Alma: <BR>Good for you! Have a great trip!!! Enjoy Paris. I love that lovely city.

To Curious: you don't have to be wealthy to send your parents on a trip. It's not your business how her kids pay for the trip and it's not for you to judge how the money would be best spent. This forum is intended to be used by people with questions. There's no limit on questions and Alma's are certainly acceptable.

I hope all of you meanies--and you know who you are--have enough shame to be humiliated after Alma's response. <BR> <BR>Alma, never you mind; some people are too jealous, insecure or personality challenged to let anyone else have fun, much less live their own lives. Have a wonderful, never-to-be forgotten time.

I am not ashamed at all. I know that this is a forum, but it is a *travel* forum, not a psychological support hotline. If Alma wants to know where to eat or where to stay or how to get from a to b, then she should ask as many questions as she wants. BUT if she needs someone to hold her hand while she sweats about eating alone and being by herself and drinking pina coladas...these are not travel questions at all. Come on Alma, use your head: do you really need a travel forum to tell you if you can eat by yourself. Have you never been to a restaurant before? Why don't YOU tell US: are you comfortable in your own company? Have you ever been to a restaurant alone in the US? Do you think they will refuse to serve you if you're alone? What advice can you possibly expect to get here? Are we gooin gto tell you that there is a special club for people who dine alone in Paris and that's it's a great thing you asked so you can send away for your membership. <BR> <BR>And your arguments don't all make a whole lot of sense Alma. You say you're justified in wasting your son's money just because you've had your passport for 5 years. Who cares how long you've had your passport? Have you saved any money of your own? Overcome your fears enough to not drive your son crazy with them. <BR> <BR>And one last point: you have gone on and on about how established and successful and well-travelled and wealthy your son is...but you have said repeatedly that your 'kids' are sending you. What about your other kids? Are they equally wealthy and established? Or are you using your one son's success as an excuse to take advantage of all your kids? <BR> <BR>And by the way. If your son is such a wealthy, established, generous attorney in his late 20's living in ft lauderdale I know a few girls who would love to meet him. Why don't you make yourself useful and post up HIS e-mail.

Curious, Sounds like you are jealous that your kids aren't sending YOU on a trip. Go back under your rock and leave Alma alone. <BR> <BR>Alma, Go to Europe and have fun. I have put my 2 daughters through college and I would be thrilled if they sent me to Europe on a trip. You will make alot of friends and have fun. <BR> <BR>This is suppose to be a forum for asking questions and receiving answers... no matter how silly some people perceive those questions to be!!! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Message: Curious, <BR>What i"m curious about is, why would you read any of my questions that I posted? Have you nothing better to do than read & even answer questions you think are silly? I think, and I know I'm not alone in this, that some people may feel uncomfortable eating alone, especially woman, in a resturant. If you read some of the posts, it is not uncommon for single diners to be put near the back of the resturant or kitchen. <BR>I think some people have the same concerns as I do, but I just asked the questions first.Most of the post from others are helpful, yours are because you are jealous! My children are not rich but very generous and loving. <BR> <BR>If my questions hurt your poor sensibilities,then don't read them, mind your own business and GROW UP!

Dear Curious: <BR> <BR>What on earth makes you think an educated person such as Alma's son would EVER go for the likes of you or your girlfriends??? In your dreams, babe!

Good heavens! Look what happened while I didn't keep up on this thread....all hell broke loose! Good grief. <BR>Alma, I think it's great you are going to Europe. Ask all the questions you want. We will answer and (some of us at least) will hold your emotional hand, too! Whatever....

Hi Alma: <BR>Forget these jealous posters.....Have fun and don't sweat the small stuff...you will be fine...I have sent me Mom to Europe four times. I am not rich, just a loving daughter who feels her Mom deserves it. My other family members chip in for spending money, etc. Some time I hope to go with her...I just know that she is not going to be with me forever and I want her to enjoy herself now....(see made myself teary-eyed). Have a safe time and I hope you have many more trips. Maybe I should send Mom to Paris around the same time you are there. You could have a good time sitting in a cafe together talking about your great kids!!! Anyway have a blast!!

"Curious -- not negative -- just concerned"? Are you kidding? I think your attempt to beat up on Alma for asking the same kinds of questions that other people ask is really outrageous, and you owe her an apology. <BR> <BR>Alma, please don't feel the need to respond to people like Curious or defend your self. I would be honored to take up for you. You have a great time!

Alma: <BR> <BR>You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alma - <BR> <BR>Question - Am I correct in assuming that you will be on a guided "tour" with other people? If this is correct, most likely you will find a few people who have similar tastes. <BR> <BR>Suggestion #1 - Bring along the recipe for a few drinks that you like. I like a "side car", and have often pulled out the recipe when the bartender asks for it. Most love making something unsual, find it a challenge, and ask how it was. You can get recipes from a book or on the net. <BR> <BR>Suggestion #2 - If you are indeed concerned about taking a trip, it might be helpful to try a "practice" trip for a few days in the US, either going by yourself or with a group.

Dear CURIOUS: You are certainly one BITTER, JEALOUS, RESENTFUL, SPITEFUL, ENVIOUS, PETTY and IMMATURE person, just to name a FEW of the descriptive words that come to mind!!!

Alma, I just returned from a trip that I took my sister on for all the carring that she did for our mother. I live on the other end of the country from her and was not able to get there very often. She was very nervous and was even ready to give up after our first day when we got lost in Paris. By the end of the trip she was very excited of having seen all of the things and places that we went. So I have a feeling from your posts that by the time you return you'll be a seasoned traveller and waiting with baited breath for you next adventure. HAVE A GREAT TIME and Good Traveling. <BR>Art <BR>

I forgot to mention that my sister had never been out of the country and barely out of New England. <BR>