Now that I have your attention, let’s get to know Gionny a bit better.
My name is Gianluca, but you’re very welcome to call me Gionny… In short, I’m 47 years of age and, during the past two decades I’ve been working for Greenpeace. Initially on board Greenpeace Ships, but I’ve also developed a sweet spot for the remote field, working a number of years as telecommunication technician, from the most remote gigs you can possibly imagine. I also speak few languages, but none of them fluently, including my native one by now…
In order to introduce myself, instead of listing my travel experiences, I’d rather have my collection of kicks do the talking. There will be plenty of time for anecdotes and fun stories as we progress with this blog.
Why shoes?
After all, shoes were a constant presence in my twenty years of travelling; therefore, I reckon you’ve just won a virtual tour of my footlocker.
The Endless Summer
Let’s get started from my favorite latitude, the “endless summer”, the place where my beloved flip-flops are at home.
Please meet my black, Brazilian flagged Havaianas! Bought in Manaus (the capital of the Brazilian Amazon), they have been consuming their soles in Australia, Pacific Islands, South-East Asia and Southern Europe, with rare appearances in the Netherlands.
Second, and more representative of my personality, are those do-it-all flame red Converse. Always in my bag, no matter the weather, but to be rocked only when the weather permits.
Australia, Europe, Asia, Middle East and South America have no secrets for those all time classics.
When the going gets tough.
This has been the case in a number of occasions, for which my steel-toed Blundstone boots were the natural answer, or sometimes I would simply prefer my old pair of Dr. Martens, depending on the mood and the temperature.
Those have been across all Oceans, Amazon, Borneo, Antarctica, the rugged Western Australia, North America, and Northern Europe, as far North as the Polar Circle (I actually made it to the North Pole on ski, but wouldn’t have survived with those boots).
Not bad! Unfortunately the Blundstone are long gone, as these days I’m more of a landlubber or you might say an office rat.
Gionny – Few honourable mentions
more representative of my personality, are those do-it-all flame red Converse. Always in my bag, no matter the weather, but to be rocked only when the weather permits.
Last, my RM Williams, second hand, because I could not afford the price tag of a new pair, but perfect when the focus is on “Bella Figura”.
I hope I’ve whetted your appetite for some travel stories, adventure and discovery. Follow this space for much more to come!
