Dear Snidely, <BR> When you say that you dropped a turd, did it fall from your hands or from your rectum?

Dear lonesome Tom, actually the turd was dropped out of your mouth.

Mydaughter told me it's time I jointed the computer age and logged me onto her laptop, internet and Fodors. I've lost you 3 times already and think itstrange the e-mail is named after the c at, although he's avery fine cat indeed. <BR> <BR>I'm at my daughter's a Georgian town house in the centre of Chjester, a city in the NW of England. It has 3 floors, a bit tiring for my old legs. From the back window there are glimpses of the roman wall that surrounds chester. parts are original and were built by the 21st Roman legion. Past htat is the Roodee , Chesters horse racing course which was once a waterway where Roman galley's used to tie up. It's possible that the flat bottom boats built by the Romans to invade Anglesey were built in the garden here. From the front windwo I can see the roof and spires of Chester cathedral and am no more than a minute from the Rows. The area the house is built on was in medieval times the place where apprentices of the various guilds used to live and work. A wall was built around the area, I like to think to stop them ladding iton the town. The householders here still maintain the wall. In front ius a lovely little Elizabethan style black and white house, built in 1600 something - I'll jave to look now I've thought about it. Later on I may walk down to the River Dee and have a pint. For those who didn't sound happy yesterday I wish uyo could come along, it would cheer you up. Thank you. Jack

Thank you Jack, for bringing this superb thread back into adulthood. It is fascinating to sit down for a few minutes and picture everyone around the world, all of us connected by our love of European travel. I hope to go to Tuscany later this fall and right now have bunches of guidebooks on my desk. I am sitting in a minimally decorated room--mainly my desk, some shelves and a big chair and ottoman where I read. The room is focused on a glass wall facing the water--today there are boats galore, even early in the morning. I live in a town on the South Shore of Long island, about a half hour from the skyscrapers of New York. What a week it has been here, with 150 leaders of the free world, the MTV video awards and the Us Open (I'll be watching Sampras this afternoon. Loved Todd Martin, the sportsman who lost, alas.) I'm looking at the dripping grass that slopes down a bit to the dock and my pots of mums which I have just bought to liven the dying garden. The bronzes and yellows are making my remember the colors of Tuscany. I'll have a cup of coffee now and read my guidebooks and dream of Italy. I've enjoyed reading about all of you around the world.

Thank you both, Jack and Michele, for adding your lovely commentaries. Jack, you will be glad to know that people who live in houses with stairs live longer on average than those who live in one story homes. Keep lovin' those stairs. Chester and your place in it sound very inviting, in the center of all that history. Lucky you, and you made it vivid for us. <BR>And, Michele, your autumnal home near Manhattan sounds nice, too. I can see why it has you dreaming of Tuscany. <BR>Here in Houston our heat has finally gone down 20 degrees F. Thank heavens! Real fall still seems a very long way off, alas!

I'm in Providence RI. It has been a lovely late summer to make up for the cold, wet rest of summer. My house is very old by US standards, dating from the early 1800s. The garden is very small, but right now is doing well with asters and goldenrods in a border. I am near the Brown campus in an area of colonial homes. The house is small but furnished in period style, with many antiques, including the desk I am using. I have my computer on in front of the TV, watching the Emmies award show right now. I usually turn on tv while I work-that is the way I do best--several things--listening, watching, reading whatever while I scan this forum. I love hearing about people in Singapore, Brazil, Australia, Finland and everywhere else. Thank you folks, for sharing.

very nice, Jack...I'm sitting in one of the nicest places in the world,in my modest home on the eats coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.from my window ,I look out into our garden , very green and very quiet. we're just acroos the road from a waterfront park that has a nice beach where we can watch the sunset.......but we just returned from our first trip to Europe,and we are longing to return as soon as we can. Your post just reinforces our desire, for as beautiful as it is here, we fell in love with the incredible history that Europe offers.We are planning to return to spend a year or two ,and I hope we can see some of what you are able to see on a daily basis....cheers, and good health to you, Al

Greetings world! I love reading about all of you sitting at your computers in old English villages and ICU units and Saudi Arabian offices. I am in an office now--I'm a receptionist in a medical group in Cleveland and I'm on a much-needed break, thinking of things European. I can see before me dozens of people sitting anxiously reading magazines or looking at their watches. The doctors are running late, as usual. I sometimes feel so guilty telling people that they have to wait "a few more minutes." Anyway, this thread has helped me keep my cool. Keep it coming, please.

I'm in Atlanta, in one of the leafy northern suburbs that look their best in the early spring, when the dogwoods and azaleas are sensational. My house is red brick, like so many others around here, and one-story. The lawn is brown. My computer is set up in a paneled family room off a deck. I look out at the back yard. It has been a hot dry summer and I cannot wait to take a long-awaited trip to the Swiss alps in a week. The thought of it has kept us going. So has this thread, which I've followed since its inception. Thank you posters.

Just found this thread and was reading it for an hour. I'm in Vermont, in a small town with the requisite steepled church and village commons. I love it--dropped out of the New York scene five years ago, and never looked back. I am an artist and paint my landscapes from the woods and mountains surrounding me. The seasons have changed, and I'm sitting in the peak of fall, with a huge sugar maple with yellow, orange and scarlet leaves now looking silver in the moonlight. The leaves are falling, and in the day, my glass doors overlook the scene. I get away every March in mud season, for a ramble through Europe. This coming year will be Spain. Adios.

Sunny Los Angeles, California!

I am at my desk in Helsinki Finland. I love my city in the summer, with the marketplaces by the harbor and the long bright days. The days are shorter now, and I do not look forward to the cold winter ahead. The room I sit in is very stark, with birch furniture and trim, and simple lines, as you might expect. I am writing a book, and no longer travel around Europe as much as I used to. I often visit fodors forum to see what travelers have to say about a destination so that I may use some bit perhaps in future writings. I write short stories mainly, but am working on a novel. Thank you all for your input. Come visit my city.

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>I am at home in Cleveland, Ohio. Should be doing trillions of task, as I am getting married in 16 days at the Shaker Heights Courthouse. We are leaving the next day for our honeymoon in France (paris apartment) for one month. <BR>Found our apartment at Regency International Apts, but it is also listed with Just France. It is owned by Guest Services. I looked for one year for this apartment, so I can tell you a lot about the Paris apartment services. <BR> <BR>And the best part is we have a $345.00 round trip ticket to France which we bought through Best Fares.com. <BR> <BR>Wouldn't want to be wherever you guys are that post from work. You should be working. <BR> <BR>Au revoir <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>Au Revoir

This message is for you Rex. I remember <BR>you because you are the first person that responded to my first thread. This message is so far down the list that I doubt that any one will see it. I am a graduate of U S.C., but my husband doesn't like me to talk about it as he is a Cal Berkeley graduate. I hope your daughter will enjoy her experience at S.C. I am fascinated that people are writing form all over the world. I am less fascinated by the comments of their "weeds, clutter, travel posters etc". After about 50 of these messages it is not so interesting. But I will keep reading. Marilyn

Hi, Finlandia. I too am writing a novel, only I have to do it plus work for a living. I was in your lovely country 35 years ago when I was in college, spending the summer there studying Russian. My friends who've come back from Helsinki recently show me their photos that bring back lovely memories. I stayed in Jarvenpaa. I bet it's not as small as it was then. <BR>When I drink some milk tomorrow morning for breakfast, I will use the blue glass that's the last one surviving of 8 I bought at Stockmann's in Helsinki in 1965 and think of you in your lovely city and country. <BR>Good luck on your writing.

I am sitting here in a hemodialysis clinic in Southgate, Michigan. On break and using the clinics computer to research my trip to Spain in a couple of weeks. I didn't get to read every reply, but this is an interesting thread

I am sitting here in my house alone. Kids are off at the beach, movie, fair and DH is at work. At here amazed at how life just marches on. Mentally getting prepared for a tough week down at the medical center with my DH. The sun is shining and I can see the ocean from my window.

Good heavens! How did you run across THIS thread?

I'm in the family room with the drapes drawn to keep out the 105&deg; day, about 5 miles north of Scottsdale airport.

Hope the medical situation turns out well.

Hi Robes, the thread just popped up while doing a search for medical tourism. Thought it was a nice one for a slow Saturday afternoon. Stay cool and thanks for the well wishes.

Oh wow! This thread originated almost five years ago! I did a very quick glance (in reverse order) to see who's still around. Here's a partial list, starting from the bottom: Kavey, Sheila, rxxxxxx, Art (Hussey), harzer, s.fowler, Wes Fowler (poignant moment), Marilyn (is that <i>you</i>, MF?), Tony Hughes, Dan Woodlief (Hi Dan). Can't find my own response, but then it may have been under a pseudonym that I can no longer recall