Sorry this may be a bit self -indulgent, nevertheless here it goes. I nearly flattened myself while crossing the street to the London Eye, and managed to twist the heck out of my ankle while simultaneously flinging my purse at some poor unsuspecting pedestrian. Which landed several feet into oncoming traffic, the purse not the pedestrian. I managed a pathetic, "Well at least I didn't fall", to which I was greeted with looks of pity, digust and bewilderment. That said, I spent the rest of my trip wearing very appropriate shoes and icing my swollen knee whenever possible. The Lesson being leave the high shoes to the people who can trek cobblestones and potholes with panache. Too bad I fell, because I looked good! PS I blame my husband and the soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, both of which delayed my arrival to the London Eye. To add insult to injury, my husband and son went on the Eye before my daughter and I could limp to it. That said the views were spectacular and my knee is healing. My husband however is still in the doghouse.
Epic display of "swan like grace" as I nearly fall in the streets of London as passerbys gasp in horror and delight. OR Why not to wear 3 inch wedge shoes while hustling to the London Eye.
Recent Activity
View all Europe activity »
- 1 Paris - for the repeat visitor...
- 2 Train to Belfast deals?
- 3 1st Ireland/Scotland/UK travel w/ questions
- 4
Much anticipated trip to London. Well worth the wait!
- 5 Some advice for my first trip to Europe?
- 6 7.5 hr layover at Heathrow - Windsor help
- 7
Provence & Cote D'Azur 2011 - The What Would Stu Do Tour
- 8 Is Lugano worth the visit?
- 9 When one thing goes wrong at the start of your trip, is that it?
- 10 Belgium-Germany-Prague-Austria-Switzerland
- 11 Different Regions in France
- 12 Another Ireland Itinerary...advice?
- 13 Pls help Stu Dudley and other France experts with my itinerary for 13 days
- 14 Beaune or Tuscany?
- 15 What Swiss towns - 4 days between Alps & Zurich
- 16 Ghent train ticket from Brussels
- 17 European City on a Budget of 1200USD in 4 Days
- 18 Correct greetings in Paris
- 19 Package tours to Spain
- 20 disposable underwear?
- 21 14 Day London, Scotland Rough Itinerary.
- 22 Belfast, or not?
- 23 Where to sleep in Normandy - nights
- 24 San Sebastian: Pintxos-serving times?
- 25 Ireland 'must do's'?

Ouch! I decided to take my very high-heeled boots to Rome with me and wore them out to dinner one night. I managed to get the heel wedged between every cobblestone I encountered. I watched, all around me, all the other women walk just fine. I ended up walking on my tip-toes to prevent ruining my heels. I didn't fall, but I probably will just take the shoes that are still sylish but more sensible.
My travel footwear is usually somewhat sensible, but at home I've had my share of embarrassing falls.
Years ago, just back from my first trip to Paris, I was commuting to work (in SF at the time) wearing very high platform slides. With my mind still left in Paris, I was rushing into a BART station thinking "if I don't look too closely at where I'm going, this place almost resembles a Metro station..." when my foot slipped out from under me, and I was falling down the steep escalator on my butt!
Poor Tinabina - you've had some adventures on this trip, haven't you?
I hope you'll post a trip report when you get home. I look forward to reading it!
Lee Ann
I will post a reply once the valium and such wear off...loved the trip. Hate my mother..is it the drugs?
So. Is this a case of......... 'better to limp good than feel good'?
Vanity? Why not wear flats on the street and carry heels for the restaurant? I watch business women take off flats and put on heels at their office entrances.
The flats idea would work EXCEPT I had Slacks on that were hemmed for my tall shoes..mmmm maybe a skirt next time.
Aw, don't feel badly. I can trip on a hairline crack in a paved sidewalk wearing flat shoes. Put me in high heels on cobblestones & I'd be crawling.
Don't feel bad. I don't wear hills & coming out of the British Museum, I tripped over a rise in the sidewalk & fell. Somehow my keys went flying & slammed into the chest of a person coming from the opposite direction.
Better than breaking your ankle in Bavaria--and I was wearing comfortable shoes when I did it.
I just tripped and fell and ruined my trip. It is easy to be distracted on vacation.
Be careful all of you and avoid emergency rooms in Europe!
Hey, Tinabina, this thread is featured in "7 Tales of Travels Gone Awry" on Fodor's Travel Wire!
Lee Ann
Comfortable shoes are for sissies.