I was reading a piece today about the Doma tribe of Zimbabwe. They are known for their deformed feet. Though, I don’t think ‘deformed’ is actually the correct word. Okay, they don’t look the same as ours but does that make them ‘deformed’? Personally, I prefer the word ‘different’ and maybe even ‘evolved’.
The tribal elders have banned marrying outside the tribe in order to preserve their evolved feet. While that has its own genetic issues, their feet, which resemble an ostrich’s, have adapted in order to make tree climbing easier. And faster. Imagine running from a lion and finding a tree only to be unable to climb it fast enough. I guess it would be fast food for the lion.
Some people reckon their feet are a throw back to when we climbed down from the trees. Maybe they’re right. If anything, they prove the stupidity of shoes.
If anything, shoes were invented in order to protect feet from man made substances. Hominids were not meant to wear anything on their feet. I guess it’s just another way to step away from nature. Pun intended.
And, in an attempt to return to the true nature of mankind, Jason went jogging round the woods this morning without his shoes; as nature intended. He said the newly laid wood chippings were very soft underfoot.
He did don a pair of shoes for our walk into Trosa though. And, given that most of the walk consisted of man made substances, this was definitely an excellent idea.
And Trosa looked beautiful today. We walked in via the church where Fi decided to entertain everyone on the piano. She was a bit worried when a church warden type fellow came in with flowers, but he seemed happy enough. At least she wasn’t playing something Satanic.
We headed for Två Små Svin (2 Small Pigs) for lunch where we taught them how to properly toast a table of people, what a Danish open sandwich consists of and the delights of aquavit.
After a delightful lunch (my steak tartare was, obviously, perfect) we headed down to the Världens ände (World’s End) where we defied the gale force winds and remained standing. Just. Actually, I was forced to carry my hat, the wind was so bad. It’s not often my head is bared outside the home environs. Fortunately, there were few people around to see.
We then slowly made our way back to the house. Slowly because I was with them. Naturally. I am, the epitome of slow travel.
They all then went to watch the sunset at the camp on Öbolandet which, they all agreed, was beautiful and long-lasting. Jason may also have tried to play a disappearing trick on everyone, but no-one came looking for him, which rather spoiled the trick.
This also made me philosophically ponder: If no-one sees you vanish, did you actually vanish at all?
By the way, Jason also trod on a snake when he and Fi were out walking in the woods. According to Fi, the snake looked up, with a confused face, shook itself off then went back to sleep. Jason claimed it winked at him.
