s

Michelle: <BR>Are you still here? I'm not an Aramcon, but an Aramco brat. My father went over in 1950, retired in 1968; I was 13. I was born in Dhahran but spent most of my time there in Abqaiq. Two things I remember most and miss terribly: the *incredibly* soft night air, and the refinery fires burning in the distance. Oh yeah, and Beirut when it was more (beautifully) commercial than political. My father gave me his wanderlust, which took me -- via various schools and the military -- to Europe and the Far East. Now I sit in east Tennessee and save my pennies until they take me back to where I consider home -- western Europe. Someday, though, maybe I'll try for a return to SA. <BR> <BR>Thanks Denise for this thread!! <BR> <BR>s

donna

Hi all- I found it very interesting to find out about everyone too! I am an art teacher (yes, I get the summers "off") oustide of Boston. I grew up in NYC and took my best friend to Paris for our 21st birthday- this year I turned 40 and my husband and I are going back to Europe for the 2nd time this summer. As my husband's business grows, so does our ability to travel. Right now, we plan every other year for Europe --then Canada (Montreal is a great city) and New England and Florida (family obligations) on the alternate years. I hope to get around to some of the other places you all talk about! I love being in the different places and meeting people, but I am pretty sensitive and find long airplane flights and car drives and the change in water and food really can take a toll on me. But the giant Rembrandts in Amsterdam and the Kroller-Mueller Museum got my non-artist husband to LOVE art museums- so we're going!!!!!! Thanks to all the people who help with questions on this forum. dbl

Jeanette

Hello Denise, What a group these wonderful travelers are! I have not traveled much outside of the United States, but will be going off to Italy again next March (Milan / Riveria to Nice.) Last time I went off to Southern Italy and went up the Amalfi Coast, which was beyond words. I'm born and bred in Chicago, Illinois which puts me in the center of things here in the U.S. and have seen much more of my own <BR>country in recent years. I am in my lower 50's and have never enjoyed traveling as much as I do now. My mate is a skier and loves the "West" and the mountains. Will get him to try the Alps out soon, if his knees can take it. I'm in Academia and have a large family of children and grandchildren (already with more coming)and the travel gene has passed on for sure. Hope we meet on a trip. Haven't seen Venice yet, everyone here makes it sound a must. Have seen Berlin and much of Germany and loved it. Happy travels to all. <BR>

Audrey

OK - I may as well hop on this giant thread, too! <BR> <BR>I live in Arizona - I have been reading this forum for about a year and a half. I can honestly say that I have learned a ton from you guys. I hope that someday I will be well travelled enough to give advice instead of always asking for it!! <BR> <BR>Audrey

Alisa

I have been reading Fodor's for a year now and somehow missed this thread. What fun! Although I do not get the chance to travel frequently, I love living vicariously through all of you. <BR> <BR>I love in Los Angeles and am a psychiatry resident at UCLA (actually just started residency today!). I love to travel--to visit museums, to sit in lovely cafes, to meet wonderful interesting people. <BR> <BR>A few years ago I traveled through Italy. Beautiful sights, greats museums and truly wonderful people. <BR>I never wanted to leave--particularly the Amalfi coast. Stolling through Venice, seeing the David, learning about the history of Rome. I want to go back! That was when the travel bug really caught me. <BR> <BR>Last month I traveled to London for a week--what a great time. The theater, the museums--thank you to Ben Haines and all of the rest of you who helped me plan my vacation. <BR> <BR>It has been great reading about all of you. <BR> <BR>

Michelle

Hello S: Yes, I still read this thread as I love to the feeling of everyone coming together from all points of the globe. To answer you - yes,the evenings are still as beautiful here in Dhahran. Isn't it nice to know some things don't change? E-mail me if you want to reminisce. And Denise - thanks again for getting this going.

topper

hi you!

karin/kalena

Hello to you all! What a marveous thread; this has to be some kind of record! I thought I had posted here, but actually posted on the "resume" thread, another fascinating and friendly one. <BR> <BR>I live in Honolulu now and post often in the USA site. I am kamaaina and fairly assimilated to the American Way, having spent my high school years in the mid-west, although I was born in Finland. In later childhood, my parents' work took me to South America, where I lived until the age of twelve. I was lucky to see South America in the fifties, during quieter and safer days for travelers. Sabbaticals were always spent in Europe. I'm still somewhat torn; I love Hawaii for its natural beauty and Europe for its antiquity. In order to compensate for travel costs to Europe from Hawaii, and to keep experiencing the best of both worlds, we have become home exchangers. Funny, people seem to want to come to Hawaii! I recommend home exchanging as a way to travel within budget, but more significantly, as a way to experience how people live in different cultures and regions. We have made wonderful friendships in the course of home exchanging. Thanks, fodorite friends, for the posts above, and happy travels. Aloha, <BR>k <BR>

tothetop

to the top

sandi

Hi there...Thanks to whomever brought this thread back to life. <BR> <BR>I'm 37 and live in Dallas TX....native Texan. I was a very late bloomer when it came to travelling abroad. My first trip was last Oct. to Italy and Prague. We're planning another trip this Oct and several of you have already helped me on that one. I work as a Network Design Eng. for Sprint. My husband has been to Europe several times and even travelled to mainland China to play at a beer festival...My 12 yr old son will be taking his first trip abroad with us. I've got the travel bug now and hope to travel at least once a year. Hoping to see my brother in Tokyo next year and then maybe an Afican safari the year following (the big 40). I love reading this forum and have done so religiously for over a year. I've had many laughs with you guys!! Looking forward to posting the results from our upcoming trip.

Kristin

What an awesome thread! I still havent gotten finished looking over it. Well, I live in London at the moment, as a college student studying abroad. I've been here for 6months now,and I'm loving it!! When I was 17, I took a trip with my family to Australia, at 18, I really had the travel bug, and went to France (Paris) with two of my girl-friends. Later that year, I went to Seville, Spain for a month. Since then, I've sworn to myself that I'll have at least 2/3 vacations a year (as money allows). Living in england has been so rewarding. I hope to study abroad in Italy in my Junior year of college next year. <BR> <BR>Thanks again for everyone's travel help!

anniel

I just cannot resist this thread. hello Denise. I now live in London but am a Liverpudlian whose parents emigrated to South Australia after the war. After working as a teacher in Victoria I then went to Northern territory and later to Papua New Guinea where my husband David and I worked for the Australian Govt. When independence came we thought we would try coming back to UK for a few years and we never went back to Australia except to visit family and friends. <BR>We now travel extensively in Europe and have been to most countries. We especially like cruising and if there is one country I could choose for my hols. it would be Italy. The scenery, the cities, the food and the people make it the most wonderful country in Europe. I am completely addicted to this site and always hope I can help, but I find the Fodorites are the most clued up travellers I have ever come across and I learn something every day. <BR>I have enjoyed reading about the places we all live in.Makes it feel like we are all family.

laila

This is a great thread! I haven't been here in a few days and just saw it! <BR> <BR>I am a non-practicing physician in my late 20s in southern california. I grew up traveling during the summers with my family occasionally - Europe, Canada, US. When I was 19 I went on a study abroad to Israel for four months and ever since then I definitely have a travel bug!! My last trip was to France, Italy, Germany, and Poland with my sister. My fiance and I are going to Paris on our honeymoon this October - he's never been out of the country (except for Mexico) so I'm really really crossing my fingers that he'll love it like I do!

Winnie

Hello Denise, <BR> <BR>What an exciting thread...I've read 1/3 of it and will find time later to read the rest. I'm from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and I have used this forums many times to help plan my holidays abroad. I have also contributed a couple of times as a gesture of appreciation to those who have spent time answering my questions.

Jo

I am a retired 66 year old lady who loves to travel, and do my own planning which I think is half the fun. I live in San Diego, Ca. My husband died four years ago, but I am still doing the same things we did together. I rent houses or apartments for a week at a time, and use them as a base for touring the different areas. Also rent a car. Last year, I rented a villa in Venice, and a penthouse in Viareggio with a view of the sea. Have also rented homes in France, and am currently in the process of finding an apartment in Paris for the end of October. Usually spend a month in France, Italy, Spain or Portugal. <BR> <BR>It has been very enjoyable to read the replys and comments from people all over the world. Amazing. Thanks for all the information you all contribute. <BR>

Stacey

Anyone else from the World's Most Famous Beach - Daytona?

ann

hi there, <BR> <BR>i contribute occasionly... am belgian and living near brussels... travelling a lot all over europe, but also to usa & canada ! <BR>

Globetrotter

How about this one? <BR> <BR>In the last 12 months I have travelled on Business our of the UK to the following destinations: <BR> <BR> <BR>Hong Kong, Singapore, Perth, Sydney, Perth, Baku, Moscow, Nice, New York, Houston, Dallas, Caracas and Rio. <BR> <BR>How many frequent flyer miles do you think I have earned so far (with 2 airlines)? <BR> <BR> <BR>

kk

Ok, dear Globetrotter, don't keep us in suspense. How many FF points did you earn with all that travel?

Joan Doyle

Hi Denise: You really started something awesome here.I'm a 78-year old retired military historian (not many females in my line of work but it has taken me some interesting places. Now I live in south Louisiana in the pretty house amid the trees that I built when I decided I was tired of cold winters and came back down here for what I call my "third tour." I spend a lot of time walking my miniature (really medium-size) black poodle and going to various services at our local Benedictine abbey. Until cancer surgery slowed me down two years ago I was also an active volunteer at our local hospital. I have to agree with all the other posters--I love this thread. And I find the contributors to the site are delightful. I look forward to reading more from all of you. Joan