Feet

September 12, 2022

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

 ~ Isaiah 52:7

One of my favorite quotes from the sitcom Cheers goes like this: Sam asked, “What is the point to life?” Clifford, the mail carrier answered, “Comfortable shoes. Yeah, if you’re not wearing comfortable shoes life is just chaos.”  

Clifford was right. A comfortable pair of hiking shoes that are broken in is the single most important piece of equipment on the Camino. I’ve been taking some longer walks in preparation for the pilgrimage on back-to-back days. What I’ve discovered is that there is a threshold around mile 7 when I notice “hot spots’ on one or two toes. These are the early warning sign that blisters are forming.

I’m experimenting with different “fixes.” Special blister bandages are helpful if applied carefully. Wearing a pair of liner socks can help as well. Staying well-hydrated is recommended. Some people recommend coating your feet with petroleum jelly before putting on your socks,  stopping to air out your feet every three miles and reapplying the petroleum jelly. Another person recommended applying Aquaphor on the outside of your socks. One source recommended applying a piece of duct tape over all hot spots. I’m having a hard time imagining how the duct tape would stick. I can imagine slip-sliding away with all that lubrication on my feet.

Of one thing, I am sure. Whatever the condition of my feet,  I want to walk with feet that bring good news, peace, good tidings, every step a reminder and witness that God reigns.

Not chaos, but peace with every step. ~ Anne