Charming story!  Too bad he decides in the end to get a big ol' honkin pair of hiking boots. lol 

At one point he writes that he doesn't "have the guts" to go barefoot. I really can sympathize with that.  Even though I have come to the conclusion that it is the healthiest mode for human feet, I know that it is culturally loaded with negativity. 

For warmer climes, one can don these: http://www.natashascafe.com/html/barefoot.html  ...and perhaps "get away with it." 

That website also sells the simple Chinese shoes, which I have considered lately.