Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.

Dear Manolo,

My husband and I are ditching our DC Jobs, packing up our lives, and taking a year off to travel through Southeast Asia. It will be hot, probably messy, and we’ll be on our feet all day. And I will die if I am forced to wear Keens, Chacos, or other clunky sport utility sandal out of a lack of options that don’t sacrifice form for features. Are there cute, supportive, dare-I-dream even gladiator-y sandals for the REI-phobe packing heels in her backpack?

Kat

Manolo says, frankly, the Manolo does not fully understand the allure of the backpack travel.

“But, Manolo,” say the friends of the Manolo, “it is romantic and liberating. You can go where you want, when you want.”

To which the Manolo replies, “Yes, when you backpack you are free to travel like the wind, weighed down by nothing more than the ninety pounds of dirty laundry you are carrying on your back.”

Oh, how the Manolo wishes for the return of the civilized travel, when the people of gentle breeding were able to pack up several dozen changes of clothing, top hats, kid gloves, patent leather shoes, and spats into the steamer trunk.

Later, when we reached our destination, we would “rough it” by changing into our safari clothes while the native bearers carried the trunks to our first campsite, where the gin and tonics would be awaiting our arrival.

Now, instead of travelling like civilized peoples in barbarian lands, we travel like barbarians in civilized places.

Here is the Cole Haan Air Marcella Flat Sandal in black, the gladiator sandal with the comfort in mind.