ave got most things bought for my trip but still need really comfy sandals.I'll be first in Madrid then up in a mountain village in Soria so want something,cool, comfy, and practical.Would it be good to wait and shop in Madrid,or too hot to even contemplate it.

Patricia,

For years I refused to buy sandals. Finally my wife convinced me to try them. I tried several brands, and hated them.....

One day I was talking to a friend who was wearing sandals. I told him how I hated them... the way they fit... and everything that was wrong about them.

Not being one for "convention," he pulled one off and handed it to me. Birkenstock was the manufacturer.

The darned sandal had molded itself perfectly to his foot....

Well, I decided to check them out. When I saw the price, I nearly keeled over... My Gawd! They cost more than all the other sandals I had bought combined. I certainly wasn't going to spend that much money on something that would end up in the trash with the others I had tried.

Making a long story a bit shorter... my wife insisted that I get them. In fact she staged an impromptu "sit down strike" in the store when I walked out. I told her I was going next door to a coffee shop... When she regained her senses, she could join me.

I finished my coffee... still no wife...

I went back to the store and bought the darned sandals.

That was four years ago. They molded to my foot like they should, and feel so comfortable it's incredible.

Now my wife has a problem getting me into other shoes even in the winter I wear them around the house, and just a little over a month ago, we went to a christening where I was in a suit with....... you guessed it..... sandals on

Don't do like I did. Get the best, and no matter where they are made.... you'll be pleased you did.

Wolf (Shouldn't I get commissions from Birkenstock for the plug ...)

Hi, my name�s Encarna. I read your question about shopping sandals. You must know that we have good shoes in Spain, so you can buy everywhere of Spain you go. Just a advice, if you go to place with mountains, it�s better that you use closed tip shoes. But if you want to choose more, it�s better that you buy them in Madrid. If you are going to stay in the center, you�ve got a lot of shoe stores near Puerta del Sol or in the same Puerta del Sol (For example, Viva Zapato). On Preciados or Carmen St. you can look for them in "Calzados Diez" (before buy, call a sales person that will find you the model you want). Some very good shoe stores that are also expensive are "Pasos" (between Carmen St. and Preciados) and "Camper" (Very very stylish and really really expensive).
On Arenal St. (You go straight on to Opera), you will find two or three more. But if you don�t want to search during long time in the middle of the hot temperatures, you can go to "El Corte Ingl�s" (Big stores in Puerta del Sol) or see the sandals and shoes in Zara.
Remember that we have sales already. And have fun on your vacation.
Un beso, Ena

Hi, Patricia, I took sandals to Madrid only to find they became uncomfortable in the heat. I went shopping for some and found a few wonderfully comfy ones in Corte Ingles. There were different styles to choose from in a range callled 24 hours. They cost in the region of �30 but worth every penny. Soooooo soft and cushioned the feet on every surface.
Good shopping!
Sue.

I have mixed feelings about sandals. I have a couple of pairs of Birskenstocks, but I wouldn't dream of having them be long distance walking shoes, especially not in heat, as even they might blister the top of your tootsies. I took a deep breath and bought a pair of Mephisto dressy sandals, and even got a few blisters with them initially! Bummer! I really think that for comfort and good foot health, wearing socks and walking shoes(Eccos, Rockports)is a good bet. Yes, socks! Especially if they are the two layer, moisture wicking kind. You might look sort of geeky and touristy, but you feet will thank you. I can only speak from the point of view of a person with feet that, like Clementine's, would fit in herring boxes! (Explanation of this obscure sentence is available at no cost)

Sue,

I got it! "Oh my darling! Oh my darling! doo dee doo."""""

Right?

JP

Yes! JP wins! And what is behind door number one? A fun-filled, no-expenses paid trip to Rockford, Michigan, home of Wolverine World Wide and the Hushpuppy shoe!
Shop for shoes at cutrate prices! Bike on the White Pine Trail! Sleep on the Yurick's new futon and try to set a record at the Hot Dog Hall of Fame at the Corner Bar(the record is 41 chili dogs, I think)

"Light she was and like a feather(or a fairy?) though her shoes were number nine; herring boxes without topses sandals were for Clementine." I actually wear a seven, but my feet a square.

Sue,

One of the best prizes I've ever won...

Now, 41 chili dogs seems like a belt busting number, but I suppose a person should take a shot at it just in case they are so lucky as to find an "all you can eat" paella restaurant in Spain. You gotta be prepared!

You mention shoe size... think about my plight. At least a 13-1/2-WWW, and 14s actually feel more comfortable. You should see the reaction of clerks when I go into shoe stores in Spain and look for something nifty to wear... They just shake their collective heads... and tell me politely that the only thing they have that may fit my foot is the cases that shoe boxes come in.

Since I like to wear Birkenstocks as casual, I have to be careful where I lay them down. Snoop satellites may be claiming they found the footprints of dinosaurs that are still alive...

Our last trip to Spain, my wife argued with me that my shoes (two pair) were half of our luggage...

JP (Who doesn't own ballerina shoes.)

Yippppeeeee! I finally got my "novia" (girlfriend) to join the board and post. She was shy up till now and it took no less than a shoe shopping post to motivate her and take away some of that timidness. I am referring to the third message above, the post form "Osita". Patricia, seems you started a hot topic here, take the advice and run, especially that of Ena (my girlfriend aka "Osita" = "little female bear"). If her advice has helped at least my losing her for 3 hours on Saturday afternoons to the shoe stores will make some sense to me for once .
Saludos,
jer...

JP: Are you as tall as your large shoe size would indicate, or did GOD "turn too much under for feet" as my old grannie from Oklahoma used to say? I sympathize with your wife. Hmm, all you can eat paella....don't think there is such a thing, as the Spanish, though food lovers, are not the greedyguts we Americans tend to be.

Jer: Thanks for blowing your sweetie's cover! I'll try real hard not to speculate too much on the origin of her nickname!

Ena: Bienvenida y felicitaciones en tener un novio tan amable como Jer.

Sue,

I'm not as tall as the feet indicate. I believe that would be "vertically challenged?"

JP

�'mon folks,give me time to say thanks to everyone for such good advice. Osita,your hard work has paid off,for me at least,I have printed off your list and will go shopping in Madrid.THANKS.Sue , I also know the song but wasn't quick enough to win,heck. You would not believe this. I live in an area of factory shops for both shoes and clothes, great prices and close to home but somehow shopping on holiday is sooooooo much more fun.Gracias mi nuevo amigos.

Hi Patricia, that's "Gracias mis nuevos amigos" (pluralize both the adjective and noun). Once a teacher always a pain in the "culo" ("ass"), that's what I always say!
Saludos and if you see my girlfriend out there while shopping tell her to come home, she already has enough "zapatos" ("shoes") .
jer...

Hi Jer. can't you tell I am coming to Spain to help Spaniards speak English,not the other way around? As you can see I need all the help I can get with Spanish but that was my first attempt so thanks for the lesson.How can"shopping for sandals" be so interesting? What time do most shops open and close on weekdays in Madrid. We will stand in Plaza Mayor in awe because we are so close to "the keeper of the web cam".

Patricia, I found shops open between 9.30 and 10am, I was stood waiting for Zara's to open at 10 and could not believe the lines of people waiting to get into Cortes Ingles at every door. Eager beavers eh?