Miriam

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

SharonM

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.

Wondering

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>

Robin

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>

kk

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!

Interested

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

kk

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>

Dayle

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.

Important Person

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

QueenofEngland

I'm here. Who else is there?

Wondering

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

A.M.

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.

Surlok

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

Janine

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.

old

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.

Shadow

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

outsider

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.

s.fowler

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

topper

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>

s.fowler

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.