I have embarked on a quest: purchasing handmade shoes for myself! I went last week to a little man Orietta recommended. He's off the main drag, so not readily apparent to the uninitiated. He asked rather crabbily why I didn't just get factory shoes! I thought it was quite funny that he practically tried to talk me out of it...
After some discussion of my foot issues, he decided that I was for real, and then gave me a tattered piece of cardboard & asked me to stand on it. He used a pencil to create a shaky outline around each foot (making me giggle hysterically out of ticklishness!), and then measured the widest part of the foot.
I told him generally what I wanted (lace-up shoe, possibly 1940s look, some heel but not too much), and he waved his hands and told me to scoot. I would be allowed to come back this week.
Today being the appointed day, I trotted off to my new friend. He wasn't quite ready for me, but decided to deal with me then anyway. He struggled with the shoe forms that were in the models for quite some time before getting them out. And then it was time to try them on! I was so upset: they were tight! Egad! How could I break it to him?
He was already onto it. "Stretta? [Narrow?]" he asked. Yup. They surely were. He seemed completely unconcerned and apparently ignorant of my sweating bullets. He then looked up and saw my face; he must have realized what I was going through: all that work! They're beautiful! And they do NOT fit! And then he said it, my favorite Todi refrain, "Tranquilla."
I'm to go on Friday to see him. When we agreed this, his face creased into a sweet grin, and he held my hand gently but warmly.
Love,
Alexandra
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