I don't think it is a crap, I don't think it is a crab, I do think it might be a carp.

Nikki... lol, rotflmao... whatever it is is packed away in my suitcase so I can't retrieve it. I was just sure it wasn't 'crap'... haha

Peter, Linda, you early risers... couldn't wait to have b'fast with the big group on Sunday morning. But I'm glad you are having fun in NE. I hope you will plan to come to this GTG again sometime.

BC... next year!

Nanabee, don't work too hard.

Carol

I have to chime in and say that this year's GTG was so much fun. It was great to see old friends as well as making new ones! I loved hearing the various stories people told during dinner on Friday night. It was much fun.

BC & IndyTravels - you both were missed.

Thank you to rhkkmk, simpsconc510, Lcuy, and others for the wonderful goodies.

Nikki - I think you're right - it was a carp ornament in the candle.

Rhkkmk and Gpanda (and Mrs. Gpanda): thank you for organizing such a fun event.

Happy and safe travels to all who are departing soon for lands beyond your home.

TR

it was CRAP not carp or any other fish... we loved the bright pink color... also it weighs about 2 pounds so great for the luggage...

TravelRibbon, thanks, pal, I missed your smiling face, too!

Rhkkmk, penalties have now attached and I plan to collect before this week ends. The Washington DC GTG folks have posted their photos:
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...010-photos.cfm

BC

Ahoy, one of the sailors who attended Saturday's lunch showed up on a Billerica doorstep today. Odd.

4am?

Did the sailor have a globe in his hands?

How about a pre and another post GTG posting for those of us who missed it, bur obviously weren't missed :(

I'm just home from the weekend in Boston (and stop at the house in Albany). As always, Eric and I had a great time. Thanks to Bob, Andy, Karen and Beth once again for a fabulous time. It was great seeing everyone--and super great that Peter and Linda, Joyce (Jaya) and Avalee--hope I spelled that correctly-- (nanabee) came to the festivities. It was also so nice to meet Joan and John, who came all the way from London thinking they were going to spend a nice quiet time with Karen and Bob and got us instead!

I wish we could have made it to Don's house on Friday night for the cocktail hour(s) but that damn Mass. Pike and I-95 traffic killed our plans. At least we made it to Fri. night dinner at Papa Razzi. Even the return of my migraine symptoms couldn't stop me from having a good time (still having them Carol but I've got an appointment with my doc at Mt. Sinai Thursday). I was very proud to win the first ever Boston GTG Globe Award and will treasure it forever! Never mind that I will have to explain to all who see it why it looks so cheesy, I love it and will give it a place of honor in my home.

Lucy, by the time you read this, you will be on the ground in SE Asia. I hope you had a restful and uneventful flight. Have a wonderful time and bring back stories for the next GTG.

Craig and Jean--happy happy anniversary and have a blast in Hawaii ((l)) We expect stories from you as well (hopefully they will include tales of spoons and cherry stems).

Stacy, it was great to see you and if you decide to make a side trip to Rome, you know where to find me.

Mimi, leggings, jeggings, YOU GO GIRL!!

Bookie, we missed you. You had better be there next year!

Looking forward to next year. Bob, got those dates yet?

Celeste: Aye.

NYwoman, you were missed!!! Yes, you were discussed, as was BC. Did your ears burn? We knew that you were otherwise obligated, so you could not make the trip to BOS. NEXT YEAR!

Laurie, that 'globe award' is very similar to an Academy Award, and it should be standing in a place of honor!

Bob... it WAS crap???? still laughing about that one! I will laugh everytime I look at it, in fact.

And regarding the date for next year, I still like Columbus Day weekend! I am 99% sure it is 'free' pretty much every year.

NH was pretty today, but not spectacular (colorwise)... the outlet shopping, on the other hand, was stupendous. Laurie, you'd LOVE the Coach shop in Tilton. 50% off, plus another 25% off for a donation to breast cancer ($1), and NO sales tax! Needless to say, I'm trying to make room in my (2nd) suitcase for all of my purchases now!

Lucy, looking forward to your comments (especially about the Adelphi Suites in BKK, Sukhumvit soi 8... my home away from home, when in Bangkok).

Don, I'm probably going to do the scenic drive that you suggested, tomorrow. Will also include Newburyport. Looks like another sunny day here in New England.

Carol

My ears are always burning. I just assume it's a kind of "preview of coming attractions" for my destination in the after-life. ((6))

BC

The camaradarie was wonderful. Everyone had a great story or two to tell. The good will was palpable. To use a 1960's phrase, "everybody had a buzz on." Somehow each year, there's a comfortable mix of renewing acquaintances and starting new ones. The newbies fit in smoothly. It appears that "shy Fodorite" is an oxymoron.

I want to add my thanks to Bob, Karen, Andy, and Beth for organizing these great events. Thanks also to Lucy for the Hawaiian coffee and to Mr. and Mrs. HT for the lovely calendars. Also to others for the grab bags--great stuff! Fodor's sent new orange bags and a selection of guide books that were raffled off.

The show and tell section at lunch where everyone described a favorite souvenir from travel added to our conversation topics. Prizes were awarded for "most" categories--continents visited, countries visited in 24 hours, number of legs on a trip etc. These were brilliant ideas and got everyone talking, mixing, and laughing.

It was an impressive gathering of Fodorites from near and far (thanks all for traveling here) and a nicer, smarter, group of people would be hard to find. I too am looking forward to next year.

<i><<...a nicer, smarter, group of people would be hard to find>>
</i>

This is actually a typical experience. Whenever I fail to show up, the IQ in the room soars exponentially.

BC

<i>everybody had a buzz on</i>

If only...

Rizz, if you didn't have enough to drink, whose fault is it??
Sounds to me as though you didn't live up to Billerican standards.

((B))
BC

IMO - Columbus Day weekend makes good sense - allows for the needed recovery time. I was just thinking that I must go to the dinner (or the whole weekend) next year. I checked our calendar and guess what.... we'll be in Valros, France....I'm blocking 2012 now!

BC,

<<...a nicer, smarter, group of people would be hard to find>>

If you had been there, I would have added "wonderful." Don't tell anyone though.