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While in San Miguel, a lady from Bayfield, Ontario, kept telling me to look at THEIR feet. I didn’t because I thought she had a shoe fetish and didn’t want to start that conversation. Besides as a man,  the purpose of a shoe is to gets you from A to B. Little did I know until the comment on the Blog from Emily about the San Miguel Cocktail Combat Sandal.

A quick search of the internet led me to a source that confirms their existence and actually sells them. I then had to go back through my pictures and lo and behold there they were.

Further research revealed that The San Miguel Shoe was the creation of Santiago Gallardo Muniz, who created the shoes so that rich art patrons in San MIguel would not fall on the cobblestone streets and be unable to buy their daily art dose while they recovered. His wife Martha was behind his discovery.

These shoes identify you as someone from San Miguel and there even seems to be a cult founded by this woman who made this comment

When I wear mine it is not uncommon for women to stop me and ask me where I got them

When I found this quote then I knew why they wear them. I had forgotten about women and shoes. Shoes are the portal to the soul. They are recruitment tools. Look at my feet and you are mine. Women will do anything to wear comfortable shoes that look good - even join a gang.

Another clue was the word Combat - a gang term if I ever heard one.

In fact there are newer shoes that make fighting even easier.

The first gangs in San Miguel developed this early, always classic look. It is a variation on pearls and the little black cocktail dress. The only colors are black and white and/or beige. You will see no household items on their back, front, hips or shoulders because they have never taken an art courses. They have no need to be CREATIVE because they are the Patrons of the Arts. They define what is ART in San Miguel. They never carry bags as they buy their ART at the openings and have it delivered to their CENTRO houses or HOUSE WITH VIEWS. Key words they use are Fabulous, Smart, Darling, Let’s do ……, New.

This Novice has been able to pass through the Eye of the Needle Test and this is her first day in the Jardin under the watchful eye of a Senior Gang Member. It is obvious from the picture what she needs to learn. It is almost a before and after picture.

The Classic Gang is the meanest gang in the Jardin and has the most rules. Here is the detailed dress code for this gang.

1. Smart beige, black or white hat with only a white or black band.
2. Combat Cocktail Sandals
3. Striped top, or solid white and/or black top
4. Capri pants (never touching the sandals)
5. Smart jewelry
6. Simple bag

Break the rules and expect retribution. The woman below came to the Jardin in Bicycling Pants, in a blouse that was too big, wearing runners and with no band on her hat. She was  banished from the Jardin tout de suite. She knows now that she will only be welcomed in the Campo.

This person is not in the Classic Gang. She has broken three rules of the Classic Gang can you spot them?

Here is another mistake? Can you spot it?

Pop quiz - is this a Classic Gang member? Yes or no and defend your answer?

This is a bit harder. Is she or isn’t she part of the Classic Gang?

Another tough test?

Every sidewalk in San Miguel has these “Eye of the Needle” initiation poles. Perhaps you have walked through one or looked at one and decided it might be too narrow so you stepped around it. But you were being watched and your decision recorded.

The Classic Gang will let no one join if they did not walk through the Eye of the Needle. Anyone who sidesteps the Eye of the Needle has made that split second decision that they are TOO BIG to pass through. No further discussion is needed about TOO BIG. You are relegated to the lower level rung Rug and Tablecloth gangs where you will be able to find something to fit.