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

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

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>

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

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>

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.

hi you!

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>

to the top

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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>

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

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>

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>

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

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

Hello folks. I keep popping in and out of this thread each tim e Fodors tells me there is a reply. After 19 months it's great to see it is still going. <BR>Thank you all for telling about yourselves and your travels. I am taking off in 6 weeks for Paris, Normandy Brittany and Dordogne then onto Loire to an old farm being renovated by my cousin. Hopefully when I return in October, I will be able to contribute something on the country. We are driving everywhere and I am luckily going with Americans who live in France 6 months of the year love the country and know how to see the place without being "touristy". regards Denise

Up we go.

I think this is my single favorite thread, closely competing with the "great book" list! I'm so glad Denise still checks in to see what she hath wrought! <BR> <BR>I thought I had put in my little story before, but I guess not. I'm in San Clemente, CA, southern Orange County, and I'm a recent arrrival to these pages. I LOVE it! There is no activity in the world I love so much as to travel, and it's a joy to find so many others who feel the same. I work as a financial advisor, and my bias toward travel causes me to put a distinct slant on the budgeting advice I give clients! I tend to favor European travel (I've been seven times, mostly single country trips), but there are so many other wonderful places beckoning. Luckily I recently married a man who is as footloose as I am, so we will be on the road together. <BR> <BR>Thanks to all for past advice, and for help on the many questions I will continue to ask!

Without a doubt, this is the classiest and most interesting European travel forum in internet-land. Most of the others are full of name calling and questions about getting laid in Barcelona. Sounds like my last family reunion... <BR> <BR>Anyway, I live near Boulder, Colorado. My wife and I love traveling, Boston Terriers, and dancing (especially West Coast Swing, which won't mean anything unless you're a dancer). I'm also an avid amatuer scenic photographer and a history enthusiast (which is why I love traveling in Europe). <BR> <BR>Professionally, I've bounced around somewhat pursuing work that interested me. By education, I'm a planetary physicist, which is a multidisciplinary field that combines physics, astronomy and geology. After receiving my Ph.D., I became interested in earthquakes and spent some time with the US Geological Survey and a year as a visiting scholar at the University of Tokyo. <BR> <BR>I now work for the National Center for Atmospheric Research developing radar-based turbulence warning systems. Our field program is in Juneau, Alaska, so I travel there several times a year.

Maine. They call it vacationland. A great state indeed, but everyone needs to get away from home now and then!

I am a 30 year old single American born to Brasilian parents and raised in the country of New Jersey (small joke). I have a B.A. in Economics and Business from Lafayette College, graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover MA, and I am a Sigma Chi. I am currently the financial controller for the Eastern Eur/Med Rgn of a healthcare company and have been living in the quiet village of Unterägeri, Switzerland for the last 5 months. Prior to this I was living between Budapest and Prague for two years where I was turned on to this site by Helena Stolka (see above-I miss her now that she's back in the U.S.) Prior to that, I was an international auditor (all with the same company) so I have been fortunate to have seen much of Europe and other parts of the world fully or partially subsidized by business travel. I work a decent amount but periodically use the forum to remind me of why I wanted a life exploring countires other than my own. I enjoy most of the postings (not some of the personal attacks) and enjoy the attitudes of many of the people here on life, love and traveling. Happy travels.

Hi ... <BR> <BR>Great thread .... <BR> <BR>I live in Southampton, England. Just finished a year working in the Netherlands, flying 3 times a week between Southampton & Amsterdam ... aren't airport lounges beautiful !!! <BR> <BR>This forum was great when I was planning my honeymoon to California recently .... which was great by the way ... (will eventually get round to putting a trip report up) <BR> <BR>Try & help people who ask questions on this forum .... so if your in need of help about England ... do e-mail me. <BR> <BR>Mark <BR> <BR>Oh yeh ... I'm 32, married, no children ... & there won't be any until we've been to Australia in 2 years time (just in case my mum read's this !!!) ... by the way ... has anyone else had the same experience as me ... 2 minutes after your married, your mum is asking when is she going to see some granchildren !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <BR> <BR>Great forum .... <BR> <BR>Mark

up!

Hi all. As someone in this thread has already mentioned, this is the classiest travel forum on the internet. No name calling or questions about where to "pick up" in whatever city. <BR> <BR>We have just moved from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to a very small town in northern Alberta called Cold Lake. Having just returned from Scotland I love to check that forum and throw in my 2 cents. Next trip is Wales and soutwest England, maybe in 2002.

Hi there. Can't believe it's been almost 2 years since the original posting of Denise's question!! Anyway, I'm glad for it. <BR> <BR>I am a daily reader of the postings and enjoy them immensely. I am a 30-year-old book editor in New York City, married to a 33-year-old independent filmmaker. I've traveled throughout the United States, and Bermuda during my childhood in New Jersey, and have also lived in Boston while attending graduate school at Boston University. I can also add the Bahamas to my list, as I got married there last year (still feeling like a newlywed!) I just visited Paris for the first time in March as a "thank you" present from my husband for being patient while he's been away working on a film. We hope to return in June 2001, as now I am totally addicted to Paris. I can't get enough of it, and read up on everything relating to Paris. <BR> <BR>It's very nice to meet all of you and thanks to Fodors for such a great site.

topsy

up up an away

Jessycat... Eugene, Oregon. We could all post our photos and start a dating service. What do you think??? Jcat

Rotting away here in state prison. Tax dollars have allowed the purchase of a computer and internet access for the inmates' library. We're allowed to use it for 15 minutes a month. I'm using my precious minutes to read about places I won't be able to see till after my 67 year term is up in 2061, and by that time I'll be decrepit and who knows if there'll be a Europe.

How interesting the original post and responses were pleasant people and polite. It appears now sarcasm is the mode of the day. Not for all ,but the few can spoil it for all, giving a bad taste. This is not intended to start a vitriolic repartee. just noted

My my aren't we touchy. I'm just so happy to be here on my rocker in this lovely assisted living facility using this wondering Iopener gizmo that my dear grandson gave me. I just can't wait to go to Galway next June with my boyfriend form down the hall.

Hello<BR>Back to genuine postings.<BR>I'm from Yorkshire and now live in Cambridge, England.<BR>I started reading Fodors for information on the Caribbean. We are planning to get married there this year.<BR>Don't be put off coming to the British Isles this year. Most of what you want to see is open and completely safe. I think there's been a lot of mi-information going out to the US about the situation here.<BR>Keep on travelling!!<BR>Kathleen.

Boy, this one just keeps going. I saw my own posting, which was among the first in this thread over two years ago and thought I should update it. I still live in Durham, North Carolina and work in Burlington. I am in my upper, not mid-thirties now. I am now Marketing Research Manager at my company and may start looking for something closer to home before too long. We did have our child, Claire, who is now two years and two weeks old (and more than two adults). She is a darling child and about as full of energy as any one person can be. My wife just started a new job as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service. I am still heavily into photography, although I have found myself mostly taking pictures of my family except when I am traveling. Lately though the photo bug is biting big time again. I have put together two travel photography Web sites over the past year and am still working hard at finishing them - www.oneeyed.homestead.com and www.tarheelphotos.homestead.com. The travel has continued but has changed since our daughter was born. I have been traveling in the U.S. since then. Our little girl seems to enjoy traveling so far, and I am trying to teach her to speak a little French (if you want her to sit still, just pop in her Muzzy tapes, and she is hynotized). We spent three weeks last year taking her to the beach and on a Civil War battlefield trip (glad she liked sleeping in the car on that second one). The wife and I are thinking hard about finally getting to Italy this year. I think it will happen. The trouble is narrowing down the choices - so many places, so little time, but I know I will get back. Anybody else have any updates?

This thread came up in a (completely unrelated) search, and since in a casual scan it seems I'm the first from my location I thought I'd better jump in! <BR> <BR>I'm an American currently living in Shanghai, China.

What a wonderful thread! I've only been coming to this forum for about 3 months, but it rapidly became a daily habit for me. Love it. <BR>I'm retired U.S. Air Force, widowed, living in Las Vegas, and loving it. I was born in western NY, but since adulthood have lived in Texas, Colorado, Arizona, central New York, Florida, and, of course, Nevada in the U.S. and in Japan, twice in England, Belgium, and Italy. One of the reasons I stayed so long in the Air Force (26+ years) is that it gave me the opportunity to travel--my one passion. I've seen 46 of the States, most of western Europe (except for Scandinavia and Spain/Portugal), and Japan. My real passion is western Europe and I will be going to Spain in November. Unfortunately, retirement has severely curtailed my available funds, so most of my traveling will be here in the U.S. for the forseeable future (Death Valley next month). But, I hope to rectify that soon--I start school in June (going back to school again in my 50s?!?) to train for the travel industry. Any other Las Vegans like to get together?