Seems I have frustrated and annoyed some with my "improper" posting titles and multiple postings of the same post. I'm sorry about the multiple posts. That was due to a situation here with our internet service. I got cut off and couldn't find my postafterward, so posted it again. After that I refreshed and saw I had posted it twice. I was searching for a way to remove one of the postings but don't think it's possible. Tell me if there is a way. Then yes I posted a third time under a different title because I hadn't gotten any responses. I thought it must have been titled obscurely. (sp) So, yes I have added a bit of clutter and probably wasted some peoples time. I'm sorry, I didn't mean that to happen. I wasted some of my own time re-posting if that is any consolation.

As far as "Am I screwed?". I think that worked great. Added some drama and excitement to my work day and probably several others, through the conversation it generated. As I had already mentioned, I didn't mean it to offend anyone. I just needed some responses.

All this being said, I really appreciate the advice and "coaching" that some have offered. I have only been a Fodorite for less than a week. We will be leaving for Italy/Greece the early part of May, so I'll be around for a while yet. I do have lots to learn in the way of international travel. It's always been a desire of mine and my wifes and we are finally going for it. I believe this will be the first trip in a lifetime of trips to come. Looking forward to sharing more wisdom and experience from you all.

If you've read this far, Thank you. You're sweet.

Don't sweat it...I'll bet even the most seasoned Fodorites have made mistakes here and there! Use the good advice you get here (there's lots of it!), ignore the rude comments, and enjoy your trip.

This is the best place for specific advice and answers, and for FREE, so just keep on coming back...

HI soulseven,

That was sweet of you to apologize for upsetting people (and I did read the entire thing).

To find all your posts simply click on your name in the upper left corner of the screen. If you don't get responses you can "top" your own posts by responding to your original thread requesting help again. This keeps all the answers in one post.

LOL, soulseven, most of us have seen worse, believe me!
I was very annoying recently on another forum, when I clicked once and it posted something like 5 times!
We had lunch yesterday with a gentleman from Greece and he did make me want to go there soon. I will look forward to hearing about your trip..you are definitely on the way to becoming an international traveler~

No need to apologize SS,

Just don't make the same misteak twice.

Ira - your spelling misteak will take the heat off soulseven - the fodors police will be hunting you down. &gt

My smiley legend isn't working right. Let's try again. >-)

It's 2:30pm in California and I had a wonderful lunch (hic!), so I clicked on your name and was silly enough to read everything that came up.

You have gotten advice from some of the best people on this forum. The sincerity and honesty of the answers on this forum is unique and unmatchable.

Nevertheless, I can relate to some of the protestations. You have lost CONTINUITY with multiple posts. You've gotten suggestions here, there, and everywhere. It is still not clear whether, after all the careful advice, you have decided which countries to go to or which major cities to concentrate on.

My advice is to STICK WITH ONE POSTING.

You seem to want the Mediterranean countries of Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. So be it. But do you have any preferences among these countries? You've got three weeks and not much money. OK, got that. But how much money DO you have to spend? If you continue on one thread, people can ask questions and get more details from your answers and thereby give you better answers to help you narrow your choices down to where they are manageable.

My suggestion? Why don't you check out some of the European cruise ships? They charge less than the American ones like Carnival, and they stop off in a number of European port cities in the Mediterranean. You can stop in each port and do each port on your own instead of paying dearly for the cruise ship's own "tours". Do a cruise of the Mediterrean for 10 days to two weeks, then spend the rest of the time doing "in depth" a Mediterranean country of your choosing.

The other way to save money is to buy an Eurail pass and travel between cities at night, thereby saving one night's lodging per trip. This involves a lot of planning.

Another way to save is to check out Rick Steves' books on Europe and check out the B&Bs that he suggests for the cities of your choice.

Good luck! (And now back to my novel of choice: One Hundred Years of Solitude).

Mea gulpa. Je m'excuse because I sink I was being, how you say, waaayyy zu harsch..

Baisse ouiches,

R

Soulseven:

ok, I have been laughing with you...ok?

I read your post despite my hubby threatening to hide my keyboard.
(I have been posting a trip report today for hours...)

I can not believe that you are only one week old...OMG. LAUGH!!!!!

Watching you "age" on Fodors is going to be FUN!!!1

Later I will take a look at your trip for May. Toss in my two cents...

Do you think you could put it all into one post? (Giggle)

I am laughing because I am the WORST at putting a topic on the same thread. I get help from those who know.

BTW, what does soulseven mean? Their is an ANCIENT THREAD where posters told what their "name" meant. Please share when you can...on this thread if possible (ha-ha).

My Best,
Oaktown Traveler