Stereotype averted

I spent the better part of Sunday shopping online for pregnancy shoes. In case you are curious, “pregnancy shoes” is a term I just invented to mean shoes that are a half-size to size larger than you normally wear and can be put on and taken off without bending over.

The only thing I think I really dislike about being knocked up (aside from the ‘no-booze-or-sushi’ rule, which goes without saying) is how it has turned my already large feet (size 9 - 9.5 US) into puffy round sausages. Or, as another long-time expat here so kindly put it, “just off the scale” for most Korean shoemakers. Many will special order shoes for you, but you will wait about two weeks and pay more. I’ve been told that stores in and around Itaewon and Hannam-dong, catering to expats, will carry “large-ee*” sizes. But, at 30 weeks, dragging my huge belly and swollen feet around crowded streets just isn’t going to happen unless it’s a dire emergency. (Think: In search of food or water…)

I was really glad to find out that Shoebuy.com ships internationally and has a great selection of women’s shoes. Also, I learned that if you you like something in a store that does not ship overseas, there are websites that will act as address go-betweens to facilitate international shipping—for a price, of course. But, still, when you’re desperate, you’re desperate.

For expats all over the world, Sendit.to and International Orders can really be lifesavers.

Now, I won’t be barefoot and pregnant—just pregnant. And trying to stay out of the kitchen.

*I am not making fun. I am aware that size “large” is usually denoted by the use of the words “대” or “근” in Korean. But, when I walk into a shop or when I look for clothing in a store, the salesperson always helpfully picks out the biggest one and says “large-ee” to me in English,  just to make sure I know.