new shoes

Brad and I wanted to get some new sneakers for our trip so we decided to go to Paseo Bolivar in the center of the city to do our shopping. Shopping there is nice because it's cheap and there are tons of shoe stores.

But when told our taxi driver to take us there he was reluctant. "Listen," he said, "you have to be very careful down there. Very careful. Be careful."

"OK."

For the entirety of the ten minute ride he continued with his warnings. Brad and I have been there before without any problems, but we were beginning to feel like sheep about to be shorn.

As we got further into the center of the city the driver reached back and locked all of the doors. "Very dangerous," he said.

My palms were getting sweaty and my stomach was uneasy and I started to think about turning around. Just then we arrived at Paseo Bolivar and our driver announced that he would accompany us on our shopping trip, just to be safe.

He not only accompanied us, but also bargained for us, which saved us 30,000 pesos, about 15 dollars.

In all it was a safe and successful trip. Today Brad and I are walking around the apartment with our shoes on, trying to break them in before we head out, exactly 48 hours from now!