Hello everyone, <BR>I live in Kapuskasing in northern Ontario - I was born here and still enjoy living here, it is a small town that is about 75% francophone. My husband is a lawyer but spends most of his time coaching our daughters(almost 13 and 15!) hockey teams or baseball teams. I am the director of a campus of Collège Boréal, where our specialty is mechanical harvesting training and other forestry related programs(our economy here is based on forestry) <BR> <BR>We are avid travellers, we simply love it so of course I am addicted to this forum. Just discovered it last year at this time as we were planning a family 6 week European tour...all the information we gathered was just great. So happy travelling...maybe one day you will have the opportunity to discover Northern Ontario. Louise

Hi, all, <BR> <BR>I'm 38 and living in Bethesda, Maryland. I am a commercial litigator, but I am basically a stay at home Mom these days who does a little law on the side now (from home, of course). I've lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, but I'm from Mesa, Arizona. I've vacationed to Amsterdam, Brussels, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, and Mexico. <BR> <BR>Then I had kids. Since then, it has been local beaches, and most recently, the Disney Cruise. Ahem. I'm going to Europe this fall with my extended family, and I'm really looking forward to it since my most recent Europe trip was way back in 1988. Traveling with my kids (8, 5, and 2) would just be way too frustrating, so I'm leaving them at home. <BR> <BR>See you across the pond.

I am a relative newcomer to this Forum -who did not take long to become addicted. I think some of the threads such as this are wonderful and have enjoyed reading all about you other Fodorites. <BR>I am a farmers wife and live in rural Australia - despite the huge distances involved we have been very lucky to travel overseas several times in the past few years, to both Europe, UK and America. The latest trip was to the UK last year for the Rugby World Cup. <BR>I always have a future trip in the melting pot and find that access to the Internet is making a huge difference to that - as we do not have easy access to a large local town or the travel facilties found there. This Forum alone has provided a fund of information and I particularly enjoy and value the reports and guidance from people who have experienced the various places and venues first hand. <BR>It saddens me that the tyranny of distance stops many people from visiting our country - particularly the rural areas and hope one day that it will become easirer, and we will have the chance of welcoming many more of you to our country.

Responding to Steve Dalton's post. Thanks for the url -- let me know if you want it linked to the unofficial fodor-ite page I maintain at: http://it.uwp.edu/fowler/fodor.htm

My bad.. I was answering CHRISTINE. And me a feminist:(

Denise: <BR>Thanks for asking where we are. We are all right here. Me, I'm in Colorado and look at snow covered mounains every day, ride horses and feel like I'm in England sometimes when I ride of the Highline Canal. I do get this corny image, like the UNICEF poster of everyone holding hands 'round the globe, but that's just because I grew up in the 60's. I feel like this forum has allowed me to come out as a person and that distances and differences are nothing. I love to travel and am taking my children and husband to Europe this summer. I went as a child and still have vivid memories. What a wonderful thing that we can do this every day. <BR>Teleporting back home now- Anne

Hi Everyone... I love reading about everyone, their interests in travel and where they live. As for me, I am in my late 50's, a retired former airline management type that has lived in a number of different places throughout the U.S. I now live in Las Vegas. I lost my wife, also an airline employee, about 6 years ago and began raising my then 6 year old daughter by myself. I remarried and this June will celebrate my first anniversary with my new wife, who also was widowed. My former wife and I loved to travel and since we both worked for airlines we were able to do so frequently and very economically. We often went to Europe a couple of times a year. Since my daughter was born 12 years ago our travels overseas stopped completely. Now that my daughter is 12 I have wanted to take her and my wife to Europe. Our first of hopefully many future trips will be in August when we visit London for 10 days. While I have been there several times in the past, it was over 12 years ago and I have forgotten most of it. The folks at this forum have been so helpful in steering us in the right direction with advice from hotels to tourist attractions. I have also become addicted to this forum and have offered advice to various members of my family who are taking trips themselves. I have become the unofficial travel resource for our family. Little do they know that all of you are the real experts. However, I haven't kept it all to myself. Those in our family that have computers have been directed to check "us" out. Thanks everyone, you are all incredibly knowledgeable, open and so very willing to share your experiences. <BR>Joe

Hello, <BR>I haven't responded to this last year, but since it 'resurfaced', I will do it now. My name is Melinda, and I live in Windsor Junction (greater Halifax) in Nova Scotia, Canada. I was born in 1981 in Hungary, and my family emigrated to Canada 3 and a half years ago. I visited quite a few countries in Europe, and the countries of North America, but not enough! I'm a first year university student, without part-time job, living on scholarships and student loans, so not many travel opportunities. :( I'm studying economics and languages and I want to do an exchange in my 3rd year (to Germany maybe) My dream is to be a foreign service officer in trade and economic development. I will actually have my Canadian citizenship exam on the 26th of April/00, so wish me luck! <BR> <BR>p.s. great site with lots of great people! <BR>p.s.2. I would be glad to get to know people who worked in the foreign service, who could give me some advice and information!

Where are you lives...

encore une fois...

Hello from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Am I the first from the Middle East? - and yes, I do work for an oil company. Found this forum last week upon being given extra vacation (does my boss know me or not?) I'm 47, still have the travel bug and left the green and misty shores of my native England 22 years ago to go and see the world. I must be a bit slow as there's still lots of the world to see - and some people say it's getting smaller - gee! Have travelled extensively and enjoyed it all. Next trip is home (UK) to brush up my accent and then 3 glorious weeks in Italy. Mr. Bob the Nav where's my detailed itinerary (just kidding!) Great forum, wish I'd found it ages ago. And when's the get together someone mentioned? Happy travelling.

Hello All. My husband was in the Army for a while, so in that capacity, we lived in England, Belgium and the US. Now that he's out of the Army and in civil service, we're back in England again. Not only have we traveled throughout the UK and Belgium, but we have also visited France, Holland and Germany on occasion. <BR> <BR>That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. <BR> <BR>Cheers!

To the top for Pam.

Well worth a read, long as it is.

Hello, Denise and Hello World!! <BR> <BR>I just love this Forum idea. My sister discovered it a few weeks back as we are planning a trip to New York and have had lots of help from people with many different questions. Today I thought I should have a look on the European section to see if I might be able to help anyone in a similar way and I was so pleased to click on your mammoth posting. This is what is making the internet worthwhile!! So often it wastes my time and odd people might pop up with junk mail - but now I've found where the real on-line fraternity live - and long may we!! <BR> <BR>I'm in West Sussex, England. Married with two children (10 and 13 years) a dog (light of my life) two cats, a gerbil (sons) and a pony(daughters) so life tends to be quite busy. I work part time in a local school as a classroom assistant with 4 - 5 year olds, most of the time this is great fun and very rewarding. <BR> <BR>I loved your original message, Denise. Are you a writer? You should be with that lovely imagination! I've read through a lot of the replies but I feel I may have to return several times to check a few more! <BR> <BR>Have fun people - I will visit again so keep the replies coming in!! <BR> <BR>Esme

Great post. I just found this forum a few months ago, so didn't see this post when it first came around. <BR>Hello Melinda from Nova Scota, I visited your area a few years ago and it is beautiful. <BR>I was born in Main but have lived in California for almost 30 years. I'm in my 50's and lived in Germany for 7 years a long time ago. During the time while my son was growing up we traveled in the US (hit 47 states), visited Mexico a few times and a few areas of Canada(far west and far east). I'm in the computer industry (design systems and also am a part time instructor). My son is now in Grad School at UCLA on a full fellowship(am I proud) and I'm divorced so back on the travel circuit. Visited Greece 2 years ago, Hungary and Czech Republic last year. Goint to Portugal and Spain in Sept. Probable far east next year and to the British Iles in 2 years. You people on this forum are so graat and helpful, I hope the eastern forum is as good. <BR>GREAT TRAVELS TO YOU ALL <BR>

Well why not back to the top again Denise from another Aussie! I started following this forum 6 months ago and love reading this thread everytime it resurfaces. The only problem with it now is that it's starting to take sometime to download because of it's length! My husband and I returned from our first trip to Europe in April having visited England, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. So many of our plans were with the help of this great Forum. My previous travels have consisted of Japan 7 times, Bali 3 times, Singapore, and Vanuata. Our big dilema now as with many on this site is where to next??? But hey, planning is 3/4 of the fun isn't it. Thanks again for the help - Gayle

Denise, <BR>I guess you'll beat the record in replies... <BR>this one from another European; I live in Helsinki, Finland at the moment, and before that spent one or more years in Germany, England, Argentina, France, Spain, the US (in descending order). Most of my travels were connected with getting to know my actual country of residence. I'm originally from Germany but hope to eventually settle in either France, Finland or Argentina. If ever I manage to settle...I used to work in the Air Transport industry and am now in Academics, both aren't fields where you're supposed to stay in one place for too long. <BR>I really enjoyed reading about some of the interesting characters that answered your post...have fun with putting faces to maps! <BR>

This is just for KK and because I love reading about everyone else so much. I live about 20 minutes north of Los Angeles, and work in the Entertainment Industry in Hollywood (what there is left of it, anyway). Now, that might sound very exciting but sadly, even the movie business needs number crunchers. I went to Europe at 14 to work on a film and spent over a month in the South of France and Paris. Then when my best girl-buddy and myself turned 21 we took off for a couple of seasons doing the backpacking/beer drinking/guy dating thing, (sights? What sights?).Somehow or another I ended up dating a bunch of European guys over the next few years and got to go back and forth to meet parents etc. Then I went to Australia to work as a Production Assistant on a truly horrible film... that shall remain unnamed here, for the greater good. I returned, got married, to a man 12 years younger then myself who had never been past Fresno.... (swear to God)and so I made it my mission instill in him all my love of wandering, and I believe I have succeeded admirably. We work our you-know-what's off to take a long trip once a year....(only 80 more working days 'til Greece...and counting). I adore this Forum and all the positive posters!!!! Alas, so much for my mystique. Happy, safe, magic travels to everyone!

Thyra, thank you for posting. You have an exotic background, or at least it is for someone like me who loves films! Eighty days to Greece, lucky you, and I know you will send us all a wonderful trip report on your return. Thanks again, kk in Houston TX