Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.
Boots are a type of shoes.The main difference between a shoe and a boot is that boots cover the ankle and sometimes the lower leg, while shoes generally don’t.
I was a law student in England.My father funded all my fees at University and later at the Inns of Court in London. I was also enjoying a fat student allowance but I would never spend my papa’s money on fancy clothes and stuff.
However, I fell head over heels for the trendy knee high leather boots that I saw at Russell and Bromley in Oxford Street, on my way to the underground tube station.
Idea! A good idea flashed in my mind!
I secured a job as salesgirl at Self Ridges during end of trimester vacation.
Et voilà! I bought my first knee high leather boots, color brown with high heels!
I wore my adorable boots during autumn, winter and early spring,with added pride, having bought them with my own earned money.
I love boots. Even at my age now, I feel very tomboyish, wearing them with my old jeans.
Anita Bacha
In India,attending the Jaipur Literary Festival 25.cc. photo.
I embarked on a spiritual journey last spring and headed towards an ashram in search of self enquiry. My destination was India, a country known for its vast spiritual heritage. I carried in my luggage the minimal personal effects including a pair of old thongs. This search for the Truth of Oneself will, in my mind, be restrictive on personal wants and needs.
Two days after I had rambled around in my old thongs, I noticed that part of the right sole was coming off; I brought it closer to my eyes to have a microscopic view of the damage; I then perceived that there was another problem; the strap which run from between the big toe and the second toe to the right side of the sandal was threading off and thinning. I sadly told myself that the thongs had expired due to old age, wear and tear. It was essential for me to look for new thongs before the expired ones left me half-way. Opportunity knocked when the next morning I walked into a store to buy fruit juice. An array of attractive and colorful thongs was displayed on a self. I tried a few pairs until I fell on one which fitted perfectly.
I settled my bill, removed the new thongs from the box, glided my feet into them and placed the expired ones into the carton to throw away. Strangely, I could not find a dustbin and the expired thongs slept in the box under my bed almost forgotten.
Time passed by. For the festival of Mahashivratri, innumerable pilgrims arrived in the ashram from all over the world. One night, I misplaced my new thongs. I immediately run for the rescue of the expired ones. I had been advised by a physician to walk barefoot which was supposedly a good exercise for different types of inflammation and beneficial for my sore knees, but accustomed to the western way of life, I found it hard to hop around like a grasshopper without footwear.
Eventually, the expired thongs silently resumed their job of transporting me. Every time I came out of a hall or canteen where footwear was not allowed, my eyes fell on them waiting for me, tattered yet so warm. They were serving submissively and devotedly like old wives. I left them here and there, under the nose of everyone but nobody touched them. They were too old to draw attention or to be stolen. Expired they were, in the eyes of all except in mine. What a startling spiritual lesson to learn! Respect and hold on to the old; in times of need, they are the most helpful.
Further, nothing ever happens accidently or mysteriously, spiritual life shows us. For every happening, there is a proper reason. Moreover we are taught that inanimate objects too have feelings and emotions. For instance, it is told in the sacred Hindu book ‘The Ramayana’ that when Lord Rama went to rescue his wife Sita from the demon King Ravana, an army of monkeys came to his help. They built a bridge by plucking mountains from the Himalayas and throwing them into the seas to allow Rama to walk from his land to the realm of Ravana. When the bridge was done, one mountain cried because it was plucked from its original place but not used. Lord Rama then promised the mountain that in his next Avatara, it will receive his blessings. This very mountain was the Govardhana Peak which Rama as the Avatar Krishna lifted on his finger and held aloft for seven days in order to save the inhabitants of Gokul from the devastation of torrential rain.
To cut a long story short, I returned home with the expired thongs, having learnt that self enquiry leads one to detach from people, mundane life and affairs by opening one’s eyes to the deficiencies in them.
Anita Bacha
Write till your signature becomes your autograph cc.Anita Bacha
Surprisingly it is! I am a successful career woman and the happiest mother in the world.
A year ago I was striving to get recognition as a writer. I was still a practicing Barrister but my passion for literature was starving for an international audience.
My patience and perseverance were crowned with success when I was felicitated for a long and successful career at The Bar by the Mauritius Bar Association. At the same time, KindleAmazon sent me the report of my royalties earned from the sales of my books.My readers were from the four corners of the world!
All my children are successful accountants and businessmen. Last but not least my daughter in law, an avid politician won the seat of Junior Minister of Youth and Sports at the last general election held in Mauritius on 10 November 2024.
Receiving a medal for 53 years standing at The Bar from the hands of Senior Counsel and President of MBA, Mr.N.Ramburn.
Anita Bacha 