Navigating Travel as Tall as Danny DeVito: A Nightmare Unfolding

I felt a pang of dismay as the generous passerby hoisted my suitcase and stowed it in the overhead bin on the aircraft.

In 1994, when I was around 25 years old, I traveled solo for the first time.
Portugal
This kind individual believed they were helping me out since I was having difficulty reaching it myself. However, when they moved it further back, I realized I would still struggle to retrieve it alone.

I stand at 4 feet 10 inches, matching the same stature.
Danny DeVito
or
Barbara Windsor
, as a point of reference. And – similar to every
short person
I fully understand how crucial it is to place your suitcase precisely in the overhead compartment.

Should it be placed upfront, you might still have a good shot at standing on your toes (or jumping), stretching out, and grabbing the handle.

A few inches further back, and you are reliant on the helpfulness of others. Then if you need to get something out of your bag mid-flight, bad luck.

I envy tall people
because they simply stand up, open the compartment, reach into their bag, and retrieve their book. Us sub-five-footers have to think ahead, making sure we have everything we might need before the ‘fasten seatbelts’ sign lights up.

It’s paradoxical, then, that taller individuals constantly complain about airplanes and trains – there’s never
enough leg room
Apparently, and they frequently express discomfort due to muscle cramps.

Indeed, I never have to pay for additional legroom seating (although I’ve considered it once or twice just for fun). The reality is that being short presents its own set of challenges when traveling, often making things even harder—especially if you’re on your own.

I realized how short I was at age four during lineup for assembly. Being last in line made me an easy target for teasing. I often wished I could reach the second spot, but it never happened.

When I grew older, life as a short teenager was tricky because I was too small for the trendy clothes my friends wore. And many people don’t look at you beyond your height, which meant that even in my twenties, it was hard to get
served in a pub
.

As for travelling, I first realised the extent of the problem when I embarked on an interrail trip across Europe with friends in 1988, aged 20.

My backpack was nearly my size, despite me picking one that was 20 litres smaller than everybody else’s — and I had trouble with it throughout the whole month-long journey.

Nowadays, being petite doesn’t prevent me from accomplishing anything at all, nor does it hinder my travels, something I am deeply passionate about.

Now that I have a husband and two somewhat gangly teens for company when traveling, things have gotten simpler, despite their occasional tendencies.
pats you patronizingly on the top of your head
As they keep my bags.

We’ve gone Interrailing with our family over the past couple of years, and I carefully plan each trip to steer clear of any challenges involving little ones.

This indicates that I secure train seats whenever possible since I am unable to grab onto the overhead handrails that many people hold onto. Consequently, I must place my small-sized feet securely on the floor and pray that the train does not brake abruptly or experience sudden jerks.

I’ve been tossed around several times, but thankfully I’ve never gotten injured.

When you arrive at your destination, being short presents its own set of challenges. From watching the Tour de France in Paris to attending the Menin Gate ceremony in Ypres, my perspective has often been obstructed by the backs of people’s heads.

It doesn’t matter how early you pick your spot, someone at least a foot bigger than you will inevitably rock up at the last minute and plonk themselves in front of you, blocking your view.

Visiting a monument or viewing a renowned painting in an art gallery involves waiting calmly as people move away so I can quickly step forward and secure a spot right up front.

We’re off to
Bilbao this summer
I’m looking to reserve an early time slot at the Guggenheim so I can get there before the crowds show up.

During our initial Eurail adventure when we traversed 16 distinct towns and cities, I found myself repeatedly explaining to my relatives that no, I wasn’t strolling lazily. The truth was, I matched their pace; however, due to shorter strides, it appeared otherwise.

This was demonstrated by the fact that occasionally I would take 5,000 steps more per day compared to my spouse. Can you guess who ended up being fitter?
the one with blisters
?

Accommodation issues may arise as well. The bathroom mirrors are positioned too high, making it impossible to see yourself. Tall kitchen cabinets in rental units often have glasses and mugs stored on upper shelves. Additionally, windows come equipped with locks that are situated too high to access easily.

Positively, during our Interrail adventure, I didn’t encounter any issues sleeping in a closet-sized sleeper cabin. Additionally, I managed just fine using the miniature packets of shampoo provided at certain economical accommodations. Furthermore, I cut costs when purchasing unexpected vacation essentials such as sandals by opting for kids’ sizes instead.

Thus, traveling as a young person is far from unattainable – it simply requires a bit more preparation.

For those tall individuals who complain about their challenges, remember that you can easily view the Mona Lisa and the Manneken Pis statue above everyone else’s heads.

So cease your grumbling – could you grab my bag from up there, please?

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