elvira

I've met absolutely fantastic people through this forum, connecting in Paris, London, and even Art's house. I like these people, but don't know them well enough to risk traveling with them...not because they'll be somehow awful, but because the friendship is too new to risk. If (let's say "when") my sister does something to annoy me (or I, her - not that *that* would ever happen), we shrug it off or get cranky with each other - after this many years on earth together, we're used to it. A new friendship might not handle that, and completely break down - so now I'm having a lousy trip AND I've lost a friend. <BR><BR>I'd rather meet for drinks or dinner, or plan a daytrip together, and keep the budding friendship intact.<BR><BR>Anyway, no one other than the Loons needs to experience my obsessive-compulsive breakdown on day 3 of a trip "dammit dammit DAMMIT!!! where's the damn itinerary??? who took it??!!" and then the subsequent hosing down...<BR><BR><BR>

scarlett

elvira,there are some thing in this world that I just want to experience.<BR>1-travel with you<BR>2-watching that breakdown<BR>3-remaining friends after the hosing down~

RnR

Interesting thoughts. And Kavey, thanks a million. And do you still keep those fabulous pictures up, Mombo. Perhaps we'll chat again sometime. Have a good day.

hope

Scarlett: I hope you are joking, because that is weird or you are very lonely.

scarlett

hope-<BR>don't worry about it.I am fine.

Therese

Yes, I would, though only after considerable vetting.<BR><BR>I've already done much more dangerous sorts of things, namely staying with very nearly complete strangers in Europe in the course of a student exchange and stint as an au pair. Some of the best experiences of my life.

kavey

RnR<BR>You're welcome and I never did see your Africa pictures did I?<BR><BR>Elvira<BR>I understand exactly, which is why the meetings I have had with budding friends (yourself included) have been shorter durations over meals etc. And a pleasure it was to meet you too! My neice is still infatuated!!

Tom

No, I would never travel with strangers. I don't have too. I'm married and we love to travel. Most of our trips are just the 2 of us but occasionally we go with friends or family.<BR><BR>If I were single and didn't have someone to share my travels with then I guess I would consider it.

RnR

No, Kavey, never posted, and not as good as yours, believe me. Trying again.<BR><BR>Here's another vote for Scarlett as a great poster, not that she needs it.<BR><BR>

Lily

Scarlett, I'm with you. I'd love to travel with Elvira. Elvira, I'm sure many of us wish you'd be our trip leader.

Lolita New

I've said it once, and dammit, I'm going to say it again: Scarlett would be an absolute hoot to travel with, and I've never laid eyes on the lady. My momma always said, Lo, you don't have much, but with that name, you gotta shoot for the stars.

Lo Fan

Go Lo

sam

I've done it. I started emailing with a woman I met here. We chatted online for a couple of months, and then as part of a smaller group. Last spring, we traveled to England together for 6 days. I drove, she navigated and we had a great time. We even met up with another poster on this very thread!

Thyra

While I would never take a trip with a person I met on this or any other message board. Through posting on the African board it came to pass that myself and another poster just happened to be going on the exact same safari, with the same company, on the same dates (go figure.) Myself, my husband she and her friend, all met in Nairobi, and really enjoyed ourselves. It was fun to email someone in advance who was going through much the same process as myself (shots, how much money etc?). Again, I would have no problem meeting up with people for lunch, or whatever and have done so here in Los Angeles. But I wouldn't find a travel companion/i.e. share a room, person from a message board.

Rex

Previous comments from/about Art and Thyra on traveling with internet acquaintances.<BR><BR>Author: Rex ([email protected])<BR>Date: 03/28/2001, 02:32 pm<BR><BR>Message: Art Hussey is a stalwart on this board, and yes, he mis-spells some wurds - - whut of it? <BR><BR>He just gave a brief report of his (second) Southern California Fodorites' get-together - - perhaps the largest ever, at about 20 people. I'm sure this can provide you with some physical descriptions. Regrettably, I was not able to attend (from Ohio) - - though Tony and Emily (from Scotland) did. <BR><BR>He has mentioned a September trip to Poland, Romania and Slovakia (search "vlads castle") - - and I have tried, with no success to get some additional interest in other Fodorites' joining in. <BR><BR>----------------------------------------<BR><BR>Author: Art ([email protected])<BR>Date: 03/28/2001, 04:41 pm<BR><BR>Message: To whom it may concern. Yes I am an Atrocious speller. On the other hand I've designed computer databases that have been running for 10 or more years and in one case for 16 years. I'm not 6'5", I'm only 6'4". I learned to type very fast when younger and do have occasional typos as I'm trying to keep up with my thoughts. I still don't know the point of your post other then to attack me. If this is true, then you are no better than the other cowardly and anonymous postors that have attacked other posters in the past.<BR><BR>----------------------------------------<BR> <BR>Author: Thyra ([email protected])<BR>Date: 03/28/2001, 05:06 pm<BR><BR>Message: Fight on Art!!!We support you!!! I guess nnn is trying to systematically destroy this board... fly away little troll and move back to Lonely Planet please. <BR>BTW Art, thanks for hosting a very nice Fodorite Party this past weekend. It was very gracious of you to open your home and invite us. <BR>

Ann

Hell yes, if he was handsome enough and from Italy !!!

XXX

There are some crazy DEAF FLORIDIANS WHO GO AROUND SHOUTING ALL THE TIME who would like to "hook up" with some strangers!<BR>

badenglish

<BR>i would travel with a stranger <BR>i wouldnt have to email with this person too much a couple of months would be enough, a few phone calls, and one meeting in public and it'd be settled <BR>see the thing is that i think [might be wrong] that what one is going to find out about a person in two months is about the same you would in three years one can always read body language and some other stuff that is impossible to hide but there are other traits that you cant uncover unless the other person is willing to let you see them so if i was going to pick a stranger to travel to Europe with i would do that <BR>i did something similar a couple of years ago i posted an ad in the news paper and asked for someone who would travel with me for a month through mexico ....i got a bunch of phone calls and even though i originally was looking for one partner 4 people ended up going with me <BR>we had a blast, and we remain friends <BR>before traveling together we only talked one the phone for about 5 weeks and met a few times since we live in the same city <BR>i would definately recommend doing this if you are a patient person only because even though i had a great time you might not be so lucky when you pick your partner so just make up your mind to have a good time and dont let anybody ruin it

ttt

ttt<BR>

Bob C

NO, when you list the positives and negatives the negative list is MUCH longer than the positive list. In a nut shell a good match on a trip can make a good trip better anything less will make the trip worse. So the odds are very high that you will go from good to bad.