I’ve walked these streets before. They’re tough. Cobblestoned streets are gorgeous in photos. Truly, they’re not friendly. They don’t yield. Our feet get the brunt of what’s underneath them. Shoes matter.

Several years ago, I learned this lesson. The first time I spent a month here, I brought what I considered cute ballerina flats. You know, teacher shoes. After my first day of walking, deep cuts in my feet screamed, “Enough!” Lesson learned. I wore sneakers for the rest of my vacation.

This time, I packed four pairs of shoes. Half of them are sneakers. These two specially-selected pairs have been my go-to’s for other trips. They’re padded. They have wiggle room. They’ve worked. Not now.

This time, something’s changed.

Before, I walked to admire. Before, I walked to snap photos. Before, I was in total awe of this world UNESCO site. Before, I walked to absorb its beauty.

Now, I’m walking for other reasons. I’m walking as a part of a daily routine to keep myself healthy and grounded. My pace is quicker. I want to get my miles walked before the tourists arrive.

The sneakers I packed weren’t cooperating. My feet were not happy.

One day, as I walked my route, I passed a series of restaurants with their tables on the sidewalks. Instead of staring ahead or looking at their food, I opted to look at the buildings. A German tourist was speaking quite enthusiastically to his family. He was pointing to something in the window. Although I don’t comprehend German, I surely understand enthusiasm. He was talking about a pair of running shoes.

The building housed a running shoe store. It’s called The Endurance Shop.

When I returned to D’s apartment, I pulled out a pad of paper and jotted down some important information. Then I used Google translate to help me out. I figured that the store clerks needed my regular shoe size measurements in both European and US measurements (check your shoe tags, usually both are listed). I also found out that there are different words for size in French. Shoe size has a specific name. Then I searched their website. It was such a relief to see that they had familiar brands in stock. With D coaching me, I practiced saying that I wanted to walk a lot and run a little.

I nervously walked back to the store I bravely went through the doors, equipped with my piece of paper filled with notes and translations. It turns out, runners are runners. It did not matter that I spoke French badly. The concepts were the same. Thankfully, we understood each other.

He led me to one of those scales that show my size and weight distribution on my feet. He asked me if I were going to be walking in town or on the trails. He brought some boxes of shoes.

The third pair was the charm.

He explained that they were from the new line of Saucony (it’s so much prettier to hear it said in French!), and they would not have sale prices. I replied, “The shoes and I, we are both new. It’s OK.” And we both smiled.

By the way, the shoes are royal blue. Creech blue. So you know, they’re perfect for me.