Chucks Talk - Born To Talk

I had the incredible good fortune of going on my sixth international trip with my wonderful friend Shelley and the Executive MBA class of 2017 students from Loyola Marymount University. This year it was Africa! The countries we visited were South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

My eyes and ears were open to all the sights and sounds from the smallest insects to the largest animals.

My phone and cameras were always by my side. Travel requires preparation and part of that includes what to wear and how much to pack. I’m not exactly a fashion diva, however, my “Chucks” are a constant in my wardrobe.

How did Chucks get their name? The shoe was composed of a rubber sole and canvas upper and was designed to be a high performance athletic shoe for basketball players. In 1921, American basketball player Charles “Chuck” Taylor joined a basketball team sponsored by the Converse Company called The Converse All Stars. And now you know why we call our shoes, Chucks!

This is my collection, don’t say it! Need to add some green ones!!!

I only brought my red and grey pairs on the trip, but I also brought a pair of heels for the “dress up” days. My mistake was walking in those heels on a day I went shopping at the Greenmarket Square in Cape Town. It didn’t take long before my feet were unhappy, that’s when I found a man selling Chucks! My feet were rescued!

Prince Okoli, became one of my first new friends!We went to Gold Restaurant in Cape Town for our first taste of Africa.

Shelley and I, like many of the guests, had our faces painted!Not only did we enjoy delicious food but we were treated to dancers and drummers.

Let the Chucks begin.

Walking in the street.Servers at Cilantros in Nelson Mandela Square.Chucks were the preferred footwear in many of the places we ate!We visited the wonderful people from the Original Tea Bag Design http://www.tbagdesigns.co.za/ This will definitely be another blog devoted to Jill Heyes and the incredible business she founded in Haut Bay, South Africa in 2000. While we were there Rachel gave us a tour and look at her shoes!Adults weren’t the only ones wearing Chucks. From South Africa to Botswana.In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe we went to another special dinner and musical evening. Of course, the shoe of choice, in a rather unclear photo.At the end of an incredible trip and 30 hours of flying to get home, I was waiting for my ride and what do I see? Welcome home!