Marissa,
I am SOOOO happy for you, especially considering that I was one of the doubters (never of you, just of society)! Congratulations on your trip and the smashing success of it all (well, I think I warned you about the shoes, didn't I?). I'd know all about the shoe problems.
I have what's known as "tarsal coalition" meaning that certain parts of my ankles do not move appropriately. I have little to no lateral motion in my ankles, meaning that almost all of the motion I can generate is front to back. That works great for things like biking, but it makes it extremely easy for me to break an ankle moving over uneven surfaces like gravel or, well, in heels at all.
I have a pair of 4" red beauties that I just can't wear unless I'm walking around in my apartment for less than 15 minutes or laying down (not necessarily "on my back"

). Since I'm already tall, I'm just gonna go ahead and get flats for going out with. Thanks to biking, my legs have some nice definition already, and I plan to keep it that way.