Hello to all. I have been trying to post since I learned of Tiverton's death. I read all the lovely words from so many but could not, or more likely, didn't have the patience to work through the registration process to be able to post myself. New computer means new email address and means new challenges for the technologically challenged. But tonight I won the dual battle !

There are several here who had shared private email addresses and many times I wanted to make contact but all addresses went away with the defunct computer.

I was actually in Santa Fe for 5 weeks and came home to tearful messages from Jamaica. I came to Fodor's to verify Sasha's passing.

I knew he was ill last summer but had no idea that he was sick again. He shared so much with so many here, yet he was a very private man.

Among the many gifts he gave me, was a profound love of Jamaica and her people. I can't imagine planning another trip there without his generous help.

I look forward to reading about the plans and travels of my Fodor's friends. I have missed you.

Marion

welcome back marion. such a sad passing. sasha helped so many of us.
i had plans for virgin gorda this fall but a member of our group has dropped out and now the whole trip seems to be up in the air at best. boo hoo.
we are headed to isla mujeres in april though to snorkel and ride around on golf carts (which seems extra fun considering the ins. cost for car rental in mexico).
hope santa fe was fun for you. where are you headed next?

Hi Marion, I have often wondered where you went. You have been missed. I am sorry it was for such a sad reason you returned. Welcome home.

Hi Marion,
Welcome back to the forum. Your wit has been missing. I often wondered where you have been...hoping all was okay. Tiverton will be greatly missed and I know the two of you had a great off-board relationship. He definitely had a love for Jamaica, especially the South Coast and Portie.

It is great to see you your words once again!

Marion I ALSO HAVE TO SAY WELCOME BACK. YES, WE ALL MISS SASAH...HIS LOVE FOR JAMAICA HELP WAS WHAT HELPED MAKE MY LOVE FOR THAT ISLAND SO STRONG.HAPPY JAMAICAN TRAVELS TO EVERYONE!!!

Oh, Marion--I'm happier than I can say to see your name on these boards again. I thought of you when I read the news of Sasha's death and wondered how (and where) you might be.

I'm glad that you're still with us. Do you still have your old email address or has it changed?

How is your back doing?

and your first grandbaby?

Do you have any contact information from anybody in Sasha's family?

Oh Darling, we missed you!

I even posted asking if anyone knew where you were.

How is Hannah Mary? but most of all how is her Nanna?

I'm SO pleased to see you back here

XXX

BTW, if you want to add me to your new email address list - email me at [email protected] and I'll share my 'real' email address with you

If anyone else wants to email me, then feel free. I just don't want to put it as part of my 'author' name

Welcome back! Although for a sad reason, as others have said, we are all glad to have your wit and wisdom amongst us once again.

Welcome back, Marion!

I too thought of you when news of Tiverton hit the boards. Although I didn't know him as you did, his kindness shone through when he posted here.

You might want to see/post on this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35117934

Welcome back, Marion!!!! I've been wondering about you too. Hope all is well. We have to get back in touch.

One thing I think this forum lacks is private messaging. It makes it so much easier to give one's e-mail address privately.

Hi Marion!

Very sad about Tiv. indeed.

I hope you are well.

Faith

Hi Marion -

Welcome back! I am sorry to hear about your friends Tiverton and Sasha. Hope you and yours are doing well. Have you been to Jamaica Inn lately?

Thanks SO much to all who sent welcome back messages. You really know how to make a woman feel good !

As a brief explanation, I have been ill since my return from Jamaica in February of 2007. I "self-diagnosed" and continued to get sicker. I had a lengthy hospital stay in November and was diagnosed with hepatitis, contracted in Jamaica, and because of my self-neglect I was in very serious shape.

Ironically, when I spoke with Sasha about cancelling my scheduled trip to Treasure Beach in February, it was he who offered great encouragement about my strength to recover. How I wish I could have offered him the same encouragement.

My physician has banned travel for me to the Caribbean for the time being. He did encourage my trip to Santa Fe and I loved it there ! So much so, that I am preparing my house for sale and plan to relocate as soon as this house sells.

Hannah is 8 months old now and is a beauty. Such bragging rights are part of being a Nana ! Both my daughters, their husbands, Hannah and an additional Spaniel were here in November. I look forward to spending better days with them all.

Thanks Alya, for posting your private email. I will write to you soon. And Brenda, I agree. I wish there was some way of posting private email addresses somewhat privately

Thanks again for all the kind words !

Marion

Brenda

Why don't you email me (address above) and when Marion emails me I will pass on your address to her - Would that work?

CS - you have mail

Marion, if you're up to it I'd love to get an email from you. Take my user name here, add to that the *product* of 6 and 7, and AOL is my domain.

Or, I could just take the easy way out and email alya and have her send me your info!

ej - take the easy way

Marion, that is just awful! Hepatitis! Gosh, do you have any words of wisdom for your fellow travelers about preventing this? Do you think you got it via a restaurant?

I wish I did have words of wisdom, but I think I should have been more diligent about the fresh fruits and vegetables I ate.

I was exposed, directly, to malaria while I was there. Strong chemicals were used to spray every night, and I believe that I developed some kind of chemical poisoning.

I still don't understand how the CDC is able to identify a strain of hepatitis as distinctly Jamaican, but they apparently can.I didn't post about this at the time, because I didn't want to spread any "fear rumors".

I believe what happened to me was a combination of many factors and I certainly should have addressed my illness a lot sooner !

If I were younger and/or stronger I don't think it would have had such an effect.

How's that for rationalization ;-)

Marion

First of all let me offer my condolences to the family and friends of Tiverton. Marion I am glad you are recovering and hope you can get back to 100%. Take care and hang in there. Larry.