Looks like I can't be there. Mom is going home today and I'm in charge of picking her up, grocery shopping and getting her settled in at home. What's frustrating is that she lives just a few miles away from MIT! But, how would I tell my 83 year old mother, recovering from pnemonia, that I am leaving her alone to dash off to a Fodors GTG?

Have a great time and hello to everyone - I would have wanted to see you all again and meet you, Bookchick!

Have a GREAT time mes amis!
And please -- I want a picture of y'all pouring wine in bookie's mouth

Mostly I want a group pic for the fodorite site.

I think it's Dave who wants the wine poured in his mouth! Either way, it would make a great picture.

Marianna, I'm sorry you won't be there, we'll be thinking of you and your mother. At least it sounds as if she is recovering well if she is going home today.

And it's both Dave and Bookchick who want the alcohol poured in.

But what to wear? And how to pack? And is it too late to learn the language?

Nikki, none of that will matter after a few glasses of wine! Have fun!

Marianna - Can you get your groceries at Star Market which is connected to the Hotel @ MIT and just pop in to Sidney's and say hi? Glad your mom is better.

Nikki - So funny about the language! Last spring I couldn't understand the guy at the Cambridge post office!

Have a great GTG!!

Wish I could join you all but I'll be working today. Hope to make it next time. Maybe in the spring?

Happy travel talk everyone and try to stay warm!

I cannot wait to hear All about it!!
Have a great time, everyone!!

Is anyone up yet to tell us about it? Maybe it went from early afternoon to a late night GTG!

Had a great time at the get-together. It was terrific to meet old friends and new. For some, it did turn into a late night. Ask Marcy about the topless joint.

Now, I want to see those pictures.

Oh, did I say that out loud? I meant tapas place.

Sure, Nikki, we know it was a (topless) tapas place.

Sounds like you had a fun time at the GTG. Sorry I missed it.

Gee, what happened after I left? I missed out? It was a lot of fun putting faces to names and names to screen names. Also it was nice not to be the ones who came the furthest thanks to Indytravel, Bookchick and Marcy.

Pictures, please???

Thanks to Bob, Dave and all others for pulling this years event together. I had to leave a tad early, but it appears I missed one of Marcy's finest hours..... I know she said "topless", I know she covered with "Tapas"....but what I don't know is what happened afterwards,,,,,you go Marcy!!!!

we had fun and there were about 19 of us in the end....the room was comfortable and the food was decent...we ended up at two tables...one taling europe primarily and one asia....talk about segregation, but then this is boston...

pictures were still being looked at when i left...

dave took some pictures but they were of the film variety....i did not see another camera....

that i know the following states were represented:

MA
CT
IN
MI
Cambridge, MA-- a country unto thyself

shall we make this an annual affair...??

Thanks to Indy and rhkkmk for setting this up! It was so much fun to see everyone from last year's event as well as the new faces that joined us.

I personally think this should be a yearly event!

Oh my goodness- I turn my back on the computer and the rumors abound!!

What a great time meeting everybody and having a chance to talk in person.

And there are some stories I'll never tell!

I 'd vote for it to be an annual event-- but maybe not in January? (although we really did luck out on the weather this time)

I would like to thank Bob Kimball for his wonderful organizational skills, and for his kindness. All of the folks from MA were so terrific, and frankly, much warmer than their temperatures! (Although Marcy, Dave & I are from a part of America not particularly desert-like, either!)

I can't begin to say how lovely a time I had, how much I enjoyed meeting everyone, and how bright, witty, and interesting all you folks are.

Now I must leave to enter a detox program for my liver---I swear Dave & I together must have imbibed a case of red wine!

BTW, Marcy also invited me to join her at the topless..uh, tapas place, but I had a prior dinner engagement. Although I was sorry to have missed what I'm certain was a unique experience, cigalechanta made sure I had a nutritious and delicious meal on Saturday night, which may prove helpful to my detox efforts!

Thanks again, everyone!

BC