Mary

Abe and I will be home babysitting our 2 grandchildren, dreaming of Italy and places far away from our Southern California home. Our resolution is to become true Fodorites, and travel to the wonderful places that you all describe so beautifully. One trip to Italy down, and counting...

Paulo

We're also staying home (as usual) and together with ten or so families of friends we're organizing our own party. I'm supposed to prepare a "gourmet" dish for the occasion (we've decided to depart from the Brazilian New Year's Eve dinner tradition, and each family will be in charge of a dish, from appetizers to dessert) and I've no idea yet what it'll be I've many friends that use to travel during New Year, but once rates were so outrageous most of them will not. Apparently this may be generalized since many events here in Brazil and abroad are being cancelled and today you may find offers that are cheaper than usual ... greedy tourist businesses got exactly what they deserved ... <BR>Paulo <BR>

Lori

Here, Here. Agree with Paulo 100%.

Dianna

We will be on the road to South Padre Island, Texas where we spend two months, driving from Ohio. We will be in some motel south of Houston with our shihtzu and will probably be in bed by 9 pm. What a bummer since I own a women's boutique and can't even wear my glitzy outfit, do you think pj's are in style this year? Cheers!

lynn

Hi again - <BR> <BR>I posted earlier with no plans, but, things have changed! <BR> <BR>With all the prices dropping, we decided to take advantage of the Las Vegas Hilton for $149 per night on the 30th and 31st. We live in So. Cal. so it's an easy drive, About 4 hours from our house into town. <BR> <BR>The operator told me the same rooms were $1,500 per night with a 3 night minimum in June! I agree with Paulo, the greedy S.O.B's got what they deserved by trying to charge people 10x the norm. I just feel sorry for the people who already bought them and can't get a refund. Could you imagine having paid $4,500 for 3 nights and then to watch it drop to $450 for 3 nights? Ouch, that must hurt... Of course, most of us wouldn't have paid that in the 1st place! <BR> <BR>We don't drink and don't even gamble much but there should be some seriously good people-watching that night. We've been to Vegas on NYE in the past but I'm sure this year will be nuts. I hear they've called out the national guard to make sure things don't get out of hand. Should be interesting! <BR> <BR>Best Wishes to everyone. Here's to an upcoming year of Travel and Good Memories... <BR> <BR

alice

Will be at home in San Antonio -- well, not at MY home, but at friends' where we bring our kids if we've got'em (mine are all grown, thank goodness), turn in our car keys upon arrival, drink all we want -- wine or margaritas (or both), then champagne, play mah jongg and/or train, sip won ton soup at midnight just after shooting off a small cannon my father made about 50 years ago. This year, we will probably have a TV on to see what others are doing around the world. Saving the travel for May in Germany and Switzerland (our 40th anniversary present to ourselves). Life is good. Happy New Year to all (that's, of course, after having a Merry Christmas).

Gt

My husband will be at work from 9pm the 31st till 5 am. He's in charge of making sure the computers stay up - oh how fun ! <BR>I will be staying home to protect my two Labradors, the Chocolate Lab is scared of loud noises. <BR>I actually don't mind being home.

ginger strauss.

Hopefully, we will be at a fashionable restaurant near the Champs Elysee drinking gallons of whatever with four of our best friends. We have planned this trip since July '97 and all is in place except for the terrorist warnings!! This has given us pause to wonder if we're doing the smart thing. But the way I look at it, it's too late to turn back and besides, 10 days in Paris is worth any risk!!! (I hope!)

Teri

Ginger, Paris is worth the risk! I hope you have a great time. Me, I will be in Sheboygan, Wis., a city on Lake Michigan inbetween Green Bay and Milwaukee. We are going to a hotel party, dinner dance, and free drinks all night with 6 other couples. This is only $150/couple, can you believe it? My husband and I have a small bottle of Champagne we brought back from our trip to Paris and have been saving it for New Year's Eve. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe celebration.

Cheryl

Well it sure seems as tho no one is going to do something exotic or unordinary. I will be in the middle of nowhere (either Ciudad Rodrigo or Salamanca, Spain) camping and waiting for the world to end! By the way, those of you who plan on watching tv to see what happens at the stroke of midnite - if something happens, you won't be watching much.

topper

It's here!!!!!!! Any changes!!!!!!

judy-AR

We've been invited to a hayride/ cookout for New Year's Eve! This will be a first for me - at least in the past 30 years. We live in a small town, but the couple giving this party moved here from a large city several years ago and really know how to throw a party, so I know this won't be just any hayride. <BR>

kay

Yes, dear topper, I have had many changes in my New Year's plans. First I thought I would spend them in Salzburg, but that was in 1997 and the millennium just came up to fast to make that happen. Then I decided to time shift and have a bang up trip sometime, anytime in 2000. Then I just decided to party with my husband at a friend's house. Then, since he oversees computer stuff for his company and all of a sudden he has to work, I decided to go with a lonely girlfriend to the party and come home early. NOW I have flu and will be at home and ALSO my husband is getting it too, so we will both be home, and maybe not even awake, at the turning of the millennium. Oh well, I will do some grand time shifting and celebrate when I wake up. One has to be flexible. If I were younger, I would be in distress, but one learns as one ages to just play it as it lays.