Tuesday
Apr132010
Trashy Shoes
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 7:55PM 
When we came down from the 94th floor of the Hancock Tower we thought we'd walk along Michigan Avenue to take in the sites. Just along the sidewalk from the exit is this trash can full of old shoes. Now some of them look to be in pretty good condition, but search as I may I have not been able to find any information on how they got there and why? I have two thoughts on why and how they are there. One, that it is kind of shoe tree that appears all over California and I'm sure the country, where people just for fun hang their old shoes. Or two, that people leave their old shoes that aren't in such bad condition, so that homeless people can take them. Anyone got any other ideas, let me know.
in Chicago, Cityscapes, Thoughts
Chicago, Cityscapes, Thoughts 
Reader Comments (4)
I am so glad I was there for this moment...awesome picture
It is a cool photo. Think of all the walking and events related to those shoes. I think that if you knew how long they had been there then we would be able to guess more accurately ... the Great Shoe Mystery. Cynically speaking: these were all HIS shoes and SHE decided that she had had enought of HIM and threw THEM in the garbage. OR: these are not talking trash, but rather walking trash. I'm just saying (typing). ;-)
Hey! I'm writing a post comparing negative thoughts to the old, comfy, shoes we hang onto. Would it be okay to use your image? It would be perfect for my analogy.
Also, in response to your question, there is a new trend of turning old shoes into planters. It's gaining popularity. I don't know why people wouldn't donate the okay shoes to Goodwill. Strange. Also, if it was in NYC it could have been someone trying to make a statement. :-)
Katy you are more than welcome to use it so long as you're not selling it. :-)
Thanks for taking a look,
Martin.