[Blindtlk] international cane travel

[John Davis]

Hi,

I'm thinking of traveling abroad with some friends soon for a few
weeks. I've never left the country before, but our plan is to see
parts of Asia and Europe.

First, I use an NFB cane with the standard metal tip for travel
everywhere I go. I do use a combination of touch and slide technique
depending on the situation. I had never thought to ask this question
until a friend who went to Africa over the summer told me that, being
in a developing country, the roads and sidewalks look completely
different from the suburbs and cities of the US! With that, I'm
wondering If I'll have any trouble using a cane in some foreign
countries? From what I've heard a lot of sidewalks can have huge holes
and cracks everywhere and the like which might make using a cane hard
abroad. especially in more developing countries ... apparently it's
quite chaotic and a total mess in some places even for people who can
see! I ask because the NFB metal tip can succumb to rough spots and
cracks and the like here on occasion, so I'm suddenly wondering If
I'll have trouble abroad. I will be with a group of friends so maybe I
won't need to use my cane too much on my own, but I thought I'd ask
before I leave anyway. Apologies if these are silly or the wrong lists
to ask these questions on.

Thank you