How can I be jealous when I don't even know who it is I am supposed to be jealous of. I don't go to the movies and the only TV I watch is the Atlanta Braves, the Weather Channel, NCAA football, Headline News, reruns of the Andy Griffith Show (black and white episodes only), and Strip Poker.

We like to watch West Wing and Law & Order and the AZ Diamondbacks -- who is Russell Crowe? As to places "not to go," my favorite un-place is Naples, Italy.

Ok, Mine, you can have Paris for the last two weeks in October; I've got it for the month of September and the first two weeks of October. <BR> <BR>And the first week in September is mine for Venice. I plan to not read menus and be charged huge sums of money for pasta. <BR> <BR>Do you think the "I'm with Stupid-&gt;" tshirt will be ok?

Al, Russell Crowe is a NZ-born/Australian citizen who is an actor. He was in a movie this year which was a huge hit, "Gladiator". The mockups of ancient Rome in the movie were fabulous, as were the Roman army scenes. Having a degree in ancient history/archaeology, I saw few unauthentic settings. <BR>Bob, how did you guess he was a movie actor? He could have been a popstar couldn't he; if you don't go to the movies how did you know? (Sorry, I'm in a pedantic mood today!).

Well said Sondraa! You are highlighting the deficiency of this travel board, namely, that there is virtually no useful information on about 30 countries in Europe and a heap of largely repetitious stuff on the rest. <BR> <BR>Just scroll through the country listings in the search window and you will see what I mean. It reflects a total lack of imagination by the majority of people visiting this site, who, I regret to say, are 90% American. <BR> <BR>Harzer, with no apologies.

I have a question - why do people travel? To see things, to experience & understand something, or because you can? I have seen too many great spots in Europe spoilt - sadly by tourisim, but people who go only to see with no respect for local customs, traditions and leave with only a roll of film and a stomach full of McDonalds. That is not travel.

Aw shucks, Able, and here I am almost finished with my new guidebook: Arches, Golden and Fallen: a Walking Tour through the McDonalds' of Europe. Ya mean ya expect us ta eat that furrin food? <BR>

Cindy: Dibbs on the "bocce" guys,ok? Right up my alley, so to speak,,,,,but seriously, this is just too funny Sondraa,,,may I suggest "survivor" island? Do I have a guy for you....

There is a slight flaw in the logical thread asking me, "How did I know ...?" where what's his name is concerned. <BR> <BR>Where else would someone be appearing of whom I had not heard other than some TV show or the movies? I read the newspapers at least once a week, sometimes twice, at least to the extent that my 5th grade education will permit me. Although the formal education is somewhat short, one's powers of deduction need not be restricted by limited pedagogical exposure. Those pages with the little pictures are the easiest to read, of course. <BR>Glad we are getting rain in Georgia! <BR>Now the grounds crew at UGA has something to do besides water on the non restricted days. (Don't worry, the football field was sufficiently wet. Gotta keep our priorities straight.)

Gina, please send me an advance copy. It looks like the book I've been waiting for ever since I went to the shoe store to get my Fodor-recommended Ecco walking shoes (in navy, of course) and was told I needed to buy a size larger since my "feet had fallen" due to my advancing years.

Well, Harzer, I wonder why most Europeans visiting the US visit only New York, Florida, Las Vegas/Grand Canyon and San Fransico and L.A.? How come they're not going to The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Jefferson City, Missouri or jaunting over to Fargo, North Dakota? No imagination, those Europeans, I say!

First of all, when ever I see Russell Crowe at a McDonalds in Rome, he is invariably surrounded by hordes of smelly, budget tourists..... Who could want a man like that?

Sorry Elvira, you're going to have to share Paris with me for 4 days in September!!! Just stay on your own bank! :)

Thought of a solution: "look, girls, Russell Crowe is on the Right Bank!". That'll empty the Left Bank in nothing flat. <BR> <BR>

Sorry if I offended you Bob, but if you didn't know who Russell Crowe was, but knew he was in the news, he could be anything from pop star to soccer star, or do only movie stars make the news in the U.S.?

Movie stars, spree killers, and internet hoaxters are the only famous people who hit the headlines. <BR> <BR>And the latest pro ballplayer who has either smacked/killed his ex-girlfriend/wife or failed a drug test.

Elvira, let's be complete. Headlines about famous people in the U.S. ALWAYS include those caught with hookers and other tramp-like individuals. Let's see. We have Hugh Grant, Dick Morris, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Bakker, Gary Hart, Frank Gifford, Eddie Murphy, and so forth. Bob and Al, I'm sure you've heard of a few of these outstanding beacons of morality, right? <BR> <BR>Gotta go. I need to track down my husband.