First annual AO members meet

[TC]

With visions of TVs flying out of hotel windows and assault charges being brought...the idea of a physical meeting of AO members has been tossed around by a few people ( I have a good lawyer as well) and the possibility of a target date of sometime next summer.

No doubt the interest would be good ( for revenge if nothing else) and it would be a laugh to finally meet some of the nut cases ( a weapons search will be performed ) that bless this site.

Soooo we are looking for ideas for locations ( some neutral ground without an extradition treaty) that could allow both EU members, Yanks and Canooks to have the possibility to afford the trip, as well as some decent logging.

Feel free to rant with this one...

[Sammy56]

I do like the target date. With all the students we have here, summer would be the best option.

As for locations, may I ask why they can't have an extradition treaty? Are you trying to hide something shortround? :D

I think it's a great idea and would love to go.

[iulian28ti]

though i don't have the smallest hope i could attend, i think it would be nice in Greenwich (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwich)

[medicvet]

How about Jamaica? I'm going to be spending a month there in July anyways, if all goes well. It's not that much at all in the 'off season'. Depending upon how you want to go, you can either go extreme budgeting, ultra luxury, or something in between. Negril, Jamaica is one of the most beautiful places in the world, from her seven mile long beach with so little wave it's like stepping in a warm bathtub to jumping from her cliffs and swimming around there...and in Jamaica, everyting is criss..or irie. :D

If not there, then name a place and if I can afford it will go. I got a great deal on this place in Jamaica for only $700 for the month of July and you can prolly find them most of the time for about $1200 for the entire month, meals not included, or that price for a week with an all inclusive..

yeah, I'm trying to hard sell it, lol!:w00t:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negril

http://negrilinfo.com/

[TC]

Geees Medicvet... we had thought your place! ( at least ya could get the insurance claims for a thrashed place lol) and you soooo big hearted you wouldn't mind putting up 20 or so drunks for a few days..right? ( we can bring our own barf bags)

Insert puke icon here....

[Blu-ray]

This is a cool idea. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend. The cost would be too much for me with my security detail. There are several persons that may show up that would wish to do me harm.

I am also not allowed in any airports anymore because of an incident involving a hamster in an airport restroom. :shy: It was messy, we'll just leave it at that.


I'll be there in spirit though!

[Sandstorm]

How about Iran................if Bush gets his way most of us will be drafted and will be over there.....LOL

[Sammy56]

I am also not allowed in any airports anymore because of an incident involving a hamster in an airport restroom. It was messy, we'll just leave it at that.
ROFLMAO!

Sorry DVD, but I will force you to come. :D

[Mezurashi]

I cannot attend, alas, as the U.S. currently considers me a 'naughty, naughty person of little to no interest,' but the border database will red flag me for something that happened 17 years ago. europe is also not really doable as my passport expired and I can't stomach the idea of waiting in line for 10 hours to be told I'd have to come back the next day.

but if you hold the meet in Canada I can make it. how about some where in Nunavut?

[lazserus]

This is all shortround's doings. I can't say I'm ready to help organize such an event, although I'd love to participate in one.

[Harry61]

I agree it is a wonderful idea, however, most people could not attend due to costs, disabilities or like Mez bad bad boy.

But, we could have those that can travel, travel, and then post pics of the meeting and who they talked about etc.

If I don't win at the chili cook off, I hope to travel to see Medic if she is still up for a vist. I can get close to the Canadian boarder so see the folks up there, maybe hit the North east on the way. But again, I would have to save and plan now in order to do it.

But hey , we could keep the ideas comming. Maybe something in the long run would work. :bounce:

[Blu-ray]

Canada wouldn't be too out of reason for me. Plus they are a very open country (TG) I would still need lots of security... LOL...

[lazserus]

Perhaps we could have continental meetings? Like one designed for North America (and those that wich to come from abroad are welcome) and one in Europe somewhere? This a world wide site, and trying to gather the troops onto even a single continent could prove difficult.

[Assassin X]

I say we meet in Hawaii. :w00t:

[medicvet]

Geees Medicvet... we had thought your place! ( at least ya could get the insurance claims for a thrashed place lol) and you soooo big hearted you wouldn't mind putting up 20 or so drunks for a few days..right? ( we can bring our own barf bags)

Insert puke icon here....

So THAT'S what we need the pukey smiley for! yeesh, boy is my face red!:blush:

Of course ya'll can come to my place, it is right by OKC the 'heart' of America! About an hour's drive east. If ya'll don't mind the floor and bring your own sleeping (and barf!) bags! BYOH (Bring Your Own Hamster!) oh man, we need a rodent icon! :D

[medicvet]

Perhaps we could have continental meetings? Like one designed for North America (and those that wich to come from abroad are welcome) and one in Europe somewhere? This a world wide site, and trying to gather the troops onto even a single continent could prove difficult.

That's a great idea..one meeting for north america and one for europe..we are kinda 'spread out' there.

[Demonskates]

Id say im going. but somthing usually comes up. So until im emplooyed, im not sure. but id like to.

[medicvet]

I really love the idea, who all wants to come? And ya'll need to quit giggling because I said the word come. yeesh.:cool14::yummm:

[TC]

Ok all jokes aside. I would dearly love to see this happen, for better or worse..we have become friends..and thats what really matters, so we could try to be as informal as possible with the whole thing, in as much as where and how, and leave it open for ideas to drop down from everybody.

I know this was an off the top idea to begin with,,,but sometimes they can be the best ones. And no doubt it would be fun to meet each other before this world takes a shit.

[Smoke]

I say Toronto Because Its a fun city, and its just about the only place I can afford to travle to and theres tons of places to have such a meet... TONS!

Unless some one is willing to hook me up a ride to else where :)

[medicvet]

What we need to do is see how many people want to do this, then have a poll and see what ends up being the most popular location, because I would really love a get together with ya'll next summer too. And I am serious about my home being welcome, but it would be sleeping bags on the floor, lol. Or we could go to OKC, there is a lot to do and see there..by my little town, there just the lake, but if anyone is into fishing and camping and swimming it could be fun...plus, they have cabin rentals by robbers cave, that is an area with a lake and the cave is where outlaws Belle Starr and the James brothers used to hideout.

As far as Jamaica, the main thing for most folks would be the plane fare, because I know places where one can stay for only 50 or 60 dollars a night, and know of the lesser expensive places to eat since I have been there twice. We could even share rooms, if they have like two double beds or something.

Or how about we all meet in the Big Apple, NYC? I have been there a few times, but it has been a while, and there would be no lack of things to do. I'm trying to place in my head where toronto is and it is in the east, right?

I know that I am going next summer to Jamaica for sure because during the summer if I am willing to drive down to Dallas, I can get a nonstop roundtrip for between 200 and 300 dollars through worryfreevacations.com Summer rates are cheapest because they are 'offseason', and I know there has got to be some bargain companies from london and/or canada too, because when I go to the Trip Advisor Jamaica forums sometimes they are talking about what companies have bargains. I never really paid much attention to them because I am here in OK, but I will look into it.

[Sammy56]

Or we could go to OKC, there is a lot to do and see there..Are we talking about the same OKC here? :D


Or how about we all meet in the Big Apple, NYC? Not to brag on my new home town, but I actually do think it's a good idea. It would be cheaper for a lot of people to get here to, since it's such a big destination. And there is a ton to do here. Although, for hotels and stuff, we'd have to probably stay outside the city (at least outside Manhattan) or you are talking $250 a night.

[nrj]

I'm all for Laz's idea. NYC tickets cost a fortune for the typical student, but a train ticket to any large city in Europe isn't that bad.

[medicvet]

Yes, I am talking about the same OKC, lol. They have revitalized downtown into an area called 'bricktown', and it is similiar to what San Antionio did years back with their water canals..as there is one in OKC in bricktown too. Also, the hotel costs wouldn't be a prohibitive as they would be in NYC.

If the north american meeting is in NYC, I would prolly stay at a youth hostel, as there are some that don't require the person to actually be a college student, and they are a lot cheaper than the hotels which are pretty expensive.

So no one is up for Jamaica then? bummer..what month in the summer should we do this shindig then? Because I plan on spending the entire month of July in Jamaica, but could alter my plans if I can afford to, and include meeting up with some of ya'll somewhere..

When I went to Jamaica last year I fell in love with Negril, and returned this summer, even though I was robbed the day before I left. Now I am hoping to have the money to take my son during spring break, since last year I took my daughter and her best friend, as her graduation present, and this past year I went by myself since my son said he didn't want to go..all up until three days or so before I left, then he changed his mind, but it was too late to get him a passport then. If the rules hadn't changed from the year before we could have gone on his birth certificate, but now they require a passport, or at least it showing that you have applied and it is being processed. That is why I am going to really try to stretch next months budget and go ahead and start the procedure for him to have one. It's about a hundred dollars, so I think I should be able to do it.

If I could find an affordable deal to travel to England or Europe, would love to go. I spent almost seven years in the Army, and never got to go to Europe, just a storm in the desert and a jungle in central america. meh.

[Sammy56]

They have revitalized downtown into an area called 'bricktownBricktown is okay I guess. Lots of good food. I guess having spent 10 years of my life just south of there doesn't make it the most appealing place. :D

[The Space Pope]

We could always do Mobile, since a number of us already live here(me, jinxz, and Tyler Durden) :P Although New Orleans would be a much more appealling destination if you were going to come in this direction.

[medicvet]

That's a ways from here, but I would love to see if N'awlins has gotten any of her musical talent back since Katrina. I would be game for that.

[Harry61]

That's a ways from here, but I would love to see if N'awlins has gotten any of her musical talent back since Katrina. I would be game for that.


I could swing by and pick you up on the way :) I can get anywhere in the USA in two days.

[DontBeAfraid]

I hate the entire south east of the US so....

In fact I hate everything between the rockies and new york.

[Traveler]

Practicalities

We need somewhere that can be reached by road or rail as the air ports are a bit of a turn off now days

Needs to be somewhere where there is a high volume of American traffic so as to ensure smooth sailing.

Why not look at one of the smaller towns along the Alaska highway through BC

[medicvet]

Alaska in the summer? My mom just went and came back with her church group in July..she raved about the beauty..but that is quite a ways..if we are going to have one in North America, we should have it just a wee bit south of Alaska I would think.

How about Mexico? They have 'specials' and stuff all the time there, particularly in the Summer. Or the Dominican Republic? They have really inexpensive All Inclusives there, although I would be careful about drinking the water, as some travelers tummies don't handle it too well. (You don't have to worry about drinking the water in Jamaica, as it has a natural aquifer....Hey, I have a killer idea..how about we all go on a short coupla day cruise leaving from galveston or n'awlins around the caribbean? I've never gone on a cruise, but it might be fun..

I'm more than game to go anyplace with a beach....or at least a decent motel pool..I look skinnier in water, and just love to float around..I'm naturally boyant, don'tcha know. ::p::

I know, I know..I'm still in a circuitous (sp?) manner tryin to get ya'll to consider Jamaica! :D

[medicvet]

Waitaminit..there is that long canadian railway that goes through the heart of some awesome forests..we could make the trip as fun as the destination if we start on the east coast and end up on the west coast..spend a few days, then turn around and go back..we would be THE party in the railway car with the windows all around..the observation car.. :cool03:

[TC]

Waitaminit..there is that long canadian railway that goes through the heart of some awesome forests..we could make the trip as fun as the destination if we start on the east coast and end up on the west coast..spend a few days, then turn around and go back..we would be THE party in the railway car with the windows all around..the observation car.. :cool03:

OOOh I like this idea, a rolling party from one end to the other !! Can you imagine the amount of stuff left alongside the tracks that gets heaved out the windows and the debauchery !! Hell we'd be arrested before we got to Vancouver...LOL

The event of a lifetime.... Whata hoot.

[Blu-ray]

OOOh I like this idea, a rolling party from one end to the other !! Can you imagine the amount of stuff left alongside the tracks that gets heaved out the windows and the debauchery !! Hell we'd be arrested before we got to Vancouver...LOL

The event of a lifetime.... Whata hoot.

Will they have internet on the train???

[TC]

Will they have internet on the train???


They'd have to..lol ... we could be online here...it'd be like a running commentary of a riot.

[medicvet]

you know I have traveled by train before, and it is THE funnest way to travel by far. We could go on across the Canadian railway and then stay a few nights at the end of the line, so to speak, then go back, and the party would never have to stop! :D

What do you guys think? Should we look into this for North America's get together?

[Harry61]

I can do a train. I just don't fly well.

Even if they don't have internet, we can get one of those wireless cards. Oh love to see that bill. :sick:

Alaska sounds cool in the summer. All the moutains and trees. Pretty flat where I am, I could make it to the NW US in 2 days, hope the train be there.

Then I need to get to work on a passport, I let mine expire years ago. I heard they take forever to get nowdays.

[Smoke]

im down to mee t you guys in bc or something, my borther lives up there i been thinking about moving up ther by next summer so wy the hell not

[medicvet]

So a train trip through Canada to Alaska and then back home would be possible then? How does that sound?

[DontBeAfraid]

you know I have traveled by train before, and it is THE funnest way to travel by far. We could go on across the Canadian railway and then stay a few nights at the end of the line, so to speak, then go back, and the party would never have to stop!Wow. I love long train rides.... a train ride vacation. I might even come out for that.


Disclaimer: chances are what they are, the future is not currently known.

[TC]

So a train trip through Canada to Alaska and then back home would be possible then? How does that sound?


Well I'm open for it, I gotta fly no matter what to any destination. I guess we have to see how many are interested , and find some starting point. We have most of the year to work out details.

[medicvet]

Well, as long as at least one or two other people want to, I'm in for it. :cool03:

[Cornish Maid]

That sounds like fun. It would be lovely to see Canada, and you lot of course. :bounce:

[medicvet]

Well, I'll be browsing around on travel sites for a while..right now it looks like it will be pretty expensive..or at least as much as a trip to the caribbean or mexico, if not more. But if I can do it and still do Jamaica next summer, I'm in. Some inexpensive travel sites are worryfreevacations.com, travelzoo, and sidestep.com, among others, and we could look at how much the flights would be for either the gulf of mexico areas, or up north to Canada in the summer, from where we respectively live. I go to Trip Advisor's Jamaica messageboard site, and can sometimes learn about some really good deals from there, including people coming from Canada and England. I will check out their Canada messageboard site too and see what they will say..

We do have a while to plan this, which is good...I'm excited just at the thought of a get together with my friends. :bounce:

[DontBeAfraid]

Situations change, count me out.

[TC]

Situations change, count me out.

Its just suggestions at this point.

[medicvet]

Cost is a factor for me, so if it's not Jamaica, and it's next summer, it would have to be something that wouldn't run me too high..like $1,000 at the most. Just sayin, and I know other people prolly have limited budgets too. That doesn't mean we can't do this, it just means we need to figure out the best way to do this that the most people would enjoy it at the cheapest price. And like Shortround sez, we are just kicking around ideas at this point.:wink:

Okay, this is my last shot at seeing if I can get ya'll to consider a Jamaican vacation, I promise! (don't look behind my back, my fingers are crossed, lol!)

this site does package deals including flights from Canada and England, and can usually find the cheapest flights. You can also check out some of the hotels and see what kind of place you would like to stay at..on the beach, or on the cliffs..both have their good points. And whether to to EP (European Plan) or AI (All Inclusive).. ya'll might want to give them a call, just to see what kind of deal they could do for ya. http://www.onestopva.com/netscapenew.html

And then there is this place on Runaway Bay that an online friend owns, and we could all go together and rent Carousel Villa, where some meals are included in the price as well. Check it out:
http://www.takemetojamaica.com/

Now that is the last I will be speaking for a while on that...I will start to see what kind of train cross country trips they have with the Canadian rail, and how much it would cost some of us to get there in the first place, and then post sometime in the next few days info on that..I encourage others to check out some of their own ideas if they have them, and don't be shy about it either! :D

[Mezurashi]

maybe we could hold off on making a decision until Richard Branson gets his orbital hotel set up and running :rolling:

[medicvet]

yeah, but I would have to go economy flight..."to the moon, Alice!" style. :2thumbs:

[medicvet]

Okay, here is a site that does Canadian Rail packages, let me know what you think. It might be more than I could afford..because not only would I have to pay for the vacation, but for the flight to one end where it begins, and a flight back home from the other end..then I also found out that there are some routes that you can't even smoke at the stops..ack!

http://www.vacationsbyrail.com/canada/train_travel_vacations/canada_by_rail/index.html


I did a price check on costs of plane fare from various cities to Jamaica, and it runs about roughly $400 at most places for round trip....Then you can get all different kinds of lodgings you would want..cliffs...beach..from low budget to middle to high budget....okay, okay, I'll stop...except to say that you can usually in the Summertime get into Negril Gardens which is a budget AI for only $168 a night for two people..Merrils is often cheaper than that...and if you want to go non AI there are a wide variety of places too...

I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to mention it anymore, but when I looked at how expensive a Canadian rail trip is, it got to me..we can go to waterfalls and jump off cliffs into the ocean below and go snorkeling and reggae out in Jamaica, mon! De island is callin!

And especially if we went in for Carousel Villa, it would be under a thousand for each person plus plane fair plus about 200 for misc. I have never stayed there before but know the person who owns the place, and know people who have been there who rave about it. It would be something new for me, as it is located on Runaway Bay, and I usually go to Negril.

Or we could stay at a non AI that has it's own kitchen Negril Beach Club Condos, so if someone wants to get groceries sometime and cook themselves they can, and they run under a hundred a night.

there are a LOT of places, each with their own particular charm, to stay at in Negril.

If it is a rail vacation, I am not sure I will have all the money needed for something like that..about 800 just for plane fare, then 1,500 roughly for the trip..

[medicvet]

Okay, I know I promised, but I thought I'd show ya'll some of the properties in Negril...you can go all you can eat and drink for as little as around 150 a day..or we could go all in on a few bedrooms like at Negril Beach Club Condos..so here are a few 'beach' places and a few 'cliff' places...Legends and Samsara are 'sister' properties so they have a shuttle that goes back and forth between the beach and the cliffs.

Besides Jamaica, we could go maybe to Mexico, like at Cozumel? The prices are about the same for flights and AI's there, and although I was in Honduras and round about there never did go to Mexico..it still trips me out that now there are tourists going to Honduras, lol, but that's just me since I have a history with that place.

Or even Las Vegas, where what is said there and goes on there stays there? I have driven through but never stayed in Vegas..

I am just presenting these because while a Canadian Rail trip sounds like fun and it is always something I wanted to do, I don't think I could afford it, and so am hoping that we can all go someplace more affordable..if anyone else has any other ideas, of course please present them here; would love to hear them! Like even New York, I guess I could stay at one of those Hostels since the hotels are pretty expensive. Heck, last time I was in Jamaica, I got a good deal staying at Coral Seas Garden for a few days then Coral Seas Cliffs for a few more days for only $80 dollars a night through Negril ONestop.

Anytime after April 15th and before December 15 is the 'off' season in Negril (except for the first week in August, when they are pretty booked because their 'emancipation day' is the 1st and their 'independence day' is the sixth, so it is a big local holiday and folks come from the big cities like Kingston to spend time on the beach, much like our fourth of july where people go visit and get out of town. But if we do it in June or July, we could get low rates and not have to worry too much about the weather. Year before last I went with my daughter and her best friend as a graduation present, plus I had always wanted to go, and we stayed at Seastar, since they were one of the few places available..I hadn't had the money to book a place in advance, and they were one of the few places that would accept a small deposit, then the rest when I got there. They are on the 'cliff side', although not on the cliffs themselves, but there are places like Rick's that are within easy walking distance, and if you want to go to the beach, the Margaritaville Bus will pick you up at around 11am and return you at around 4pm, or if you want to stay longer, they have lots of taxis.

Here are a few places ya'll might want to take a look at:

http://www.negrilgardensresort.com/index.cfm

http://www.merrilsbeachresorts.com/index.html

http://www.negrill.com/index.html

and then places like this that you can choose beach or cliffs:

http://www.negrilhotels.com/

and then the nice cliff places:

http://www.seastarinn.com/

http://www.xtabi-negril.com/

And I have never stayed here but have eaten here and the food is excellent and have snorkeled there and there is a lot to see, and the rooms across the street start at only $90 a night offseason..

http://www.rockhousehotel.com/


Like I said before, I am more than open to any other suggestions..it's just that looking at the Canadian rail trip it seems to be pretty expensive to me. Right now to fly from Mobile, Alabama to Jamaica is only 219 through American Airlines, and while that might not be true next year, it prolly will be pretty close to that...but if more people want NY or even to come over and stay at my place, they are more than welcome. ::):

[Cherisa]

Medivet? Do you ,by any chance, want to go to Negril?!? ::p:

[medicvet]

ya think?:grin:

But I would be willing to settle for us all going in on going to Carousel Villa in Runaway Bay...see, I can compromise... :ROFL:

seriously tho, we could do anything together as long as I can afford it..even a small cruise...they have some that leave from Galveston and/or N'awlins..although they are the opposite of Jamaica..summer is THEIR 'high season'..

Like I said tho, it would be cool just to get together. :D

[D34DGuY]

I would love to meet you crazy people...with that said, I live in Massachusetts, in America's so called home town to be exact. Anyways, I cannot afford to travel that far. However, if we were to do a Meet in New York I wouold do everything I could to make it there. Aside from that, I have to say, Dvanderm If anyone tried to hurt you while I am around because of your sexual orientation I will gladly protect you. =) You should not deprive yourself of things in yoru life that you would like to do because of some douchebag that cannot accept other people of thier species for being different. It is this very intolerance that has been created by design by the power elite to keep us devided. We are powerful beings however society has driven into us that we are weak and nothing without the system. Just think about it...as scarey as it sounds its very real and true. ...The more i look into society the more I see that at least around me, the school system is doing nothing more than breeding a generation of nonthinkers, and drones as I have heard someone say. Well anyways, enough of my rantings...it would be nice to meet the people that I have exchanged posts with for the past 2+ years.

[medicvet]

You know what might be helpful after we have kicked this around a bit more is to have a poll to see who would be able to go where. I am up for a NY trip, but like I said, would have to stay at a hostel unless someone would be willing to go in on a hotel with me and we could split the cost..and that someone would have to be female; I don't know ya'll guys here THAT well yet, lol! If it's a drive, and spacepope picks me up along with the others mentioned in the same area, that could make for a rather interesting 'road trip', lol! :D

[D34DGuY]

You know what might be helpful after we have kicked this around a bit more is to have a poll to see who would be able to go where. I am up for a NY trip, but like I said, would have to stay at a hostel unless someone would be willing to go in on a hotel with me and we could split the cost..and that someone would have to be female; I don't know ya'll guys here THAT well yet, lol! If it's a drive, and spacepope picks me up along with the others mentioned in the same area, that could make for a rather interesting 'road trip', lol! :D

I would split the cost of a hotel room with someone, would make it easier on both of me and the person I am splitting it with.

[TC]

It will probably come down to some central location that fits a majority.

[Smoke]

I still say tornoto, Its not as expensive as newyork, flights all go to toronto trains go to tornoto busses meet up in toronto, its not too far for every one and toronto is mainly cheap, unless you like all that crazy fancy shit! :)

I can definatley afford toronto, for a good 2 3 weeks lol, but I dont even think I will be allowed in the U.S if i go to court and get charged ect... i have court on the 16th so we'll see.

[medicvet]

I'm game...how much are the hotels in Toronto? I'll google a bit and find out how much a flight there and back would be, or if I can ride shotgun with someone.

[Becks]

I would love to come if we have it in Western Canada, but maybe just for a day or two. Summer is busy for me at work and I get Spring and Fall vacation time.

You can take the train from Vancouver, BC to Jasper, AB up through the Canadian Rockies for under $400 round trip. I do it once a year for a long weekend getaway and we stay up in Jasper for two nights. Fresh mountain air and lots of crazy elk!

[medicvet]

What link were you checking out, and how did you figure the plane fare? So it would be under $400 for the round trip, and I am assuming it doesn't include food, drinks, and sleeper cars? If it does, that is one helluva bargain. If it is only 400 I might be able to swing it..the ones I was looking at were five to nine day tours that start at Toronto and end at Victoria (I think!) Maybe you could talk to the train companies and ask them if they are willing to give a 'group rate'. What the hey, it's worth a try. I do know that including air and hotel and transfers to and from, are only 1000 US Dollars. That's at the range I'm trying to set up, as that is what I am pretty sure I will have to spend by next june/july. So I open to anything that isn't over a 1000 including transportation, hotel, and food and drink and souvenirs.


Hey, If I see you in July, then that means I might have to push my Negril trip this next July/Aug instead, but that's doable, most definitely.

[Demonskates]

I would split the cost of a hotel room with someone, would make it easier on both of me and the person I am splitting it with.

Ill bunk with ya. Im from Massachussetts as well. Provided I get a job between here and there.:thumbs:

[D34DGuY]

Ill bunk with ya. Im from Massachussetts as well. Provided I get a job between here and there.:thumbs:

What part of Mass are you from? I would say we should grab a drink sometime...but I know that you are trying to get off that. Would be cool to meet someone on here, if I am unable to meet a group of people.

[medicvet]

Boston is cool...there would be some neat historical places to visit, right? How much do hotels run in Boston? I spent some time in Baltimore this spring, and found the hotels started at 99 a night on up..

Let's see what we have so far:

Vancouver
NY
Negril/Runaway Bay
Boston
Rail Trip in Canada
Mexico/Cozumel
Las Vegas

So far it looks like the Northeastern choices are most popular for the most people, correct me if I'm wrong. Can I get a link to the site that has the train trip for $400 please? Would love to check that out.

[Becks]

I'm not saying take the train all across Canada. Then you'll need a sleeper car and it will cost about $3000 all inclusive. I'm talking about taking the trip from Vancouver up through the Rockies to Alberta and back. You don't need a sleeper car. It's a 16 hour trip and includes food. You leave early in the morning in the summer and arrive just as the sun goes down so you get to see all the beautiful scenery. Right now for July 2008 the cost is $360.

I've included a map...for the Americans:P Vancouver-Jasper

http://www.viarail.ca/map-of-canada.html

Everyone would need to check their own airfare of where they're coming from.

Also, the train doesn't go to Victoria. They dump you on a bus and take you across the water on a ferry. Taking the train out West from Toronto is pretty much a waste of money. You'll need a sleeper car and 1/3 of the trip is across the flat Prairies and nothing much to look at. If you want to do a cross-Canada trip then you need to start in Nova Scotia and go all the way out to BC. You're looking at minimum $3500.

[medicvet]

So for a sixteen hour trip, it includes food, from Vancouver to Alberta and back, and is $360? Then there is the roundtrip plane ticket from OK to Vancouver..will check on that. Would we also be spending a night or two in a hotel in that area? How many here can afford to fly out there?

I can't help still thinking of Jamaica, because we could just let sand gravity take over for a week, for about the cost of some of these other excursions, or would take just a little bit more..There are decent hotels for under 70 a night, and if you want to do all inclusive, that goes from 80 per person on up to 400 a person depending upon the hotel, and there are some that are only sixty a night but right across the street from the beach, and have breakfast included as well.

I have an idea..how about everyone that is even vaguely interested, price how much plane fair would be to Vancouver and back and then price them going to montego bay and back. We definitely need input on this, because I want to see about getting the most people to go.

And if others have any other ideas, please present them, as this is the 'kicking around ideas' stage, and could use all the help we can get..plus, that way we can find out who all would go and under what circumstances, and then find out how many people can make it to what destination.

[Becks]

No, the trip is 16 hours each way and is $360 round trip including food.

I generally spend a couple of nights in one of the hotels in the area. Four of us usually go and split a 2-bedroom suite at $50/person/night. Food and entertainment is extremely cheap.

I'd be very willing to go to the Carribean, but like I said, summer is bad for me and I really don't see Jamaica as a weekend trip.

You guys can just go ahead and plan without me, I probably wouldn't be able to make it even if it was out West here.

[medicvet]

Well, why don't we have a 'roll call' to see who is interested in going and who might be able to make it then? I am just about definitely coming, myself, as I am looking forward to putting some of the screen names some faces. And I haven't heard anything about Sin City, so I guess we can rule that one out.

so it's:

Toronto
New York
Western Canadian Rail trip
Jamaica

It is only about an hour and a half drive from the Montego Bay airport to Negril, so it could be doable for three or four days, if someone can't do a whole week. Most price checks I have done for flights have been about the same ifnot less than a trip to western Canada. And you can do everything from a place with a kitchen and go shopping at the hilo in Negril, or an All INclusive that starts at about 100 to 200 a night for two, as prices are very reasonable in the summer, or a place that includes breakfast but leaves you on your own to explore the area for lunch and dinner. That is how I did it during my first trip, and had a ball. My second trip went AI and it wasn't as fun...although the fact that I was robbed the day before I left leaving me with no money for excursions like parasailing etc might have had something to do with it, lol!

If anyone has any ideas on where to go besides the four I've listed, please let me know, and I will add it!

[medicvet]

The cheapest I have been able to find for a flight for me to Vancouver is almost $800 roundtrip. But I did find a flight from Boston to Montego Bay for only $380 round trip, and am looking to see how cheap it would be from Canada and England.

I talked with the lady who owns Carousel Villa, and she would be willing to work with us if there are less than eight and still offer a good deal! As it includes two meals a day, and has it's own swimming pool, not to mention being close to the beach, I think it would be a lot of fun...I've never stayed at a 'villa' before with actual hired help, and it might be fun. All we would need would be a little extra for the lunch meal, and we would have to pay the help to go and get anything we want to drink..other things grow like weeds so they wouldn't be too hard to find, lol.

:afro:

How about if we each individual price things, or what I would like if you can let me know what city you live in/will be coming from, and I can find the cheapest price for air to Jamaica and back.

So I am expecting a rush of pm's now... :;):

anyway, I'm hopin that when folks find out how cheap it actually is they might go for it..if not, then I will be willing to go where ya'll are, after we create a separate thread and vote on it. I guess first things first..how many actually really want to go...and if you can only go if it is a certain location, say that too.

[DontBeAfraid]

Wow, you really really like jamaica.

[medicvet]

hon, once you go, you know. :;):

Seriously tho, I fell in love, my first time out the gate..not with a man..but with a nation..Jamaica...and remember in the states we have 'e pluribus unum'...and the slogan of Jamaica is, out of many , one.

Jamaica has more churches per square mile than any other country in the world.

I went the first time last year and fell in love..not with a person, but with a nation. The second time I went was this past July, and I was robbed the day before I left. I then found out that if you are real, they don't care about your money, they just want to know you. I went back to visit some people having craft work to sell just like last year, and when I explained to Bobo and Auntie about my robbery, they told me up front, just pick what you want, we know you will send the money to us. So I got some paintings andcarvings and some cloth..

And then sent $100 in the beginning of september, when it really should have been the first of august, but I lost the piece of paper that had the address and name to send it to, and begged fellow members of Trip Advisor.com to get the info so I could send the money. They came through and I sent a hundred..the bill is 140 and I want to send another hundred, since they have been so wonderful and since I know they need it so much...but that is just me.

I just think it would be really awesome if my friends I have formed online at this forum could come to Jamaica and experience the same wonderfullness that I have!

and believe it or not it can be done inexpensively; if not how in the the heck would I be able to do it, lol!

[medicvet]

Okay, it's time to find out where the most of people who want to do the get together next July want to be at..I will put the ones most commmented on, so here goes:

I want to have an AO get together at:

Sin City: Las Vegas

Toronto

Vancounver/Train Trip

NYC-take a bit out of the big apple

Jamaica..OH YEAH!

[DontBeAfraid]

hon, once you go, you know. I hate heat.


Jamaica has more churches per square mile than any other country in the world.I hate churches....


I then found out that if you are real, they don't care about your money, they just want to know you. I dont want them to know the real me....


Naw Im just kidding Im sure its wonderful.

[medicvet]

I don't know why I even mentioned that church tidbit as I have never been to a church in Jamaica, just found out recently about that factoid and thought it interesting. I spend most of my vacation in a truly 'rastafarian' fashion, floating on crystal clear waters with a righteous buzz. :smokin:

And loving every little bite of lobster caught that morning with rice and peas and calloloo.mmmmmmmmm.

Yah, okay, I might have a ...SLIGHT prejudice in favor of Jamaica I would concede, lol! My goal in life is to eventually actually be able to move there and live in Jamaica. Both times I went, I met people who have done just that and moved from Canada or the US and are living on the retirement or disability money from the states. I found out recently that if a veteran lives in mexico or the caribbean that they are still qualifed for medical care; you see docs there and pay and they reimburse you, or docs will treat a patient there and wait for the payment to arrive..it doesn't happen that often that way, but at least the medical care was one of my fiew obstacles to living there. Hopefully I will even be able to do it within the next five to seven years. So yah, I'm a Negrilaholic, lol!:Blbl:

:D

[medicvet]

Okay, if I promise not to mention Negril again (except to say I'm going next month ::p: ), can we start thinking about this get together thing for next summer?

I think it would be logical to meet at a large city that has a lot to do, someplace like Vegas (I've only driven through) or New York City (been a few times, but never long enough), or didn't someone mention Toronto? What would we do there? Isn't that like, Canada, eh you hoster?:cool03: ::p: ::D:

[Harry61]

Vegas baby! no one would ever suspect a group of us low lifes invading their town. Pretty easy to get to, I can drive, or fly (maybe)

International flight go in and out all day, we can get a cheap group rate I am sure.

Party on dudes!

[medicvet]

You know I think Vegas might be a good meeting point because they have cheap flights there from practically anywhere all the time, and then I hear you pay ten bucks for a huge steak dinner and if you are there playing you get free drinks, and there are lots of nice rooms that can be had and I want to go on that rollercoaster on the building and hey, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Oh me in sin city, that would be a blast, lol!:cool03::bounce:

So, c'mon now, how do ya'll feel about Vegas? I'm sure I could do that and find a cheap flight, and others can too... ::):

[medicvet]

So can anyone sound off on whether they would be willing to go to Vegas for a get together next summer? I'm one..now anyone else???

[TC]

Well I'm on, if I'm not dead or in jail..lol (don't think I have any warrants in that county)

[ApocalypticEnvoy]

My idea of a vacation is camping next to a lake so I can enjoy the beauty of nature. Nothing beats sitting around a campfire with friends and shooting the breeze. Not to mention cooking the fish you caught that day. From some of the suggestions that have been proposed, it doesn't appear that many of you share my enthusiasm with the great outdoors. The train ride is the closest but but for the money spent in 2 days you could do a week camping.

[Sammy56]

Yeah, Vegas is great...if you're 21.

[Smoke]

In montreal, the legal age for everything is 18,

you can smoke in bars still, and smoke pot in bars... in some places its like the wild west, mainly i compare it to the redlight district in sweeden.

[Cartesiantheater]

Well tossle my asparagus and call me a shaven kitten!

I'm moving to Canada. I mean, that with the health care? Yeah.

[Harry61]

My idea of a vacation is camping next to a lake so I can enjoy the beauty of nature. Nothing beats sitting around a campfire with friends and shooting the breeze. Not to mention cooking the fish you caught that day. From some of the suggestions that have been proposed, it doesn't appear that many of you share my enthusiasm with the great outdoors. The train ride is the closest but but for the money spent in 2 days you could do a week camping.

Grand canyon is only about 30 minutes from Vegas, there is also a mountain resort I have been to 30 to 40 miuntes from Vegas, And Cali desert for motorcross is about 1 or so south of Vegas, best of both worlds.

And Sammy there is so much more to do in Vegas besides gambling and drinking. My favorite was the Elvis shows, there are everywhere and they are free.

*ppppsssstttt, I know kids who drink there, nobody really checks*****:cool03:

[DontBeAfraid]

And Sammy there is so much more to do in Vegas besides gambling and drinking.ya, Just about every attractive female on the strip will have sex with you for for money. And every fifth or sixth person you pass will sell you some yay.

[medicvet]

What is yay? Is it coke? Or weed?

Anyway, I absolutely LOVE to go camping! Especially camping somewhere where one can swim and/or fish. The Grand Canyon sounds great. And for those who don't want to rough it in tents, I am sure that there are rv rentals, and those who have rv's already can bring them, and we can sit around the campfire and shoot the shit at night. They even have a few relatively inexpensive motels that look out right on the canyon........

And it is true, that we could spend a week camping and still spend less than two days in Vegas....

I'm game. :bounce:

[Smoke]

yay is coke medic, the frosty goodness.

derrived from Yayo

[medicvet]

Yayo? What is that? And I don't snort coke..I only smoke it..:insomnia: ::p:

Okay, seriously, I looked into it, and remember how ya'll liked the train trip idea? They have a train that goes around a part of the Grand Canyon, then you spend a night or two in a motel in town, then go back the other way on the train. How does that sound?

Check out the site for yourself:

http://www.railsnw.com/Tours/grand/grand-canyon-railway.htm

I think it would be pretty neat. :D