"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." (Kahlil Gibran)

I’m a German but I’ve left Europe for good, living in India for the past seven years. I’m quite an average guy – except for my trademark: I'm always barefoot, all-year-round, wherever I go, whatever I do! Most of my friends have never seen me wearing shoes… For me, being barefoot isn’t just a fashion statement: It’s a lifestyle, a way to express myself. And of course an amazing sensual experience: I can FEEL the ground! Would you wear gloves all-year-round? Nopes! So: Why shoes? Walking barefoot, I’m far more “in touch”, in touch with nature, with Mother Earth… Energy can flow freely, I’m never disconnected. It’s very refreshing and stimulating, and the ecological impact is far less dramatic (erosion!) if I’m hiking without shoes. Somehow I’m more defensive, less aggressive if barefoot. Walking barefoot isn’t only special but also communicative: Travelling a lot I’ve made friends in many countries, explaining why I’m roaming around barefoot!
Coming to India I realized: Many people are going barefoot, all the time and everywhere, not only in rural areas and villages but also in town! Even if you’re staying in a big city – one of those hot-spots of modernization and westernisation: You’ll be unable to spend ten minutes in the streets without spotting a pair of dusty bare feet! And it seems quite obvious to me that living barefoot isn’t a privileged of the poor, especially in the South, especially in cities like Chennai. But I wonder: What about the educated youth – students, university graduates? Has anyone of you chosen to go barefoot ‘cause it’s more comfortable, healthy and relaxing, ‘cause it’s cool or just fun?