Hi friends,
I am a newbie just want to say Hi to all you guys.

Welcome to the board! Lots of great information and wonderful people here, enjoy.

Hi akin_smith,
Hope you get as much enjoyment from this forum as I have,not to mention all the valuable info wonderful photo's and great trip reports.
Have you been or are you looking to go on safari or perhaps just mulling it over? Which ever way - Welcome.

Welcome, akin_smith!

Hi from me too. Just registered and feel I know so many of you as I've been reading most of the postings for a few days now. Had read PedatorBiologist's plan to protect the cheetahs and thought how polite and nonjudgemental he seems. I retired about a year ago and received this laptop from my husband for Christmas and planned our trip to Tanzania for Oct. from info I gleaned from the internet but just visited this site recently. I can't seem to log off and my honey thinks I have a problem!( I have to have him show me how to make those smiley faces). I am so looking forward to our first safari and have thoughts about the next one already (Botswana?)Good suggestions on books from question "What are you reading now?" Nice to know all you folks and thanks for all the info and entertainment.

Karen

Karen,
Welcome too!

Here's the smiley legend http://www.fodors.com/forums/smileys/

When your honey starts referring to the posters here by their screen names, that's when you know Fodors has really invaded your life

... and also, when you're on your safari and start thinking about people on this chat board -- or, "Wow, I definitely have to put that in my trip report!" -- that's another sure sign of Fodors invasion.

Welcome! Hope you have as much fun here as I've had.

Patty,

Thanks so much!..
This is fun. I love cats and am half Irish.

Karibuni akin_smith na Karen!

Welcome Akin Smith! Hope it is not long between your initial hello and your first trip to Africa.

KRNS, We'll be expecting the full array of smileys in your upcoming posts.

Welcome Akin!

a very warm welcome from me!
i hope you soon upload your first question or trip report ;-)
take care and enjoy!