I have to buy new slippers today

Feb.24, 2007 - Island sunset

Olympus E-1, Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital: 1/80s f/3.3 at 40.0mm iso400

Good Monday morning - I rode all the way to Madridejos at the top of the Island yesterday, and on the way back passed through Bantayan Town, and noticed a 70-75 year old man in really bad shape (walking very slowly, unkempt with very dirty clothing) bending down in the middle of the road to try to fix his slipper (sandal/flip-flop) which had broke while he was walking....I noticed his slippers were way beyond repair anyway.

Trying to cross the street there at the intersection is bad enough, but this gentleman was clearly in danger of getting hit by a passing triciad or worse, so I told myself 'I'm going to swing around with a u-turn and find this guy...and give him my slippers (I had on a pair of red Beach Walks, same as the old man)

I only had P20 (40 cents USD) in my pocket at that time, and a pair of new slippers would have been P30 at least, so I wouldn't have been able to buy him a pair of new ones.

And I did just that - took off my slippers & drove off barefoot to find him, and I found him at the Plaza standing next to a candy vendor, and I just drove right up to him and handed him my slippers, saying 'these are for you, Sir'

He took the slippers, but didn't seem to even notice me - he didn't say a word & didn't seem very coherant at all; his eyes were a million miles away.

The candy vendor noticed what I did & was grinning & telling the other trike drivers there, as if it were funny - so I just rode away quickly after the old man took his new slippers, as to not cause a scene.

But I did look over my shoulder as I rode away barefoot, and the old man's eyes were lit up - he was balancing himself on a bench while putting on one slipper & I think it fit him perfectly (size 11)

I rode out through the intersection & smiled - I really wanted to just stay there with him for a few minutes, but didn't want other Filipinos laughing at him because a foriegner gave him the slippers off his feet - so I smiled & noticed how strange it is riding a motorcycle while barefoot......it's not very safe to do and I'd never ever recommend it to anyone driving a motorcycle...but I thought these were extenuating circumstances, his needing what I already had on my own feet.

The hot sun yesterday felt really good on my feet as I rode home - and I hope my old slippers felt as comfortable to that old man.

I hope I see him again in town.
PJAMES