Vita

I think I might have strained something in my foot and I'm leaving for Italy (Rome, Florence, Tuscany) in a couple of weeks. This will not, I repeat, not ruin my vacation. I'm thinking about getting a cane for walking if necessary and, in an effort to make lemonade out of lemons, was wondering if there was anything I could by in Rome for walking that could double as a nice souvenir. I'm seeing a doctor on Monday. Wish me luck.

Judi

Poor baby! I can't answer your question but I like your attitude. Have a great time in Italy!

Grasshopper

First of all Vita, Good luck! Secondly, I did a couple of trips with a BAD knee. Just take it very slowly, pace yourself, take cabs whenever you want and don't feel badly about it, and sit every chance you get. If you spend a lot of time watching Italy walk past you while you sip chianti at a sidewalk cafe, more power to you!

Ed

Probably if you're visiting Sicily first you could get a nice shotgun to serve double duty as a crutch. Or if you're starting out in Rome perhaps you could get a bishop's crozier at one of the religious clothing stores. <BR> <BR>After offending many, and more seriously, I can't think of an Italian "souvenir" that would also serve as a walking stick. <BR> <BR>Be sure you have sturdy shoes. Even without a strained foot, many folks get their feet quite sore on Rome's cobblestones. Thin soles and little support can make for a bit of misery. "Marble Foot" is the common name for the ailment. <BR> <BR>twenj

Dayle

Vita, good luck! Maybe ask your doctor if an orthodic insert might help in your shoe.

vita

Plan your days out with the walking as your primary concern during your visits to the major sites. <BR>Do not try and over do things and take your time. if you've booked a tour, make sure they know in advance of this condition as you may want to go it alone so that the group proceeds on its pace. <BR>You will do great...take alot of cabs and carry numbers for them in your purse. <BR>Maybe there's an old chariot lying around somewhere...you could ride in one. <BR>LOL <BR>Hope you feel alot better. <BR>Take the best, most comfortable shoes regardless of what they look like. <BR>Buon Viaggio!

Larisa

Vita, first and foremost get this elastic something spesifically for the part of foot you strained. Never-ever step out without it, take it off only at night. My friend traveled last year with the similar problem, her doctor was very strict about the elastic band and flat wide comfortable shoes. Her leg was pretty swollen by the end of the day, but she made it. While sleeping keep your foot on a pillow.

StCirq

Vita: <BR> <BR>Here's a quirky answer, but it might work. It seems to me that all over Italy are shops selling really beautiful, high-quality umbrellas. Not those Totes things, but lovely, sturdy, polished wooden-handled ones with brass-tipped bottoms and beautiful patterns on the fabric. Maybe you could find one that's the right height for leaning on to take some weight off your bad foot. It would also make a lovely souvenir, AND keep the rain off if you found yourself in a storm.

Gerry

Vita: <BR>On the positive side, I've heard that gypsys leave people with canes alone. <BR>I went to Rome after foot surgery and just ignored the pain. As Ed said everybody's feet hurt anyway. Walk slow and sit a lot.

Gerry

I should add that my doctor said it was OK to do this. A medical opinion might not hurt. <BR>The umbrella idea is a good one.

TBH

Vita, <BR> <BR>I went to Paris two days after running a 6 inch nail, the kind you use to nail together landscape timbers, through my foot. Missed all the bones, but very painful. <BR> <BR>Tips: <BR> <BR>1. Keep foot elevated on flight, good luck on that one. <BR> <BR>2. Suck it up and go for it. <BR> <BR>3. Drink a lot of wine or local beer. <BR> <BR>Enjoy yourself, you'll probably forget about the pain when you get there and get involved in having a good time. <BR> <BR>TBH

Louise

Hi Vita, I've traveled with bad knees so can empathize. A couple of suggestions - first glad you're checking with your MD to be sure you haven't done something more than strain (just in case). <BR> <BR>Elevate your foot as often as you can. In a cafe, pull over an extra chair to rest your foot on while you have your cappucino. <BR> <BR>Wear flat, comfortable shoes - this is one time for style to be second place, even if you are in Italy. <BR> <BR>I have a telescoping walking stick that was made in Switzerland. It telescopes so you can fit it in your lugage. Check ski shops and see what you can find. <BR> <BR>Finally, see if you should take an anti-inflammatory and/or aspirin for swelling. <BR> <BR>To alleviate the need to walk, you can arrange with your airline to have wheel chair service at the airports. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful time! Any pain will be greatly reduced by the pleasure of being in Italy.

TexasJaz

Watch your schedule and try to plan to avoid lines. For example, you could stand in line for hours in the morning to get in the Vatican Mus. Or, since they close for lunch, wait and get in line just before they open in the afternoon. The line then is next to nothing. <BR> <BR> Or, San Marco's has a side entrance for the prayer room where there is no line at all. Sit in peace awhile and thank God for your good fortune, and then go on in to the rest of the church. Ask the locals for suggestions because of your ailment. The Italian people are very big hearted. Just be very polite and generous with your praise and thanks when you are helped because they can be easily offended. I smiled and said "hello" to an elderly lady one day. BIG MISTAKE--they consider it rude to speak to someone you do not know.

Julie

Why don't you buy one of those walking sticks (we call them shooting sticks in England) that opens to a seat, then you can stop and sit whenever you feel the need, I found that anywhere you go with lots of people around the few seats that are around are all being sat on!! Rome is a very busy place so it might be worthwhile.

Janine

The above sounds like a good suggestion. Particularly when you consider you often have to pay for the privilege of a seat. I really think you would be well advised to have something with you when you arrive, as it could be hard-going walking around until you find something there.

Beth

WalMart sells a cane which folds up and is easily packed and will fit into a handbag or backpak. They cost $10-15. The bottom is wider than an umbrella and would provide more stable footing. <BR> <BR>When my husband broke his ankle 6 weeks before a cruise -- it was invaluable. <BR> <BR>Good luck and have wonderful trip!

NoGypsies

The umbrella tip is great and it will be useful to beat the Gypsies up along the side or to poke the little Gypsy kids in the stomach with to keep them away. I find a good whack to the Gypsy's face will make sure he/she leaves you alone. If the whack fails then you can always use the pointed tip of the bumber-shoot to spear the pesky suckers.

ohoh

No, you need to go rent "Snatch" over the weekend. You may be a bit more careful aroung Gypsies.