[Travelandtourism] international cane travel
cheryl echevarria
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
Sat Oct 8 14:22:48 UTC 2011
Tammy I am asking, if we can use your story for the travel and tourism website, we will be looking for other members travel stories as well.
So let us know.
Thanks for posting it.
Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>
Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com<http://www.superiortravel.com/>
Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise & Travel, Inc.
----- Original Message -----
From: Tammy Cantrell<mailto:t.l.cantrell at comcast.net>
To: cheryl echevarria<mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 08, 2011 10:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] international cane travel
You're right about the roads. It is so amazing how much of the city they have excavated. The roads are small gravel and dirt. Navigating that part isn't difficult. There was one area they considered better road. Smile! The road was covered with very large flat stones that were laid together like a big puzzle. There naturally was small gaps between the stones where they didn't quite fit together. You definitely had to pay attention to what you were doing. It would have been very easy to turn an ankle. Keep in mind that this area was designed for chariots. Their version of sidewalks was the raised area on the sides of the road. This raised part was about knee high and very narrow. I decided to walk on the road since that path wasn't 2 feet wide.
I was traveling with a group and had a tour guide, so knowing which way to go wasn't difficult.
The guide told us to stay together. If we needed to, we should move Italian style. heh heh heh! This means bull through and use your elbows as a motivator. When Italians stop on the sidewalk or street, they do not practice the same courtesies we do. That is their spot and they will not move unless they are motivated by moving vehicles or determined elbows. heh heh heh!
I had to use sighted guide during a large part of my trip. The tour guide walked so fast and did not understand that a few members in our group were having problems keeping up. We were doing a walking tour in the city of Roam on one of their religious holidays. I felt like a Sardine. There were thousands of people milling around. There was so many people smushed together, it was impossible to use my cane while trying to run and keep up with that short tour guide. That was the most frustrating part of the trip.
We toured the Roman Coliseum and the area around it. Traveling in and around there was interesting. There was dirt paths, a section of very large flat stones and then we had the opportunity to go all through the Coliseum. The steps were steep and angled. Going up wasn't so bad. Coming back down was interesting. grin!
We had the opportunity to enter the Vatican. The size of that place is totally mind blowing.
We went to Pisa to see the leaning tower. After being there, I don't understand why the only thing people talk about is the tower. I was more awed by the Cathedral. Where ever you go every town had a Cathedral, a tower and a Square. Markets surrounded each Square.
Traveling in Venice was really cool. Venice is a collection of over 100 man made islands with canals between them. Each island is connected to the other islands by pedestrian bridges. We got there by water Taxi. The only way to get around is by boat or walk. If you can negotiate steps, Venice isn't difficult to walk. The Gondolas are now owned by the city of Venice. Yep, I got to ride through the canals in the Gondola. I got tickled at the folks I was with. When they saw the Gondola they ask me how in the world I was going to get in it. The boat is like a large canoe with a tall seat in the back. It has an edge wide enough for you to stand on. Yep, I checked it out with my cane, stepped down and very carefully eased into my seat. The Gondeler was helping everybody balance when stepping down into the boat. The ride was a bit smelly but it was fun. I can at least say I did it. heh heh heh!
We traveled to Southern Italy through Naples. People in our group said that city was terrible. The number of homeless people living on the streets was beyond my comprehension. They said there was a cardboard city in many places where families were living. Just box after box side by side with children playing. Breaks your heart.
We road a Foil out to the Ile of Capri. We were stuffed into a shuttle that looked like a Mini Van with 4 rows of seats. When the 4 people filled up the back row, they put down a jump seat and stuffed a 5th person in it. There were 2 jump seats in the entrance to this sardine can. Yep they stuffed 23 people plus the driver in this thing. The only way to fall down in this thing was take 6 people out in order to have room. They took us up the Mama Me'a Road. The guy drove like a demon. That road was steep with hairpin curves going up the mountain. That was crazy. You would fly around a curve. If you could open your eyes, you would see the major drop to the sea. I thought a few of them were going to pass out. Reminded me of a wild ride at the fare. grin!
Just as a side note, Pizza here in the states is nothing like real Italian pizza. I like ours better. smile!
Needless to say my adventures in Italy was just that, an adventure. I won't go back with e f tours, but I would go back if the opportunity ever presents itself.
----- Original Message -----
From: cheryl echevarria<mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: Tammy Cantrell<mailto:t.l.cantrell at comcast.net> ; NFB Travel and Tourism Division List<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2011 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] international cane travel
can you give your description of it. We would all like to hear your experiences there.
Also give advice is you can especially with the Touraine since many roads are unpaved there.
Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>
Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com<http://www.superiortravel.com/>
Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise & Travel, Inc.
----- Original Message -----
From: Tammy Cantrell<mailto:t.l.cantrell at comcast.net>
To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2011 8:18 AM
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] international cane travel
No, I haven't been there yet. smile!
It is amazing how different each place is that I have been. The most
challenging place I have been was Pompeii, Italy. That was an amazing
place.
----- Original Message -----
From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com<mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>>
To: "NFB Travel and Tourism Division List" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>>
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2011 5:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] international cane travel
> In reference to Tammy, I guess you haven't been in New York City, during
> rush hour. ROFL.
>
> In retrospect, when I travel alone meaning without my husband, I use cane
> and dog, some places I cannot bring the dog, some countries do not allow
> the dogs from the USA to be in there countries. That being said, I always
> take my cane in my purse with me, should I need the little extra help that
> Maxx might not know.
>
> If I am using cane whether here in the states or outside, the streets are
> different where ever we go, like things are new where ever we go.
>
> So always use what you know, also it is not shame in asking for help in an
> area you are not sure of John. Being independent is knowing how to ask for
> help when it is needed. So if you don't need the help then use the cane in
> that instance, if you do need the cane and you mentioned you are traveling
> with others, say hey, do you mind if I grab your arm for a few minutes, I
> cannot figure out this particular part, I am sure you will not get any
> nos.
>
> Take care.
>
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/<http://www.echevarriatravel.com%3chttp//www.echevarriatravel.com/>>
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com%3Cmailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>>
>
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in
> Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com<http://www.superiortravel.com/<http://www.superiortravel.com%3chttp//www.superiortravel.com/>>
>
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise & Travel,
> Inc.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Wendy David<mailto:wendydav at mindspring.com<mailto:wendydav at mindspring.com>>
> To: Tammy Cantrell<mailto:t.l.cantrell at comcast.net<mailto:t.l.cantrell at comcast.net>> ; NFB Travel and
> Tourism Division List<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 10:57 PM
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] international cane travel
>
>
> Hi. Although I usually travel with a Guide Dog, I have been to Paris,
> Amsterdam, London, Copenhagen, and Scandinavia with a cane only. I found
> that it was much easier for me to navigate with a rolling tip cane, as
> many
> of the streets are cobblestoned and the sidewalks can be quite old. I
> used a
> California folding cane with roling tip and had few problems. I also had
> an
> older NFB telescopic cane with metal tip and found this caught in many of
> the cracks, resulting in the cane collapsing while I walked. Hope this
> helps. Have a great trip and let us know how you fared.
> Wendy David
> "Sites Unseen: Traveling the World without Sight," National Braille
> Press,
> 2010.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tammy Cantrell"
> <t.l.cantrell at comcast.net<mailto:t.l.cantrell at comcast.net<mailto:t.l.cantrell at comcast.net%3Cmailto:t.l.cantrell at comcast.net>>>
> To: "NFB Travel and Tourism Division List"
> <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org%3Cmailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>>>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 7:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] international cane travel
>
>
> >I have been to the Holy Land, Greece and Italy. My biggest challenge
> was
> >navigating in the masssive number of people. In Italy, we had to push
> and
> >shove to get through the crouds. We had to cross the roads in a mass
> >because the drivers were nothing like I have ever seen. They had no
> regard
> >for traffic signals. We took our lives in our hands when we made a
> >crossing.
> >
> > I enjoyed all of these experiences but they did have a few mobility
> > challenges.
> >
> > Hope you enjoy your new adventure.
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "John Davis"
> <john.davis817 at gmail.com<mailto:john.davis817 at gmail.com<mailto:john.davis817 at gmail.com%3Cmailto:john.davis817 at gmail.com>>>
> > To: <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org%3Cmailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>>>;
> <blindtlk at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindtlk at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindtlk at nfbnet.org%3Cmailto:blindtlk at nfbnet.org>>>
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 11:34 AM
> > Subject: [Travelandtourism] international cane travel
> >
> >
> >> 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
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Travelandtourism mailing list
> >> Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org%3Cmailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>>
> >>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org%3Chttp://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org>>
> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> Travelandtourism:
> >>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/t.l.cantrell%40comcast.net<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/t.l.cantrell%40comcast.net<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/t.l.cantrell%40comcast.net%3Chttp://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/t.l.cantrell%40comcast.net>>
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Travelandtourism mailing list
> > Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org%3Cmailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>>
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org%3Chttp://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org>>
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > Travelandtourism:
> >
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/wendydav%40mindspring.com<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/wendydav%40mindspring.com<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/wendydav%40mindspring.com%3Chttp://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/wendydav%40mindspring.com>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Travelandtourism mailing list
> Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org%3Cmailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>>
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org%3Chttp://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org>>
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Travelandtourism:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com%3Chttp://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com>>
> _______________________________________________
> Travelandtourism mailing list
> Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org>
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Travelandtourism:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/t.l.cantrell%40comcast.net<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/t.l.cantrell%40comcast.net>
_______________________________________________
Travelandtourism mailing list
Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org<mailto:Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org>
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Travelandtourism:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com<http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/cherylandmaxx%40hotmail.com>
More information about the TravelAndTourism
mailing list