Three weeks ago: It’s time for my annual trip to Europe! I’m leaving Bangalore early in the morning (at 6 am), happy to escape the South Indian monsoon – which wasn’t really impressive so far, but things might change in August! My flight with Gulf Air involves a 24 hours stopover in Muscat, Oman.

I’m boarding the flight barefoot – as usual and without the slightest problem. Arriving in Muscat, I’m told that passengers are entitled to stay at the Holiday Inn for free (transfer and meals included!). Leaving my luggage in the room, I’m spending the whole day (from 9:30 am to 8 pm) in Muscat.

Exploring Old Muscat with the palace and several forts is interesting, but the real fun starts in Muthra: The harbour and bazaar are waiting for me, a maze of alleys and shops, bustling with vendors, locals and a few foreign tourists. It’s a hot day with temperatures well above 40° C, but I’m used to the South Indian summer – and so are my tough soles! Many shops in Muthra are owned by Indians, Pakistanis or Bangladeshis. They’re a friendly bunch, well-versed in English and always curious to know why I’m wearing no shoes – and how I can possibly stand the hot tarmac!  Passing by a cyber-café, I’m invited to rest a while, enjoying the – quite effective – AC. The next 10 minutes or so I’m busy to explain the young owner from North India why it is so much fun to walk barefoot in the streets of Muscat. Soon, the whole staff gathers around us, listening to his translation and asking additional questions… Only 20 minutes later: A fruit- and vegetable vendor from Bangladesh asks me: “How do you manage to be barefoot? It is SO HOT outside! He serves me a Mountain Dew while I’m convincing him that neither the heat nor little pieces of glass etc. are a serious threat for me – not after having spent more than six years on bare soles! He smiles, replying “you’re a tough man” – and wishes me all the best. Some people I meet are so curious that they ask me to show them my ultra-tough soles, and a young lad (chatting with a group of guys in their late teens) even pinches the leather-like skin …

It’s a remarkable day, and I experience again what I’ve already noticed countless times: Roaming around barefoot is VERY communicative – and a good way to make new friends!

In the evening, back in the hotel: I’m massaging my feet, examining every centimetre of my soles. They’re quite black by now – not really a surprise! – and tougher than ever!

If you want to read more about me and my life on bare soles or if you’re looking for other like-minded souls, check my Yahoo-Group “The Barefoot Traveller’s Tepee”! More than 600 members from different corners of the world, the largest online-collection of barefoot-links and a huge photo-section are waiting for you!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barefoottravelling/