LadyOLeisure

This will be very fun! I think I found my pin when we moved -- maybe I can find it again.

LadyOLeisure

Starting out the weekend by moving this up to the top!

bonniebroad

Five days to go ...

Cassandra

To repeat the info for those lazy folks like me who just jump to the bottom: 5 pm at the Neo-China on Glenwood in Raleigh (near Crabtree Valley, no?).

This is interesting -- I'm looking forward to this and we'll have lots to chat about BUT I've been drafted to attend another obligatory dinner right afterward in Durham. Shall I eat 2 meals, or will I be able to resist the goodies at the Neo-China (not allowed to skip eating at the Mag.Grille afterward -- how often do you get "stuck" with two restaurants for the same night?)?

Not a horrible dilemma but thank goodness in the US doggybags are acceptable.

Cassandra

TTT to keep it fresh -- and thinking we may have quite a bit to talk about ;-)

Cassandra

Well, kudos and thanks and all of the above -- thanks to both bonniebroad and LadyOLeisure for making this happen. Was so very nice, very interesting, and definitely worth doing again. We missed you bonniebroad, hope all is okay with your family. Cheers!

dan_woodlief

Thanks from me too. I really enjoyed getting to meet everyone. The restaurant choice worked well too.

mlw

Thanks from me too! It was fun, and so interesting to meet everyone and hear of their travels and future travel plans! Let's do it again sometime...maybe Bonnie and those who missed it will be able to attend next time. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Budman

What, no pictures/trip report?

bonniebroad

Guys, I knew your dinner/GTG would be fun, and I'm so sorry I missed this first one. I'm glad that I helped in getting everybody together, and you're welcome. Now, pictures, pictures, pictures??? When will they be coming? How did you like the food at Neo-China? I believe there were six Fodorites and 3 spouses, right? I think that's a great turnout for the first gathering! Love to hear/see more details ...

pilgrim

Many thanks for arranging this, Ladyoleisure. It was great fun to swap favorite travel websites (gayots.com, tripadvisor.com, flyertalk.com--among others)> I enjoyed meeting kindred spirits and hearing of wedding and travel catastrophes/adventures. Please count me in for the next gathering. Thanks again for coordinating this and to Kathleen and spouse who drove over 3 hours and dan who dashed in from a convention in Richmond. You are truly loyal fodorfolk.

Pilgrim

flygirl

LadyO - next year I'll fly in!

LadyOLeisure

It was a wonderful time. I really don't remember how the food tasted because the conversation was so much fun. Next time I really want to host everyone at my house for a potluck of some kind. (No axe murder-types showed up, so I think we're safe! Maybe Dan W can bring his Civil War sword to protect us just in case). Two spouses (mine and Kathleen's) plus Dan, and I am pretty sure Martha and Pilgrim will be able to convince their DHs to join us next time.

It really is easy to talk to people when you know you've all got something in common. People had some great travel trips to share. I only took 2 pics around the table (and haven't looked at them yet) and I know Dan took a couple. Please let us review them among the participants before we post them anywhere LOL -- although I'll let you all know that everyone was sensibly dressed, no hot pink sweatsuits with white tennies or fanny packs in the bunch.

kathleen

Thanks to those who did the organizing for this event. We enjoyed meeting everyone. It well worth the trip--conversation was great, food was great, and we look forward to the next one.

dan_woodlief

I only got a couple of shots, and I can't say they are all that great. Actually we were too busy talking to do much with pictures; I almost forgot entirely. I would love to have gotten a few photos before dinner, but alas I did indeed dash in from Richmond and ended up half an hour late. I will make available what I have for review.

LadyOLeisure - Your axe murder comment was hilarious. One of the first things my wife said to me was "were they all normal people?" I guess she figured there might be more out there like me, but I assured her you were pretty normal.

mlw

Of course we are all normal! It's the rest of the world that is a little "off"! My daughter (the homicide detective) called me to make sure I was home safely after having dinner with "some people I met on the internet"!

pilgrim

Isn't there a dating service called "It's just lunch"----well, my hubby wasn't too worried when we said "it's just dinner!"

I'm just disappointed m_kingdom wasn't there to enjoy the beautiful Asian sculptures by the owner.

ncgrrl

Y'all thought I was normal?!? I guess when I leave my ax at home, I can fit in with most crowds.

I had a great time. Thanks to BonnieBroad for starting this and LadyOLeisure for taking over the reins.

I learned a lot and when I got home, I wondered which one of us has 'American Hair'.

With all the great trips everyone has been on, I need to get going on planning my next trip.

Thanks for planning the GTG, I hope we do this again.

LadyOLeisure

It is alway a "boost" to start planning another trip when you spend a couple hours talking about travel

dan_woodlief

Yes. It does make you want to travel. I had already wanted to go to Quebec and South Africa, and now I want to go even more.