Now that the December holidays are over, I’m determined to start off the new year on the right foot. 

I found  a reference to the Spanish saying empezar con el pie derecho that says the expression derives from the ancient pagan custom of stepping up for ritual ceremonies with the right foot first.  The posture was assumed to be a good way to curry the favor of fickle gods.

Another source gives the meaning of “putting your best foot forward” as to embark on a journey or task with purpose and gusto.

Whether or not either applies, my resolution for 2017 is to make it habit to get out and walk a lot more than I’m accustomed to.  I foresee multiple benefits.

First and foremost, there’s the health factor, walking being rated as one of the best forms of physical exercise. The old body could certainly use some tuning up at this point. 

And I expect it will also be good from a psychological standpoint. Trotting around on foot translates into less time and aggravation behind the wheel of the car, snarling about stupid drivers and being tied up in ever more frequent local traffic jams.

With gasoline prices set to soar as of January 1, walking will make things easier on the pocketbook as well. 

Thanks to Lakeside’s glorious year-round climate, foul weather shouldn’t be much of an impediment to my pedestrian pursuit. But I do worry a bit about obvious and hidden hazards out there in the rustic landscape. 

Irregular sidewalks and cobblestone streets present constant perils, even for the steadiest hoofer. My problem is an uncanny knack for stumbling over all the bumps and stumps, pits, loose rocks and other defects that crop up along my path.   

The best defense of course is to stay alert. That means not getting distracted by interesting scenery, pungent aromas, human conversation, cell phone buzzes and other stuff that arouses the senses. 

Another safeguard is a pair of sensible shoes. 

Sitting on the plaza one day I made a survey of footwear worn by passersby. I spotted lots of kids in typical school shoes, adults sporting different types of boots and smartly dressed young women tottering by in ten-inch spikes. A few padded about in flip-flops and those hideous rubber Crocks. Many foreigners seem to favor form-fitting sandals with sturdy soles and nylon straps, the hip and trendy version of the earth shoes of my youth. 

Without question, sneakers are by far today’s shoes of choice, counting 20-to-1 against every other type of foot gear by my rough calculation. Take your pick of styles, colors, materials and price tags, they offer comfort to stay on the go. 

The one disappointment was observing how few people these days wear huaraches, the classic handmade sandals made of woven leather with recycled tire tread soles. When treated right, they fit like a glove and have a phenomenal life span. They’re the ultimate high-endurance walking shoes, perfect for navigating Mexican terrain.