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| The infamous bridge |
We both woke up and got ready for our early departure. We left our room at 3:45 AM! Thank
God the Monestary has a small elevator but it is very slow (see previous post). It took us 30 seconds to move from
floor to floor and we were on the third. There are no smooth paths in Italy. The streets are pretty but
all cobblestones so not the easiest for pulling luggage along. With backpacks full and suitcases
full, we grabbed a cool water from the fridge and started on our trek to the bus station so we could
get a taxi. I have definitely built up strength in my arms. Those first days of our journey, I
nearly split a gut trying to get up several flights of stairs. Now I was able to grab that suitcase
and somehow get it up the stairs and down. I was not as fast as Tiffany but I could manage
without killing myself in doing so. Part of my struggle is I have a pulled tendon in my left
thumb so I have been wearing a thumb/wrist bandage and can’t pull a lot with my left hand.
After the fourth bridge, I was still trudging along but was a little behind Tiffany. We got to the
last big bridge. It had steps but then in the middle it had a smooth handicap area where you
could easily pull your luggage. I was trying to pick up a little speed and watching ahead for
Tiffany when the smooth area suddenly turned back into steps. I missed that first step and before
I knew it was down on the steps. I was on my side draped across three steps with my luggage
spread out with me. Tiffany turned around and saw me. She quickly asked if I was okay and I
hollered yes – although I wasn’t sure. Then she said, “I’ll go grab us a taxi.” I was thinking,
“Really, I’m all sprawled out here and you’re going to get the taxi.” I had twisted my ankle and I
really wasn’t sure if I could walk. My knee hurt, my leg hurt, my ankle was pounding with pain.
I had to pray for strength to hold back the tears. Tiffany had only seen one taxi and she was
afraid it was going to leave before we got it. She really did care and her intent was to grab the
taxi, get rid of her luggage then come help me. We rode to the airport with both of us thinking silently – what the heck are we going to do if I can’t walk?!
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Once we got to the airport and checked in our luggage, we asked an airport worker if they had
First Aid. I was hoping for some ice to put on my ankle during the flight. I would have to go
downstairs because the regular first aid wasn’t opened yet. There wasn’t time and I didn’t want
to walk on it anymore. This was a two hour flight and seats had been assigned so we were not
seating together on this flight. Tiffany had given me two extra strength Tylenol when she saw I
was about to cry from the pain. I had also taken my motion sick pill for the flight so with the
two meds, I fell asleep as soon as I was in my seat. Again, another time to ask for Divine
Intervention. Upon landing, my ankle was still very tender and starting to swell but I could put a
little pressure on it and move it so it wasn’t broken. We were still both silently thinking – what
were we going to do if I couldn’t walk on it?!
Upon landing, I had to walk very gingerly but was walking. We got our luggage and caught a
shuttle from the airport to the bus station. I could see the green mountains and clear, blue waters.
The land was beautiful, I hoped I would be able to walk and see this city. Our host picked us up
at the station and took us to our room. It was up two flights of stairs. Thank goodness, he
carried mine up for me. We were both tired from an early rising and added stress of trying to
catch the early flight and the uncertainty of my ability to walk. I sat on the couch with my ankle
elevated. Tiffany took a nap. We had a refrigerator in our apartment and I found an ice tray in
the freezer. It was one of those useless kind with the cute little shapes. There were about 4 tiny
strawberry shaped cubes but it was ice. I put them in a garbage bag and put it on my ankle. It
did help. The apartment is nothing fancy but has a lot of plus features. The living room/kitchen
area is in a separate room. Tiffany tends to go to bed earlier than I do so this was nice. We also
have a TV and it has Netflix. It was a nice change to actually be able to watch TV in English.
We watched numerous segments of Friends. We also have a small washer in our apartment.
When Tiffany woke up, she did a load of laundry and we found a cool folding clothes rack so we
could spread out our clothes to dry.
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| Johnnie and Tiffany |
We were hungry. I had not taken off my tennis shoe because I wasn’t sure I could get it back on
if I did. I was walking better and although it was sore, I could put pressure on it. We walked
down the street about 5 blocks and found a place for lunch. We had pizza and brought home the
leftovers. There was a nearby beach and we were now in beautiful Croatia, with gorgeous clear
water from the Adriatic Sea. We had planned on going swimming upon arrival. I knew I was
pushing it a little but I was going to be very cautious. We went back, changed into our swimsuits
and walked down to the beach. It was quite a descent down the side of the mountain to the rocky
beach. I was afraid to try and take off my shoe and I don’t like to walk on rocks. Tiffany took
the plunge and said it was pretty cold. I managed to get to the rocks so I could put my feet in the
cold water, tennis shoes and all. We both figured the cold water would help my ankle and I think
it did. It was a nice venture out and so beautiful. We slowly climbed back up the steps and
returned home to clean up for dinner.
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| Bellevue Beach |
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| Adriatic Sea |
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| Johnnie and Tiffany |
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| So many gorgeous flowers |
On our way to dinner we stopped at a pharmacy and bought an ace bandage. I had finally taken
off my tennis shoes, which were now wet from the beach. I had on some other loose walking
shoes. Tiffany wrapped my ankle and it felt so much better having that little pressure against it.
We decided we walk into Old Town and look around, stopping before we got there for a quick
dinner. We only found a sandwich shop so we ordered a hamburger and hot dog. Both were not
what we expected but it was dinner. Tourists are heavy in Old Town so the prices are inflated. I
had no idea what to expect so I enjoyed seeing all the shops and the architecture of the town. It
had been downhill all the way from our apartment, about a mile. We took a bus back to our stop,
which still made us walk a couple of blocks uphill and then up the stairs to our room. It had been
a long day and we were tired. I decided to keep the bandage on my foot and try to sleep with it
elevated. Tomorrow would be another full day.
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| Johnnie in the Old Town |
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| Nightlife in the Old Town |
WALKING ACTIVITY: 8.8 miles; 19,821 steps; 14 floors; 81 degrees F
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