafers, the works! And not only that, there were red purses, belts, skirts, tops, whole outfits! Red was everywhere. And among the locals, not the tourists. Had we not noticed before? Or was this special to Andalucia? Or maybe just Cordoba? Whatever the trend meant, it was undeniable that red was exploding everywhere.

And we were prepared for this revolution. The red hat we had gotten Nisarga for his birthday the day before fit right in (his non-birthday birthday). As for me, I had a pair of red platforms with me that I just love! Ok, lets rewind a bit. At the beginning of fall 2007 I saw these red platforms on sale, on line, from one of my favourite shoe stores. So since I can’t order on line and have things delivered to India, I ordered the pair and had it sent to my mother’s address figuring at some point they and I will meet. Almost a year later I arrive and there they are, gorgeous and half a size too big. They are pretty high platforms so the slope makes my foot slide to the front hence half a size smaller would have been ideal. No matter, I love them, I just won’t wear them hiking. Done! I pack them up with me and take them to Nice. When I unpack Nisarga sees them and loves them instantly. He adores them. Of course when it’s time to leave some things in Barcelona, I contemplate leaving the platforms since I probably won’t have too many opportunities to wear them while we travel anyway and our bags are already heavier then we can carry. Nisarga immediately objects to this idea. So we come to an arrangement, I will wear them… but he will carry them on his back. He agrees. Wow! He really loves them! So here I am a month later… part of the red shoe revolution of Andalucia.

When we ask Pedro about it he says that Cordobans are particularly trendy, and that probably red is in this summer and next summer it may be yellow and the next green. I had wondered if it was maybe a traditionally popular colour in this area or something. Guess not. Still, we’re in!

Another part of the revolution is the white flower. This white daisy looking thing, but cartoonish. It’s on t-shirts, bumper stickers, hats, post cards, everywhere! Nisarga noticed it and asked about it. Pedro and Pilar had no explanation as to why this was springing up everywhere. Nisarga, not willing to let this matter rest, asked shop keepers and vendors where he saw merchandise with this emblem being sold. Finally, someone said that it was the mark of the brand called “guru”, go figure. This is actually hard to believe because it’s not like a branded thing, it’s just everywhere.

Anyway, whether this explanation is true or not, there is a red shoe and white flower revolution happening in Andalucia right now. FYI just in case you planned to visit soon and wondered what to pack.