Shoes!

The good people of Aldo have decided that Manila is a good place to open a store. What is Aldo and why do I mention them here?

My story starts in 2001, a trip to the US brought me to DC for work. On a free afternoon walking around Georgetown, I see this store with interesting shoes. Walking in, there's an immediate European vibe, Italian style, and my shoe salivary glands (or the part of all Imeldific Manilenyas that goes thumpa thumpa) are in overdrive. I barely remember what was in vogue that long ago, but I do remember falling for two pairs - a black 3 inch pump, and a black stacked oxford. Bought them, dragged my shopping back to the hotel and drooled over them further (you know how women who've just bought shoes do it - we put on one or both shoes, raise our leg to an attactive height for angular inspection of the shoe, preferably in front of a mirror so we see how Mahvellous! the shod foot looks. A good hour of that is typical after a successful shoe shopping trip.).

Part of the work schedule also included a night out sponsored by the Turkish embassy, and we all trooped down to embassy row in our finery. I had to use the new heels, and it was the perfect look for a night of schmoozing. However, it soon spiralled into a painful evening, as I can only do one hour of standing in heels before my feet begin to scream for relief. The setting for the cocktails didn't include any place to sit for over 4 hours and I barely made it to the taxis back that night. It was awhile before I used those shoes again, but they still have a place in my shoe collection.

The oxfords were far more abused. I walked miles in them and would love to get another pair if Aldo still carries something similar to it. They had a masculine facet, but were very polished for a work shoe. After 5 years of use, I decided it was time to let it go.

Aldo has opened a branch in the Bonifacio High Street, Fort Bonifacio. My nightly prayer will be that they carry my size.