Taggie, you've got that right!

Packing a rod? I hope it wasn't some little girlie gun that misfired all the time.

It was for sure a precious little gun. I never knew of it to misfire, unfortunately. He always carried it in his pocket, and it might have been interesting if it had misfired....

Discretion tells me not to tell this story, but those who love me know there's not a chance I won't. I remember one time I had made an appointment to see a salesman in my home one evening, and I got cold feet about it later and insisted the gallant husband be present to defend my honor.

Wouldn't you know something came up (I think the problem was that his drinking club wouldn't have a quorum if he stayed home to protect the little woman), so he gallantly offered me his pistol for my defense. I'll never forget setting there while the salesman gave his spiel, with that silly pistol in the pocket of my little red cottom wrap around skirt, ready to make him a capon if he made one move.

Insane. Just insane.

topping

2 survival tips:...remove the bed spread and do not look at it. Make sure the sheets are clean and the blankets too...PRAY! PS. the glasses in the bathroom and mini bar were probably washed in the bathroom sink by the maid (I've caught them at this internationally + US) so call room service or 911 for fresh ones! Bon Soir!!

Amy - lucky you didn't go to restaurants in Cantho, South Vietnam - grilled rat with soy cheese dressing is on the menu there.

Haven't seen much in the way of wildlife in European hotels, except for large scorpion in southern Italy - right beside light switch on wall and not revealed until light turned on.

To the posting worried about geckoes in hotel rooms, don't come to tropical Australia, or south east Asia or Pacific Islands. They're called "house geckoes" because they live inside houses and do a wonderful job at keeping down bugs. Upmarket Lizard Island Resort on Great Barrier Reef, North Queensland at $1400 a night has them. Also green tree frogs are often found inside rooms in tropical Australia. Often sitting in the toilet bowl.

Ah, Pat, that explains why my CanTho room was blessedly rodent-free!

It did have some of the most virulently patterned sheets I'd ever seen in my life, though. I kept being afraid they'd give me nightmares, but I slept like a baby.

I think by that point in my trip I had become a practicing vegetarian, but don't let me discourage anyone from going to Vietnam--it was fantastic! (And the food was really good...although I didn't try the rat or dog.)

Okay, back to Europe--I know this is the Europe forum!