Scavi-Catacombs Claustrophobia
May 23rd, 2004, 04:25 AM
#1
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Scavi-Catacombs Claustrophobia
Has anyone who is claustraphobic been in the St. Peters Scavi tour or the catacombs outside of Rome?
I need to hear if you were able to do that before I know how many tickets to purchase. Thanks
I need to hear if you were able to do that before I know how many tickets to purchase. Thanks
May 23rd, 2004, 07:48 AM
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Well I don't have claustrophobia and found myself a little uncomfortable in a couple of places during the catacombs tour. I don;t know if was the "creepiness" of all those skulls - or the age of the place or what but I rushed through the end of the walk to get out as soon as I could.
Not the St Peters Scavi though - that was fine.
Not the St Peters Scavi though - that was fine.
May 23rd, 2004, 10:41 AM
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I don't have claustrophobia but on my last Scavi tour one of the people in our group was a young woman with claustrophobia. She hyperventilated so much she nearly passed out and held us up for quite a while and the guide almost had to cut short the tour and bring the whole group back up. I didn't really see why she would suffer like this because there seemed to be plenty of room, light and ventilation in the excavations.
May 23rd, 2004, 12:59 PM
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This is the case with myself as well. If it is cool and enclosed it is not as bad as hot. The heat bothers me and it has nothing to do with that time of life because I am not there.
I want to do the Scavi tour but I want everyone to lie to me and tell me I will be fine!
I want to do the Scavi tour but I want everyone to lie to me and tell me I will be fine!
May 23rd, 2004, 01:25 PM
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Last October when I went to Rome I wanted to do the Scavi tour but chickened out because of the claustrophobia. I've been sorry ever since and am wondering when I'll be back to Rome.
A few weeks ago in Malta someone in our group didn't go to the Hypogeum (a not to be missed experience) because our program director mentioned that it may be claustrophobic. It wasn't at all and this poor woman missed a great opportunity.
Go with the philosophy that you only regret the things you don't do (as I'm regretting not trying the Scavi tour). Take candies to suck on and a couple of bottles of water. I think if you go prepared for an attack you will probably avert it. It's when claustrophobia suddenly overtakes you that it's overwhelming.
And, report back on the claustrophobia situation please. I'm determined to do the tour next Rome trip!!
A few weeks ago in Malta someone in our group didn't go to the Hypogeum (a not to be missed experience) because our program director mentioned that it may be claustrophobic. It wasn't at all and this poor woman missed a great opportunity.
Go with the philosophy that you only regret the things you don't do (as I'm regretting not trying the Scavi tour). Take candies to suck on and a couple of bottles of water. I think if you go prepared for an attack you will probably avert it. It's when claustrophobia suddenly overtakes you that it's overwhelming.
And, report back on the claustrophobia situation please. I'm determined to do the tour next Rome trip!!
May 23rd, 2004, 04:44 PM
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I have claustraphobia and did the catacombs outside Rome (doing the Scavi this trip). I felt a little close a couple of times, but it didn't get bad. For me, it depends as much on how much of a crowd is around me and the group stayed spread out enough that I was OK. It may have helped that I was so totally awed and our tour guide was so incredible, I felt extremely worshipful by the end of the tour.
Jun 7th, 2004, 05:07 PM
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Me too! I'm trying it on Sept. 28th - even tho I'm scared as hell! I had a panic attack in the "gold mine" exhibit at the Chicago Science Museum - it was awful.......BUT - I did hike down to the bottom of Carlsbad Caverns - - -so we'll see how I do!
Jul 16th, 2004, 04:15 PM
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I am mildly claustrophobic. I was not at all bothered by the tightness of the spaces. There is one point where most people need to duck, but then you are quickly into a larger room. I was a little bothered by the mustiness or the mixture of the humidity and the smell of the place, but I quickly acclimated to that also. It is an experience not to be missed!
