ShayTay

Thanks for the photos, Lynda! It's always nice to put faces to names, just as we did at the LA GTG. By the way, Kennedy says "Hi!". His daughter is doing well at boarding school and they got to spend a some time with her a couple of weeks ago.

matnikstym

Great pics Lynda! Glad everyone had a good time!

Leely

Thanks for posting the photos and the mini-report, Lynda. I thought everyone looked great--including you, so you can't be *that* unphotogenic.

I hope to see more installments of the most recent Micato trip report and photos soon (hint hint).

LyndaS

Oh oh, I hope I didn't miss you adventuregirl! Your trip will be fabulous! You don't need to dress up at all for dinner - just a pair of pants and a nice top is fine! Please post when you get back, you will LOVE it & I hope you get Daniel!

Thanks for the compliment Leely (and for that I will hurry & do another installment for you!); welcome back ShayTay; and your flying in for the next GTG, Dennis! Or, hey, Kevin, your not so far away you know.... just a short flight!

And thanks Raelond & Calo - I am REALLY looking forward to our next GTG!

slowtravel

What makes you guys do these sorts of GTGs?

Calo

<i>&quot;What makes you guys do these sorts of GTGs?&quot;</i>

We love the idea of being able to connect with like-minded Africa lovers. One venue is this forum, but to meet each other in person and share our common interest - no, passion - for Africa is such a fun thing to do. It provides an opportuntity to create steadfast friendships beyond the forum, and share our stories and pictures in person.

The Northwest Coast Safari Squad has already decided we'd like to plan another GTG. But we'll let Lynda and Jim recover from this last one first

Patty

Thanks for the report and photos. Looked like a lot of fun!

granny

Great pictures Lynda. Hope we can make the next one.

Carol

LyndaS

No problem Cathy on the next one, I'm recovered now! Well, OK, maybe I should buy some curtains for the office for the next one first ...

slowtravel

I find the GTG concept surprising. I guess some of us have plenty of people in our lives than off of a website!! But I appreciate all the help many of you provide regularly. Thanks.

matnikstym

what is so surprising about meeting people who share a common interest, whether you meet them online, in the street at work or wherever?
what a strange first post.

roslaire

LyndaS_You are very photogenic.

Everyone is special. And be nice to yourself, we all have qualities we like and dislike about ourselves!

I read your email. Oh, Africa?? I must have been 'cruising' for gtg's because after we emailed, I couldn't find your gtg in the Canada section. So, luckily I didn't make it b/c I was never in Africa and would have been an outcast. Ha Ha!!! I was just looking for something to do, I guess.

It looks like your gtg was a success.

Have a great day!

bat

Glad that you had such a nice gathering--so hospitable of you.

Matt_from_England

I have hosted a number of GTG's in Portugal (See the Lisbon Dining Club thread under Europe) and upon our last visit to NYC in April was invited to a huge GTG in Manhattan organised by those whom I'd hosted in Lisbon. Wonderful friends and memories. Virtual or otherwise, it's great to be able to talk and share a common interest.

I personally look horrendous in photographs but the beauty is not in what you look like but who you are. Your generosity Lynda speaks for itself.

And if anyone ever wants a safari GTG in Portugal where I can bore you all with talk of conservation and charity work let me know.

Matt

LyndaS

slowtravel, the idea of a GTG, as Dennis mentions, is to make new friends with common interests, and I sure don't see anything wrong with that! The 12 of us had a fun afternoon and evening, we shared a meal and a love for a country that takes its hold on you. As I have often said - Africa gets in your blood and won't wash out.

I don't think it makes any difference if you have 100 existing friends, or 1000, there is always room for more in our lives (my husband Jim would agree with me 100% on all of this). Don't get me wrong, we don't 'collect' friends, we embrace and welcome them. My best friend, to this day, came to me as a 'penpal' 45 years ago, and what was the penpals of old, but the internet buddies of new?

Speaking for ourselves, our passions in life are meeting people, discovering different cultures and ways of life, animals, history, photography and travel. But - I bet each and every one of the Africa enthusiasts on this board have almost the same passions in life as us. And in a GTG, we can talk about ALL of them with each other. And no one yawned or said, 'oh my, look what time it is'. Or, whispered 'oh no, are they really going to talk about Africa <i>again</i>?'

And, I must say, it was wonderful to have three of our guests stay over for the night as we got to talk about our passion the rest of the night and the next morning over coffee too!

It was a PLEASURE to meet everyone who came, and it would indeed be a pleasure to meet any and all of the people who participate on this board - and no different in principle than having a 'Star Trek' convention, or a 'sheepdog owner' convention or anything similar to that!

Ohmigosh, time to get off my soap box, and write another installment in my trip report!

raelond

Well said Lynda!

Calo

&quot;<i>Well said, Lynda</i>&quot;

Ditto!!