Guess the destination from a shoe selfie
Over the years, I’ve developed an odd little travel tradition: foot selfies. From museums to markets to cruise ships, my feet have walked across some weird and wonderful ground. Think you can guess where I’ve been based only on what’s beneath my shoes?
I’ve walked all over the world—literally. But can you tell where I’ve stepped based on just a foot selfie?
Photo Clue: Mid-century modern tile flooring in a sleek museum corridor. Sadly no hidden Mickeys in sight
Where are my feet?
- A. Los Angeles, USA
- B. San Francisco, USA
- C. Anaheim, USA
- D. Orlando, USA
Photo Clue:Floor tile showing the day of the week in a lift (elevator).
Where are my feet?
- A. A hotel in Las Vegas
- B. A Disney Cruise
- C. The Ocean on a Royal Caribbean ship
- D. Singapore Cruise Terminal
Photo Clue: Dots, dots, and more dots—an immersive, whimsical art space.
Where are my feet?
- A. TeamLab, Tokyo
- B. Yayoi Kusama exhibition
- C. The Broad Museum, LA
- D. NGV Triennial, Melbourne
Photo Clue: Star plaques on a brick pathway honoring Dutch film legends.
Where are my feet?
- A. Amsterdam
- B. Rotterdam
- C. Utrecht
- D. The Hague
Photo Clue: Airport carpet—both the old classic and its new replacement.
Where are my feet?
- A. Seattle Airport
- B. San Diego Airport
- C. Portland Airport (PDX)
- D. Denver Airport
Photo Clue: Historic and somber surroundings near a heavily guarded border.
Where are my feet?
- A. Vietnam
- B. Germany
- C. North Korea
- D. South Korea
Photo Clue: Dramatic coast and volcanic black sand underfoot.
Where are my feet?
- A. Kaikoura
- B. Piha Beach
- C. Byron Bay
- D. Maui
Photo Clue: This tile entry in a brewey commemorates a cheeky quote from an Aussie Prime Minister.
Where are my feet?
- A. Fremantle
- B. Canberra
- C. Redfern
- D. Marrickville
Photo Clue: A small alley with golden cobblestones in an otherwise grey street.
Where are my feet?
- A. Prague
- B. Munich
- C. Vienna
- D. Berlin
Photo Clue: Brass strips set into stone steps outside a museum.
Where are my feet?
- A. Edinburgh
- B. Bath
- C. London
- D. Oxford
Photo Clue: Bits of bronze fruit and broken baskets embedded in the sidewalk. Was temporarily removed during the 'Big 'Dig'.
Where are my feet?
- A. Boston
- B. Philadelphia
- C. Chicago
- D. New York
Final thoughts
As you can probably tell, my feet have done some serious traveling—and in quite a few pairs of shoes.
For years, I was loyal to my Converse Chuck Taylors. They’re iconic, but as I got older, my arches started filing complaints. And trust me, those thin soles are no match for Boston sidewalks in January (brr). These days, I’m firmly Team Adidas Superstar. Once broken in, they’re like travel slippers you can wear all day. I used to pack a pair of Nike runners as a backup, but on my last trip to Korea I wore them exactly once—they just couldn’t handle the cobblestones. Lesson learned: unless I’m headed somewhere scorching and smooth-paved, they’re staying home.
You’ll also spot my trusty duck boots in a few photos—classic waterproof champs. I swear by having at least one pair of waterproof shoes when I travel. Give me those and a decent raincoat, and I’m happy to splash through just about anything. That said, I’m now trading them for hiking boots—same waterproof powers, but better ankle support.
In the end, these foot selfies are a nerdy little tradition that let me look back at the places I’ve been—from black sand beaches to brass measurement markers. They’re my personal way to remember where I stood—and all the places I still want to go.
