Do you have an item of clothing that reminds you of your travels? That faithful backpack, a sarong, a jacket, a purse?
Last weekend I replaced my walking boots. After six years and many trips they were starting to look, and feel, a bit worse for wear. While I was trying on a deliciously comfortable new pair I started to think about the trips and adventures my boots had been on. These are some of my favourites…
My boots first arrived into my life in 2008 in time for my trip to Nepal and India. I was going to be volunteering in the Chitwan district of Nepal and part of the volunteering was building so I needed some hefty boots to get started. The boots were on my feet for the plane journey; I needed to save room in my backpack. They then got muddier and muddier (or cememt-ier and cement-ier?) as we spend lots of days covered in mud, monsoon rain, dust and cement. By about day two they didn’t even resemble their true colour anymore. And they never did again.
Two years later, in 2010, they accompanied me for a five month trip in South America. I don’t think they knew how much work had to be done there. But they were in for the most adventurous year of their lives!
They climbed and trekked in Patagonia, where they were rewarded with jaw dropping views of mountains and glaciers, so they couldn’t complain too much!
In Peru, the boots climbed to Machu Picchu over three days and supported some very tired feet, right until the end.
When I lived in Chile between 2010-2011 they came too. They went on lots of trips to the mountains surrounding Santiago. Including on some very hot days where I found it way too hot!
This year they have been on two more local trips; the first was to the Gloucestershire countryside…
And, their last trip was to The Peak District of England. This is when I realised that it was time for a new pair as they didn’t keep my feet dry for very long!
Thanks boots, I can’t wait to see where the next pair take me…
Marcella xx
So, tell me! Are there any travel items that you are attached to?
This is a Travel Tuesday post. Hosted by Bonnie, Camila, Jessi and Amy.
WhatAWonderfulWorld 
Oh Yes! Trekking boots and my black backpack. Don’t know what I will do without them :-p
Sometimes you just need those essential items to make your travelling complete 🙂
Must be a bit sad to have to replace an item that’s been with you so much! Hope the replacements are working out just as well!
Fingers crossed that they will!
I think the boots can finally say, “I’m freeeeeeeeeee” hahaha
they did a great job, didn’t they? 🙂
I think you’re right 😉
Awesome, I wrote about something similar to this a few months ago. For me it is an overnight bag that I use for my hand luggage. It is beautiful and useful and I love it!! Your photos are stunning. I can see why your boots represent travel – all those miles walked!
I’ll check out your post 🙂 Beautiful and useful are the best combination and with the added bonus of travel memories, sounds great!
Awesome post! I had some awesome boots that did much of the same walking you did- Atacama, Arica, Cuzco, Puerto Montt, Chiloe… You can’t beat a good pair of boots! I didn’t walk the Inca trail, but I did climb Huyana Picchu and absolutely loved your photos- it brought all those memories straight back! Thanks for sharing
Wow, sounds like you did some great walking trips too. I really want to go to Chiloe as I’ve heard it’s really beautiful 🙂 The view from Huyana Picchu was great, wasn’t it? I just remember being so tired by that point!
So cool! I just love reading this post through the perspective of the boots haha They have indeed lived through a lot! For me it’s my black converse: they survived my exchange in Berlin and some stops in other countries, two trips to Chile and many a winters in Canada! They were full of holes, but I couldn’t bring myself I never threw them out because they reminded me so much of those memories!
Thanks! 🙂 Those black converse did well, just remember not to wear them when it rains 😉
I so liked taking a quick tour with your boots. You have visited some interesting places. I also like the idea of Travel tuesday. I’d love to join in.
Thank you! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
You should definitely join in with Travel Tuesday. I recently found out about it and it’s a great way to read lots of great travel posts. If you click on the names that I mentioned in my post then you can submit your posts every Tuesday. Hope to see you there next week!
~ Marcella
I have reblogged an old travel post to get started. I look forward to next Tuesday. Thanks for introducing me.!!
Great and you’re welcome! I’m off to check it out now 🙂
I love this idea! They’re obviously some great, loyal boots 🙂
Thanks Amy! 🙂
Wow, your boots have had some great adventures! I’d love to say that nothing is essential for my travels, but in reality I get itchy fingers if I don’t have some form of camera to attempt to document whatever amazing sights I see on my adventures with 🙂
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Know the feeling did a lot of trekking in Peru, grew very attached to my scruffy Nike trainers (people though I was made trekking in trainers but I was the only one without blisters and sore feet).
WOW! I would never think to go trekking in trainers either 😉