What's Your Poison and Where Were You Warned Not to Travel, Yet Loved Anyhow?
 

It's officially cocktail hour here in the islands and I'm currently sitting on my patio, watching the sun go down over the azure Caribbean Sea, surfing the net wireless on my new noteook computer (a totally new and awesome concept for me), listening to classic Fleetwood Mac on my system and enjoying a glass of Pinot Grigio from the Veneto. Life just doesn't get any sweeter than this considering I'm leaving for Venice in three more weeks and just returned home from an awesome week of work and shopping in Miami. I think it's the first time I've actually gotten high from shopping in a few years. ;)

Speaking of Venice, when my DH and I were going to travel there to renew our wedding vows, a few people commented to me, "Isn't it going to be smelly?" I was a bit concerned by their comments, but took them with a grain of salt since none of them had been to Venice themselves to find out firsthand. So, I researched the "aromatic issue" here on Fodors and decided to go ahead with our plans and was not a bit disappointed. We never noticed any unusual aroma other than the smell of the sea on occassion, which we are used to with living on an island anyhow.

So, the question tonight, courtesy of Faina, is where were you warned not to travel, but loved anyhow?

First, where do I sign up for Statia's life?

I was warned not to go to Turkey and Egypt and I loved both, especially Turkey. (And I also got the Venice warning, and I loved it there was well).

It is still a little early here in CA for cocktails, but later I will relax with a glass of Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier. About 15 years ago we were planning a trip to Spain to visit long-lost relatives. My boss at the time said good thing because Spain is great, but don't ever go to Italy - it is so disgusting, dirty and the guys will be trying to pinch you etc. Four years later we went to Italy and, of course, it was wonderful and it is our favorite place to visit -- particularly Venice.

Salute',

MY

pdxgirl, there are plenty of downsides to small island life, as well. For instance, getting to go shopping only twice per year. :)

Hi Statia. We've run out of wine, so just lemonade for now.

Easy question - Naples, Italy. I don't know how many times we were warned about it, but I really liked it. Yeah, it's dirty and chaotic, but if you dig a bit under the surface, there is a lot there. I left feeling like I needed more time, so I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Hi Statia, nice to have you back! Glad your trip was so successful :D

Coffee for me as I wait for my husband to arrive home later this evening. It is a beautiful, crisp fall evening here in New York - just lovely.

We were "warned" ;) by my FIL not to travel to Chicago! Afterall, "Who travels to Chicago for a vacation?" What does he know?!? I had to laugh (hee,hee,hee) when he said the same thing to my S&BIL just this past August as they traveled to Chicago. The poor man doesn't know what he is missing just sticking with Europe, lol.

Have a pleasant evening, everyone!!!

Welcome home Statia ! Sounds like Christmas in September at your house.
((G))
Too early here in my time zone for poison, yet I'm thinking about a Nalle
Zin in the future.
((Y))
My mother was afraid for me to learn to ski. (Odd, as she was quite the adventuresome traveler in her lifetime)
Well, naturally I fell for a fiancee
who found the slopes of Colorado
irresistable. I definetly had a longer relationship with the slopes than with him.
((H))
WOW, I loved Copper Mountain and Crested Butte ! Great memories...
Now, I married to a man who introduced me to scuba. I am happy to report that both relationships are dandy.
((L))
R5

I'm just drinking water since I have to go pick Mr. Pickle up in a bit.

I decided to take my kids on a cross-country drive in 1999 in order to attend a couple of conferences in the DC area for home school leaders. Mr. Pickle couldn't get the time off, so he flew out for one of the conferences and then we all drove home together.

I got a bunch of shocked reactions from friends who were amazed that I would stay with people I had known online for years but had never met IRL, and when I arrived at the conference, people kept asking me, "And you really drove all by yourself?" :-0 :-)

We had a great time, too - stopped at the Gateway Arch, spent a day in Gettysburg and several days in Washington.

Lee Ann

Elendipickle, isn't it amazing the online relationships we'll forge and not think a thing about having them visit us for a firt time (or vice versa).

It's interesting how one can really get a "feel" for people we talk to online for a length of time. I've had the same experience with guests and being a guest.

No exotic story here, lol! Before our trip to France though, my FIL kept asking why we would go when the French were so rude to us. Nevermind the man has never left this country. We ignored him, had a wonderful time in France, yet when we returned and told him of our experiences, he insisted that the French were rude.

No poison yet...too early still on the west coast. Bu I am thoroughly enjoying the downpour of rain we have been getting all day:)

>>Elendipickle, isn't it amazing the online relationships we'll forge and not think a thing about having them visit us for a firt time (or vice versa).<<

It sure is! I don't think I would have done it if I hadn't known them for a few years, though.

At least one woman's husband was worried that I might be an ax murderer. :-)

Lee Ann

Hi Statia, we missed you! I'm glad you're back and enjoying life.

No poison for me. I've been getting allergy shots and I had a severe reaction today. It was pretty scary for awhile as my breathing was affected, but now all I have is a painful, red knot the size of a baseball on my arm.

Where was I warned not to travel? PARIS! I went twice this year, and both times I had family and friends raise their eyebrows and ask, "Aren't you afraid of (fill in the blank, mostly related to political issues)?" Paris is now my favorite place in the world, and I just love telling all the naysayers how wrong they were. ;;)

My poison is at home, I'm still at work for another 50 minutes or so, this is the downside being on the West Coast - everybody gets to their poisons earlier!

Before my vacation in Switzerland, a fellow Fodorite, out of all people, said: why, I didn't like it there, why are YOU going? :)

In 1998 I was warned it's not safe to go to Israel. I think it was the time of Iraq's bombing. With my then 16-year-old we had a trip of a lifetime!

Now I have a picture of Eilat as computer wallpaper and checking the flights and tour opportunities trying to figure out when, how, with whom. Note: "if" is absolutely out of question :)

Jocelyn, I'm glad everything is okay with your reaction now. That can be a frightening experience!

I agree that Parisians are far nicer than most people think...even in light of political issues. That's been my experience, as well.

I was also told before going to Paris the first time, "It's VERY expensive so I hope you have a lot of money!" This was from people who had been there, as well, and most of them could easily afford to travel there and may other expensive places. However, we honestly didn't notice things being any more expensive than here in the islands.

Hi Statia! I've been thinking of you in Miami. With all that shopping I'm a little jealous! ;)

My poison for now is a couple coronitas as I pack up to drive down to Long Beach Island, NJ. We're doing a long weekend there with friends and will enjoy the annual Chowderfest...10 shots of red & 10 shots of white chowder & then the big vote. It's lots of fun. Looking forward to a great time and lots of margaritas on the beach too.

As for travel, I can't recall anybody telling us not to go somewhere, although my in-laws love to travel but MIL can always find something to complain about. We are on very different wave lengths as far as travel goes so sometimes she can't understand why we'd want to go someplace that doesn't appeal to her at all.

Wherever we go, we have a great time & make the best of things if necessary.

Have a great weekend everyone! We're about to hit the road for the beach!

Trish :)

Sounds like a blast, Trish! Have fun and report back! :)

Hi Statia and all, Gotta agree about Paris-people there were sooo nice to us. Anytime we even looked at our map or DK book, some French person, in gawdgeous English, offered help. Today I bought a bottle of Prosecco. It was more expensive than Italy price (well, less the plane fare, har har) but is bringing back memories. A friend of mine moved today so I was looking for champagne as house-warming. There were two chilled bottles of pros so I took it as a sign! Enjoy!((D))

OK, I'll bite.

Just finished Aquinas Napa Valley Cabernet 2000 (was a very good year) along w/perfect filets, portobellos e/basil from my garden, garlic mashed potatoes, and herbed carrots w/assorted herbs also from the garden. The best meals are the most simple ones, esp. on Fri. night as we are heading to son's high school football game.

So to the question-- I was warned not to travel to Oaxaca in 1977 when I was 22. I was told it was too dangerous. But I went and yes, it was too dangerous. OUr bus got stopped by armed gunmen and they got us off, checked out our passports and bags, and just left us lined up outside the bus while they chatted and spit and pointed their guns around. I thought it might be a very bad situation, but quite suddenly they put us back on the bus and sent us on our way. And I loved Oaxaca and still have vivid memories of that trip to this day. Of course now I can't believe I did that and just cringe thinking that one of my kids might do something like that.

But alas, back to present reality- my family has headed out for the game and I am waiting at home for a Japanese hotel reservation line to open in 11 min. at 9 a.m. Japan time Oct. 1 for reservations 6 months from now when I am going w/my daughter in mid-April. These are highly coveted rooms and will be gone I am sure if I do not make this sacrifice. So I have country code and numbers in hand along w/credit card, and am just rabidly waiting for now 10 more min. to get through.

God, I really belong on this board. No one I know in person (except my immediate family) would ever guess what I am doing on a Fri. night.

emd, can I come have dinner at your house? :)

Sounds like an interesting trip to Oaxaca. Yikes!

I have to admit that I've often been envious of your trips to Japan. That's a "must" on my list but I've yet to make it there.

BTW - Did you ever make it to dinner at Mark's Place in Houston? Or did you go for lunch?

Hi everybody. No poison yet, as I am waiting to see if I need to pick my daughter up at the football game. Once I find out or when I get back, it will be the usual Bogle chardonnay.

The only placed I have been warned against visiting is Kauai and that was from Kal...needless to say, I did not heed his warning---noisy chickens, endless rain...yup should've listened to him. :S-

LeeAnn--LOL! My husband refers to my online friends as axe murderers:)

Looks like no poison for me tonight. I told a girlfriend I would go to the high school football game with her. We will haul all the kids, then she and I will stay and watch. Her DH is off hunting , and my DH has schoolwork (MBA). He will appreciate a quiet house tonight.

My poision is a yucky, sweet Rhine wine. I won't buy this again, but for now it's giving me the buzz I need.

My list of places I was warned not to go is so long. To name a few, there was Russia, France, Brazil, and Turkey. But the trip I caught the most flack for was Greece. This had nothing to do with travel to Greece, it was the timing. I left for Greece on Dec. 26, 1999 and returned around Jan. 5, 2000. Remember how everyone thought the world would blow up over Y2K? That's why everyone warned me not to go. They all thought if I left the country, it could be months before I could get back. I couldn't believe all the Y2K hysteria so I went anyway. I have no regrets because I will always remember greeting the year 2000 in Greece.

Like many of you, more recently I was warned about Paris. I went there in January and as you travelers all know, it was fantastic.

PM, I've been reading up on your family's evacuation from Houston since I've been back online. I'm glad they are safe and sound and I'm sure you're quite ready for that "buzz" about now. ;)

I could feel your concern reading your posts because my sister and mother live very near the Texas Gulf coast in Houston and were expecting to come back to nothing when they evacuated. Although I feel awful for those affected on the eastern Texas coast/Louisiana west coast (extended family of mine included), I'm grateful that Houston escaped w/o harm.

Mine's a Diet Coke! Since I'm at the office still, I have to set a good example... :-)

People rarely say anything about my tip plans. They have all heard my tales of travel and must figure I know the risks better than them!

The one and only time I ever let someone warn me off travel, it was my doctor. I had been very sick and he didn't think I should fly to San Diego to see my ailing father. I finally decided I had to go anyway, and arrived 3o minutes after my father passed away.

Only thing that saved my sanity was that the night before, my siblings told him I was coming and he responded positively. They think he was just waiting to know us kids would be together.

So when my doc warned me about going to Thailand last Christmas, I just asked for a referral to the travel Doc for vaccinations!

Statia, I'm happy that your family is OK, and I'm also thankful that Houston was spared. My only regret is that Houston's good fortune was Beaumont/Port Arthur's misfortune. But I was quite relieved that Rita went down to Cat 3 before making landfall, otherwise it would have been a lot worse for those who were affected. Let's hope this is the end of this year's hurricane season, and maybe next year won't be so bad.

lcuy, what a heart wrenching story. My heart goes out to you.

PM, I have relatives that still can't get back into Port Neches, Nederland and Pt. Arhtur to see their homes but the main thing is that they got out and are all ok. I just hope that everyone will heed the next warning w/o a Katrina fresh on their minds. I agree that I'm more than ready for this season to be over.

lcuy, that is so sad, I am sniffling and wiping away tears. I don't know what to say....

Hello all, no poison. I'm ready to go to sleep right after the W. Sox game is over. Semester is brutal right now. All kinds of academic and psychological emergencies. What drama! You could knock me over with a wet noodle. And a BIG day tomorrow downtown.

Wow how to you define "travel"? I was raised in a huge Sicilian home and going out without my brother was travel.
I'm not kidding and this when the rest of the world was either in SDS (I wonder how many of you even know what that was) or having a summer of love.

It was not that I was ever warned against any one place or travel experience. It is more accurate to say that everyone just looks at me like I am nuts for probably 75% of the trips I take. My mother (84) likes to hear about my travel experiences now, and she was one of the worst anti-travel person to me in the past. But I don't tell her or a majority of my friends half of the things I have done on trips.

I would love to go to Japan too. And also Australia/New Zealand.

Oh, I can think of one. My guy absolutely refused to go into Mexico. He had a terrible experience there when he was a soldier. But I got him to cross the border last Feb. and he was won over somewhat- at least for some areas.

Many of the faculty and staff I work with have gone to Israel and have loved it. And I did go to Naples and would return there also- although it isn't my favorite in Italy.

Tonight on our first real rainy night in Portland, I am making a nice big pasta dinner with an Italian (Sicilian) red wine. .. Nero D'Avalo..

I was warned that the French would be terribly rude and I would not have fun shopping there. I go back every year, waiting for that rude salesperson..where is she? did she retire?
I shop and I shop, no one is rude. Hmmm, could it have been an Urban Legend ? :)

My poison tonight is bottled water - very boring. My husband and I were warned not to travel to Maui in September 2001. We had booked the trip several months in advance for 9/19/01 to 10/1/01. When the tragedy happened on 9/11/01 everyone told us to cancel the vacation. Even our travel agent offered a complete refund or a credit for later travel. We are very stubborn people and felt what would change in 2-3 months to make us feel safer. We felt that the airlines were certainly on guard and either you are a traveler or not. So we went and called home after each leg of our trip to let our parents know we were safe. It ended up being one of our favorite trips. The hotel, the Maui Hyatt, barely had anyone there. The people everywhere on the island were so friendly and grateful that people were still traveling. We went to a Catholic mass that was very inspirational. The priest actually thanked the visiting people for coming to the island considering the recent tragedy. We definitely plan to return to the island someday.

No poison for me...how lame am I?

My mother and a few others thought I was nuts to go on any of my solo trips. It wasn't the destinations I chose as much as, 'Why would you want to go away by yourself?' and 'What if something happens. You're all alone.' My mother thinks she's independent because she lives alone, yet she won't drive more than 10-15mi. from home. She sure wasn't going to get it that I have an overwhelming need to see the world and was ok w/going it alone.

That said, I did get a bunch of flack from people about going to S. America. A friend and I went to Brazil and heard many people warning us how dangerous it was. When they heard I was headed down to Buenos Aires by myself a couple of people almost acted as if I had a death wish or something. BsAs is a really interesting place and I would definately go back and see more of Argentina. I found the people to be really nice and helpful and patient with my pitiful Spanish.

Omg I'm sitting here reading my favorite site and I stumble across this post. Thanks Stacia.

Love, love travel and don't usually listen to people about not going but I too had the warning about Paris. But really found the people lovely. They walked up to us on the street to help us find our way when we looked lost. No problems there.

My poison is Pinio Gricio for now and some sleep very soon.

Hello Statia, well after an afternoon of enjoying beautiful wine at a long luncheon with my daughter I am home and just poured myself a glass of chardonnay, so that is my poison.

Warned not to travel to yet loved anyhow? First places that come to mind is Naples, Italy and Bari, Italy. And then Haiti. I can't say I "loved" Haiti as I felt so bad for the natives and there living conditions but am glad I was able to visit there, although I would probably never go back but it sure was interesting.

Correction: their living conditions..must remember to use the Edit Button. But am frustrated as the Marriott Rewards ad is covering half of my screen. First time that ever happened. And I hate Marriott hotels, LOL

And Happy Belated Birthday, Love Italy.

That Marriott ad is driving me crazy as well.

Mexico. Visiting a cousin in Texas in December 2003, I decided to combine my visit by crossing border and go to Monterrey because I'd never been to Mexico or for that matter Latin America before. Before going, people here in Canada had told me "the crime there is really bad", "I think there are armed bandits all over, so you'd better watch it". My mother living in Washington, DC talked up my trip to acquaintances who told her, "tell him to look poor", "learn self-defence" and would call me worried. Even on Fodor's some told me to "skip Monterrey".

Arriving in Monterrey, I had panic moments due to all the warnings, but once I started exploring the Centro, I honestly felt safer there than in most US cities. After a few days there, I had fallen madly in love with the city and its people...enough so that I decided to return the next year and was emboldened enough that I combined Monterrey with a visit to Mexico City.

This time the warnings were amplified "Mexico City's not like Monterrey, way more dangerous, watch out", "you'll choke on the pollution", "only set foot out of your hotel with a trusted guide", "I can't believe you're planning on walking around on your own". Not to mention the State Department warnings.

My trip to Mexico City ended up being one of the most amazing, humbling trips I've ever taken. Other than heeding the warnings about taxis and making sure to have little money on me, I was amazed at my general comfort level travelling independently. Now I'm so crazy about Mexico the country that I seek out Mexican movies, music here and almost obsessively dream of when I might visit next.

Suerte. DAN

JJ5: What is SDS??

LoveItaly: You made me think of the warnings we got about the Naples train station. First from a Sicilian traveler on plane to Palermo, then from taxi driver in Siracusa and finally from someone on train to Naples. Naturally, there were more police than people at the train station!

oops, Make that 'pick pockets' in Naples train station!

I was warned not to go to Newfoundland in January -we began in St. John's had the most amazing room & view at the Fairmont - only to be outdone by the most gracious staff -- had a choice each night, of top notch restaurants, met & were inspired by talented chefs, the freshest of seafood, rented a house further out on the Rock -- again met people offering such amazing hospitality - each day's drive, each bend in the road took us to a new level of beauty - evening sky's that were flooded with stars - memories for a life time, and dreams of retiring on the Avalon Peninsula.

Thank you JJ5, is was a nice relaxing day yesterday, but ate too much, LOL.
And fortunatly I don't seem to be bothered by that Marriott ad today, hope you aren't either.

Donco, the first time I went to Naples I thought maybe we would have our throats slit due to all the "warnings".
I have noticed over the years the people that give us all the dire warnings really aren't people that enjoy travelling.

Safe and happy travels to everyone!