Where IS everybody?
 

Bonjour! <BR>The board is so quiet. It has been a long time since I have seen posts by Elaine, Diane Woodward, Patrick, Ess, Judy, and so any others. I would like to hear from you and the many others that are so quiet. Let us know you are all okay!:) <BR>Gigi <BR> <BR>Gigi

How about Dan, Miriam, Ursula, Book Chick, Sheila, Kavey? <BR>Even St Cirq is quiet!

I don't know about anyone else but I've been occupied with watching more t.v. news then I should (and going to work of course) - somehow the questions on this forum seem less important then they did prior to Sept. 11th. I've always answered a lot of questions about London and Paris because we go every year, but it just does not seem very important at the moment. I suppose a lot of people feel that way. I am still planning our trip for next spring tho! I would think there are many folks out there worrying about the economy too (particularly their own) and wondering if they will have a job much longer.

I know what you mean ... it's too quiet around here lately. But I also know that dan woodlief has been posting about his upcoming trip to Italy; that Book Chick has had to cancel her trip to Paris; that Ursula was explaining the recent shooting rampage in Switzerland to us; and that Sheila posted a thread about how she was checking out of Fodors because everyone was being so hateful. <BR> <BR>Any other sightings?

Lori, <BR>In truth I feel that way as well. Two days before the attacks, I purchased two tickets to Paris. It was a great deal and I decided to splurge. All the enjoyment that I normally get from the planning is gone. I really don't even want to go. But, we will see what happens between now and then and decide what we shall do when the date draws nearer. <BR>I thought, however, the people on this board feel such kinship, they may keep in touch. I was/am concerned about so many people that it is reassuring to see their posts. So, to all who read this, let us know how you are doing, please? <BR>Take good care, <BR>Gigi

Unfortunately, a lot of people have decided to take a break from this board because of the mean and hateful postings that have been too common these past couple of months. Just look at what is being done to Rex's postings about his trip to Italy if you don't know what I mean. <BR> <BR>Some may never come back.

oops, sorry, didn't mean to post so soon. <BR> <BR>The shame of it all is that so many of the regulars had so much information to share with everyone. <BR> <BR>Major, major loss to Fodor's forums.

Does anyone have Kavey's proper email address? I wrote her a note but had it returned to me by my server saying it could not be located. I know she put it on one of the threads. I just wanted her to know that she has been missed. <BR>Thanks. <BR>

I will give her your message.

Kavey checked out after having been flamed for trying to lighten up the forum talk on several threads. Soon there will be nobody left but those anonymous posters who want to insult eachother. <BR>As for me I'm more concerned about my finances now. I'm not even thinking about travel.

Gigi, <BR>If at all possible go to Paris - as I said we are still planning our trip for next spring. The only thing that would keep us back is a gov. ban on overseas travel. I can understand they "glow" has gone off the planning but don't let the terrorists win by canceling your trip. About Kavey - I think some people on this forum were nasty to her fairly recently and perhaps she is just taking a break from it all. I miss her posts too tho.

Laura, <BR>Thank you! I hope she is well. <BR> <BR>Staying home, <BR>I can understand your feelings. My business relies on people spending money on rather discretionary items. I also have concerns about my income. I wish you well. <BR> <BR>Lori, <BR>If at all possible, I will be going. It may be my last one for a long time. <BR>I hope you, too, can go and enjoy yourself. <BR>Take care.:) <BR>Gigi

Gigi, Laura, Bonjour! <BR>I am here ~ new and listening to what everyone has to say.Some is not so nice but mostly the ones that are nice are very nice.I've been reading these for a few days now and have already gotten so much good info from helpful kind people.Elizabeth, you two, Ben Haines,there are so many generous people that it is easy to just dismiss the mean ones.. <BR>We made our plans for this years trip in January! and then the attacks happened, but we are leaving in a couple of weeks for Italy and expect to have a wonderful time.And now I will keep my notes to share with all the people that I am "meeting" here. <BR>Stay safe, CF

To Laura, if you can indeed get a message to Kavey, please tell her that I miss her posts too and hope she does return sometime. <BR>I always admired her spunk and enthusiasm. She seemed like such a kind soul. Please give her my fondest regards, kk in Texas

I'm still here.(not any of the above mentioned). I just use other names now because I'm too tired to reply to all the insults. I guess my ego needs a break.

I'm still here, sort of. I'm not quite in "travel mode" anymore, since my Italian vacation has ended and a new era of terror has gripped the world. <BR> <BR>It's funny. At my usual hangout (audioreview general discussion board) I'm seeing a lot of the same complaints (i.e. Where's all the regulars? What's with all these no-name flame throwers? It's not as fun here anymore!) <BR> <BR>I think that when the summer travel season of 2002 starts cranking up, we'll see plenty more interesting pure-travel threads cropping up. Things will return to normal pretty soon.

I am back, and I am here. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Hi, Rex.

I've been here -- just replying infrequently and feeling bummed that so many threads have taken a nasty turn.

I still exist, but the idea of traveling doesn't appeal to me much right now. I'm too busy circling the financial wagons.

Hi Gigi, <BR> <BR>I was in Spain the last 10 days and refrained from posting after I got nasty replies because I left a note for some of the people I know on the board. Nice that you care... <BR> <BR>Happy travels <BR> <BR>Miriam

Hello All! <BR> <BR>I'm still alive but haven't been frequenting my computer lately either... As with some of the others, I am more involved right now trying to find financial and career direction in my life, amongst other things. Unfortunately, travel is a much missed luxury I don't have right now. <BR>(Not that anyone asked, just thought I'd check in anyway...) <BR> <BR>I hope everyone's doing well.

Sharon, <BR>Actually, I was thinking about you. In light of all this, I am sure it must be difficult. Glad you checked in! <BR>

Just a quick post to agree with others: I'm finding it hard to have the same enthusiasm for travel, although I certainly am not giving up. But since I don't have anything currently on the calendar, given current events, I don't feel so "woohoo" these days. <BR>

Hey, here is a thought. Since Sharon's is about the fifth comment I've read in one or two days about trying to financially regroup, this fallout from 9/11 must be hitting hard at lots of people. <BR>I for one would be happy to reach out and give encouragement and a fond travel fantasy to anyone who has too much to handle these days. I know it's not much to offer, but it's lots better than snarky putdowns!

KK, <BR>What do you mean? I'm interested.

Dear interested, <BR>I guess I just meant something as simple as, well, starting a thread that said...feeling bummed out after 9/11 due to various problems/worries, etc., then check in here. <BR>I'll probably do that tomorrow when I will be back at the computer.... <BR>

Hi Everyone! I don't have much to say these days since it will be a while before I can start planning another trip. On the positive side, the reason is I bought a new home in Park City, Utah last year. So now I'm a poverty-stricken home owner. The landscaping is halfway done though! <BR> <BR>I have been a regular reader & sometimes contributor to the board for several years, but I, too, have been turned off by the nasty posters. It seems these people have no other way to express their feelings (sad, isn't it?) and desperately need attention of ANY kind. I suggest we just consider them thread terrorists who want to destroy something that is usually very friendly and helpful. Just ignore them totally and they will have to go find another place to get their ya yas.

I don't know about you, but I am here. What else could matter.

I'm here. Who else is there?

I haven't heard from Surlock since 9/11. Anybody knows where she is? Hey, Surlock! How are things in Brazil?

On 9/11/01 we left Florida to go to Montreal for a family medical emergency, our connections were through ATL and LGA, made it as far as Atlanta before the tragedy and was stuck there for 3 days before finally getting the 2nd flight into Montreal. Watched the terrible events unfold in the ATL. airport with other shocked passengers and crew. I have been numb ever since. Returned home yesterday. I was impressed by the empathy expressed by my fellow Canadians while up there. I would not go to Europe at this time and I hope those that do, return safely. <BR>A.M.

Wondering, <BR> <BR>Thanks for asking. I'm still here, posting whenever I feel that I have some useful info to share. And Brazil is fine, although the Dollar rate against our currency, the Real, increased enourmously in the last three weeks. Go figure, this is Brazil, so, if the American Fodorites feel like visiting, this is a great time, money wise.;-) <BR> <BR>I posted-- a long post-- on a thread where many foreigners were giving their support to our American friends, and I was bashed ( once more). Fodor's editor deleted the thread shortly after that. <BR> <BR>Hence, I've contributed less, and more discreetly for the last two weeks. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>Surlok

It's understandable that many people have lost interest in travel for now. But the above responses confirm something more disturbing that I suspected may have driven some people away from the forum. That is, the increased level of flaming and attack that has been apparent here lately. <BR> <BR>Eventually, I think many of us will regain our interest in travelling (each in their own time). The other issue however, could drive people away for good. Surely at a time like this we could all try to get along and not turn against each other for having different points of view. <BR> <BR>I am still here, still looking forward to my (postponed) trip to Europe, because I enjoy the sense of community. However, I don't know for how much longer if things continue the way they have been.

I've been visiting this site for over three years, and the one thing that I can tell you is that everything occurs in cycles. Same cycles, same types of posts. This happens to be the cycle in which everyone complains that the forum is horrible with all these uninvited newcomers and anonymous flamers, everyone's leaving, let's have registration, poor us, etc. etc. <BR> <BR>It will pass into another cycle, like it always has. Ever wonder why Fodor's "seems" to do nothing in the face of the supposed site crises everyone is screeching about? They've seen and heard it all before, and they will again, and they know it. Every time they make a change demanded by incensed visitors, the other visitors scream bloody murder over it, so they now know just to relax, let it flow, and it too, will pass. <BR> <BR>Relax, and try counting your blessings. A little travel web site is not very significant in the grand scheme of things.

I am here-I am not posting under my real name anymore for personal reasons. <BR>(I will give this hint though-my husband and I traveled this summer with our friends :) <BR>I have been reading more than responding-I am pretty thin skinned and don't appreciate being flamed. I also don't care for the trash talk and put downs. But, I throughly enjoy information about travel and I especially love trip reports!!! <BR>I don't have any european trips planned right now-my next trip is to the Olympics! <BR>Shadow

September 11th, the flaming, the non travel talk the clubby talk of a handful or more regulars contributes to the decline of this once wonderful site.

I am posting when I can help answer a specific question. Otherwise I have been discouraged by the nastiness AND the heavy-handed censorship.

And yet you decry the censorship of the nastiness? and offer to circulate a copy of it to anyone who wants one? <BR> <BR>I guess you would help Al Qaeda too in maintaining routes of communication. <BR>

Well at least I do what I do here under my own name and email. <BR> <BR>In fact Hanky's "stuff" was incredibly brilliant, if a bit tasteless. It was worth preserving. <BR> <BR>I am referring to the nastinesses that has driven some valued memembers from this forum. An *no* -- it hasn't been just those "insiders" that anonymous folks rail against.