Mimi - Matt and I are on the way to Paris for teh annual birthday trip on 11/11... this year we fly to Rome for lunch on his Birthday (the 15th),,,,,Jeff

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff, have a fabulous time as you always do. Tell me all about it when you return,
affectionately, mimi

Mimi - my first task once in Paris will be to post a message to set everyone stright on "the dangers of Paris".....although I am sure I know the answer already....we'll be thinking of you each time we see a Cigal.... be well my friend!

amwosu:
Just got back from Phoenix. Went to Michaels and I'll have to say it's not as good as I hoped it would be. Here's what we had:
-lobster risotto (good)
-ravioli (good)
-clam chowder (too salty)
-sea bass (too salty)
-duck (too salty)
My huband, who usually adds more pepper & salt to his food, also felt the food was salty.

However, the atmosphere & service was great. We sat outside on the heated patio...it's more quiet & warm (because of the fireplace/heater). Hope you have better food at thanksgiving:)

Oh sammyc! Bummer about the food at Michael's. Should I change to Lon's at the Hermosa or somewhere else instead or just go for it at Michael's?

How was your trip otherwise? Any place that I HAVE to go while I'm there?

Its raining with lots of tornado activities here in central Indiana and we may get snow flurries by early next week so I am really looking forward to the Valley of the Sun for a long weekend at Thanksgiving.

Headed to Hong Kong area November 26 then Shanghai a week later( mostly business ) then Baltic Cruise in May with side trip to Prague. Can't wait for both. Gotta start making my list.
Good traveling to all.

Jim

Just back from a birthday weekend in Boston and then it's a cruise to the Caribbean in February and London in March! I'm taking my mother to London this time, it will be her first trip there.

Ger (OReilly) am reading this for the first time. I have some hysterical memories of Evora from my first trip ever to Europe (back in the dark ages). How was the trip?

We'll be off for Salzburg right after Christmas and through New Years. Hence my recent posts re: day trips from Salzburg.

Seeing all these recently taken trips and those that are just ahead for the many posters on this board, I'm wondering why there are so few trip reports coming out of all this travel. Can it be that the humor and writing skill of some has dampened the spirit of those perhaps less gifted in the story-telling realm but still with lots of info to share?

I'm grounded until summer when I may go to Italy & Macedonia.

amwosu, I've heard alot of good things about Michael's. It could just be a bad 'batch' of food last weekend... We really didn't explore PHoenix. We spent most of the day at the Phonecian...awesome place to relax. We had their dessert after we got back from dinner...the white chocolate mousee is awesome! Yeah, I'm back to Chicago...it's windy & flurries outside?? crazy. I wish I have a timeshare in the SW!

cigalchanta
I was at the Asia table with Bob and Karen, and we said "hello" but did not have a chance to chat. I'm off to Germany and Switzerland on T'giving Day for two weeks.
Carol

hey sammyc- was your dessert in the hotel at Mary Elaine's?

Carol, sounds like a great vacation. I hope you'll post pictures. I hear the Christmas markets there are wonderful.
And hope we get to talk some other time.
So now wishiing you a happy Thanksgiving.

I'm off to research, research, and more research :) Home till March.

Called my travel agent for a flight quote: $1,264. Sheesh, even Orbitz gave me $815 with a very tolerable schedule! $449 difference!

flight to where Faina?

San Francisco - Tel Aviv.

I promise a report! Going with Trafalgar. Probably add a couple of days to meet friends.

Did your mother name you after the Russian comic actress, Faina Ranevskaya?

LOL I hope my voice is nothing like her's.

No, she did not. In Judaism it's a no-no to name a child after anybody alive.

WOW!!! Thanks I never knew that or your background, only knowing you were Russian. I won't make that mistake again :)