Thanks Barb and all the others who chimed in with their stories as well. This has been a wonderful thread. To those who felt Barb was mean spirited about her "friends", reread her final entry. I'd say she provides a very sympathetic assessment of the various characters. This has been fun. Thanks so much.

I'm but an echo, Barb. Your exposé, as I like to think of it, was priceless.

Heed the advice to package this baby up and sell it--some limoncello must come from this lemon of a trip!

Best regards,
Robyn

Barb, I'm so glad you were able to salvage a little fun out of the trip with NHF, and how lovely that he called just before you boarded the plane so you had something nice to think about all the way home! I agree with others, this has been like a book you're reading that you don't want to end.

Hope we'll be in Italy at the same time again and can have that dinner!

Ah, the NHF called as she was about to board the plane. I see the movie ending with Barb deciding whether to board the plane or return to Sorrento. Then we could have a sequel.

Thanks Barb for posting your trip report.

Bravissimo... standing ovation. :D

I am so appreciative of all your kind comments about my little saga. I really questioned continuing with it at one point - I guess I was too sensitive to some of the critics - but it was good for me to get it down on paper. Actually, it made me realize that there really were some pretty funny moments and although they didn't erase the bad moments, they made it possible for me to get through it and not go completely mental.

I would love to respond to each and every one of you, but I don't know where to start. Your kind words mean so much, especially coming from some of you seasoned Fodorites who I look to for advice each and every trip I make. Without Fodors, I would not be doing what I do that's for sure. And, Artlover, your kind gesture has me speechless. And yes, I am planning my next trip, I was planning it on the plane coming home! And it will be solo, maybe spending some time with Seaurchin for a few days, but I will have my own place and my own itinerary. I'm debating about Rome/Sicily, or Rome/Ischia or Rome/Greece, or Rome/Croatia. Do you see a theme here? Can you tell I love Rome?

There might be a little sequel, J called me and the Divas want to get together for a post-trip dinner - oh joy.

Re: photos - I would never do that for privacy reasons, although I would just love you to see Eiffel in one of her get ups.

Any future trips/reports will probably be dull in comparison but maybe rich in other ways - and now that I've "got the groove back" you just never know....

Barb
The journey has been so entertaining for me - your writing style is wonderful. I just wanted to express my thanks. For me this is the most memorable Fodor post - may it resurface regularly.

I truly enjoyed reading your trip report. Wonderful!

Barb, I have *so* enjoyed reading your trip report. Thank you for posting it. You have a lovely writing style and sense of humour. I do hope that you look into publishing your tale in print or writing a screenplay. Back to the Asia forum for me. I leave for Tokyo and Bangkok on Sunday.

Barb, reading your too funny account makes me seriously question a friend's and my current plan to take a group of 6 of our gal pals on a a weeklong shopping and sightseeing excursion in Paris next December! Maybe we should invite "J" as she already has the outfits!!!

<i>From Barb: &quot;I really questioned continuing with it at one point - I guess I was too sensitive to some of the critics - but it was good for me to get it down on paper.&quot;</i>

All talented people need to learn what to do with criticism, even if you never considered yourself an artist until you wrote this report. Acquiring a thick skin is necessary to survive in show business because the financial stakes are often so high and the egos fragile and enormous.

Professional actors, painters, photographers, and writers deal with the ugly side of criticism everyday, as do many others. Eventually, some learn to ignore it. Staying focused is the key to self-discovery.

There was a time, back in my very young days, when certain criticism devastated me; you know, the evil kind - the type of criticism that came from a dark, nasty place, typically from a very unhappy, or disturbed person with lots of issues and baggage. I learned through therapy (around the age of 28) to deal with these hateful types, who were determined to see me fail and self-destruct.

What doesn't kill you <b>will</b> make you stronger. And with <b>strength</b>, <b>focus</b> and <b>perseverance</b>, you can conquer anybody and be free to reach every creative goal.

Of course, constructive criticism can be extremely helpful. You just have to know whom to trust and where to go to get it.

Initially, I wasn't going to post to this thread until you finished your report. When I felt the anguish in your words, allowing the critics to penetrate, I decided to speak up and give you support. No artist, especially an aspiring one, should EVER cave-in to their critics. God gave you a gift and your responsibility is to see that it lives and is shared.

Thank you for finishing and congratulations!

A toast to you Barb: here's to many years of fondly looking back on this trip with your friends, the divas, as you all see it with the ever-increasing humor of time; and to remembering this as the trip where you got your groove back.

I posted this on the Charles and Camilla board by accident for I was in a romantic frenzy this morning.
It should be here.

They can adopt Loveitaly.
I think it is neat that Barb has a new boyfriend - he must be so handsome and romantic. My boyfriend is back in the picture so I know how sweet it can be. When are you seeing him again? Love is in the air I can breathe it - sniff sniff.

Barb, Well this coupon is only good for US and Canadian travel up through Jan. 31 (and must be booked by Nov. 30), so if you can use it, e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll pass on the code to you. If not, I'll pass it on to some other Fodorite.

It's good for two travelling together, so seaurchin could use it with you.

Thanks again for your hilarious and delightful tale.

I agree with Kavey's recent post- my thoughts exactly.

I also vote for Oliver Martinez for the NHF. If he is cast, I vote for ME to play Barb in the movie. My asking price is a lot less than these other actresses. Heck, I'd play Oliver Martinez's love interest for free! :D

This report has its amusing moments, however, I get a distinct impression that while Barb may be a savvy traveler she is not a particularly nice person nor a good friend and may not be such a lovely travel companion as many seem to think. She says her friend &quot;thinks she has a headache&quot; and keeps offering Ambien to shut her friends up. Funny but nasty.

I can't believe how good Barb and her supporters are at shutting up people who have a different take on the story. I was very surprised that some posters would try to denigrate the opinions of others by pointing that English is not their first language as the reason they are &quot;not getting the humour&quot;.

Barb,
I decided that I must go to Italy some time. Great story. Can't wait till it comes to the big screen

thank you, Barb, for a very entertaining afternoon read. I enjoyed every bit of it.

Barb, thanks. I was lucky enough to 'stumble' across your story from the start and have enjoyed very much. And the interesting thing is from when it started to now, we have decided to make Rome our final city to see on our 'Race Around the World' starting in Dec.

So now I will have to re-read this post for actual Travel info on Rome.

Should we spend a week in Rome or Hire a car and go 'exploring'?
MMM so many decisions. Thanks for making me 'see' the wonder of Rome.

560 responses,WOW!, but will the movie ever be as good as the book?