Maharashtrian chappals on Shimla’s undulating roads

On frequent visits to Mumbai, with its sultry weather and more or less ‘sane’ temperature all year around, I used to move around bare feet at home there. On visits outside, it would be either Kohlapuri chapplas or sandals. Only those working in corporate offices had to wear socks and shoes.

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My native city Shimla is just the opposite. Weather is cold most of the year and crew-neck T-shirts are a norm as well as shoes and not chapplas.

Travelling between two extremes, I would have a harrowing time carrying both summer and winter gear along till someone suggested — ‘buy and wear local’.

Life was little easy and travel lighter after that. Few summers back in Shimla, I went out wearing jeans and kurta. Out of sheer habit, I slipped into Kohlapuris, left behind on an earlier visit. The strutting walk soon turned into a limp, as Maharashtrian chappals got entangled in Shimla’s undulating roads. So much for the plan that made life easier.

Vivek Mohan, Shimla