Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Photos and Essay by
Rodney L. Dodig

As a person makes more friends once they are living in Peru it is only natural that eventually you become an extended member of that friend’s family. This is the manner in which I met Tio Panchito or Uncle Panchito as we would say in English. We were out for a late dinner one evening and in casual conversation with the family, I am still struggling with my Spanish; I discovered that he was a retired shoe maker. Jokingly I asked if he knew anyone that would be willing to make a pair of sports shoes for me. Tio Panchito lit up and stated that he would be quite willing to make the shoes for me himself. They told me that he was trained in Italy or by an Italian shoe maker; this is where my Spanish lets me down.

He is a small man with a big smile and ready laugh. He loves to sing and dance and is very agile for his 75 years of age. His hands show the years of hard work from hand making shoes. Obviously at that point I was committed to the process even if I was only joking originally. In the USA I am a size 14 or 15 depending on the make of shoe which makes me a 48.5 in Peru and I have been unable to find shoes anywhere near my size here. He quoted me a price of S/. 250 for a pair of sports shoes and they would be made of all leather. I know what I pay for a pair of off-the-shelf sports shoes (not made of leather) in the USA and this sounded like a very good deal to me. They also informed me that he makes sandals and formal shoes if I wanted them, as well as shoes for women. And, he only works with the finest leather.

Later that evening as they dropped me off at my apartment, Tio Panchito came in and took some measurements and drew an outline of my feet. "What color would you like?" Black was my answer. They will be ready in about 10 days he told me and off he went to start the process. After that I was given regular updates by my friend on his Tio’s progress with my shoes. Sure enough, nine days later I was informed that the shoes were ready and as we were once again going out to dinner, Tio Panchito would give me the shoes when we picked him up. To be honest I wasn’t expecting much since I had braced myself to not be disappointed if I didn’t like them.

Imagine my delight when I saw them and they were perfect. The stitching was immaculate and the design of the shoe taken from a pair of Pumas that I had admired. When we were talking about making the shoes I had asked Tio Panchito to sew his name on the side of the shoes as a trademark. I mean really, is that not the perfect name for a brand of shoes? He followed my instructions and now I have a pair of original Tio Panchito’s, for the moment the only ones in the world. I tried them on and the fit was perfect and they have molded themselves to my feet nicely in the ensuing days.


I understand that there are stores and craftsmen here in Lima that will make handmade shoes specifically to fit your feet. From my first experience with this, I highly recommend that anyone coming to or already in Peru take advantage of this experience. It’s definitely worth the money. Mine are made by a member of my now extended family and he has already made me a second pair, brown this time. That is priceless for me. In the meantime, Tio Panchito has decided that he would like to come out of retirement and make more shoes. When my friends come from the US to visit I will certainly recommend that they enjoy this experience.

Here are pictures of shoes that Tio made for my friends while they were visiting from the US this past two weeks. He measured them before they left for Cusco and Puerto Maldinado and had them ready when they returned 7 days later. I can't believe it only took him one week to make both pairs and he did it from photos they supplied him with. I am amazed at the man's skills. My friends were so happy with the shoes that they ordered two more pairs.

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Due to the tremendous response to this article, LivinginPeru.com has decided to include contact information for Tio Panchito. Tio does not speak English nor does he have a cell phone but he can be contacted through his nephew.
 
Pedro Bustamante
Home: 445-3674
Or you may email him by clicking here.
 
Pedro will help you meet with Tio Panchito. If you have a photo or picture of the shoes you want made, he can make them look exactly like the model you suggest. Tio Panchito requests that he be paid in advance for any work done.

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Dear Rodney,
is Tio Panchito willing to hand-make shoes for others outside yor extended family? If so, I would really apreciate to get his contact number/adress/mail.

Thanks a lot!
Rocio

I just want to say the shoes a very beautiful and Tio Panchito is a man with a big heart,you can see it in his face. Next time I'm in Peru I would love to get a pair of shoes made for me..........beautiful work and thanks for the tip.....................take care and all the best............Suzanne

Very nice story. Can you send me the address of Tio Panchito because I live here and I have the same problem with the 13's (47's in peruvian size). Thank you very much.

This is very interesting!
And.....where can Tio Panchito be contacted?
Thanks!

Please let me know how I can get in touch with Tio Panchito. My poor feet are in need of his skills. Thank you.

Hello,

Yes I am a women's size 10 1/2 or an 11 M or 43 or 44 depending on the brand or model of the shoe, and my Peruvian husband is a 9 1/2 Wide and we can not find dress or New Balance white tennis shoes for neither of us down here in Lima.  I would also like to be able to buy shoes that look like or are Birkenstock Sandals from Germany here with the same foot bed for their cushioned models.  Can you help us and provide Uncle Tio's and other shoemakers names, addresses and phone numbers here in Lima?  Thank you.

Jan Tucker-Craff

Great Story!!! I remember as a teenager my dad took me to his tailor. You'd show him a photo of what you wanted, he'd taken your measurements and 2 weeks later you have a coat or suit. It's the same with carpenters or masons, just look at the balconioes and churches!!

peruvian craftsman are amazing, that's why peru's funny money is the best in the world (according to the CIA, not the most reliable source).

Thanks for sharing such a great story.
JCW

I wear a 12 (women's), where can I find Tio Panchito????

This is a great story, Rodney. I haven't tried to get shoes made here yet, but this gives me confidence it's worth a try. I particularly like the giraffe on the heels of one of the shoes. What's the significance of it?

Would appreciate contact info for Tio Panchito

Tom
tom.scardaville@gmail.com

Great news...I would love to have the contact of Tio Panchito for hand made shoes, so on my next visit to Lima I could have done. A pair of heels would be divine!

Wow!!! nice shoes, how can I contact Tio Panchito? I would love to have a pair with his name brand here in the USA!!!!

Yes, where can I find Tio Panchito or any other trustworthy and capable Peruvian craftsman that makes shoes like him???

My husband wear size 46 / 47, my 12 years old son already 43 and I 41. Impossible to find shoes that fit.

Please I need help

I also like the story about 'tio Panchito'.
I am glad that you help him to realize one more time about his talents and find courage to go back to work. Due to all the mail I see, looks like tio Panchito is going to be busy.
Please I would like to have the contact of Tio Panchito for hand made shoes.

Dean and Ana Maria B.

Hi - I just love your story as my husband and I experience a similar thing ourselves. We're kicking ourselves for not keeping the details of "our show guy" and perhaps we can try your Tio. The people there are beautiful - they have so little but give big. A lesson for us from developing worlds.