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International Travel Meeting - Sunday Feb. 7 @ 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time

Who’s ready for another International Travel Meeting? If you enjoy talking about travel and interacting with others that share the same passion, then this is the place for you.

There will be a limit to the number of participants. It has been determined that more than 25 is too many. You must reply to this thread to be invited. The first 24 people to respond will be admitted to the meeting. I can send more invites in case any of the those 24 people don't log in. We will have a 10 minute grace period starting at 9:30 a.m. After that any others still in the 'waiting room' can be admitted, up to a total of 24 people. So far each month anyone who was in the waiting room has been admitted because inevitably some people aren’t able to join in as they had planned. If someone finds they can’t participate after all, I would appreciate it if you can let me know as soon as you know.

Each month there will be a couple of topics to discuss. More suggestions are welcome for future months. Of course we will discuss other things as well.

Topics for this month -

  • Solo Travel - Tips, advice, pros & cons
  • Travel Apps

Please let me know in a reply to this post or with a PM if you are interested. I will then email the Zoom meeting link. If you have participated previously I already have your email address. If you haven’t you will need to send it in a PM.

Posted by
4525 posts

I'd like to join. As a solo traveler, this is right up my alley...and no conflicts for a change. I have sent you a PM with my details. Thanks Andrea

Posted by
1279 posts

Andrea, I would like to join the meeting and talk about solo travel. Thanks

Posted by
16024 posts

Please add me to the list. I have no conflict this time and will be there promptly at 9:30!

Posted by
3200 posts

I am interested, particularly in the solo travel discussion. I assume you are thinking 9:30 PCT? 12:30 EST?

Posted by
10177 posts

Hi Wray, the meeting will start at 9:30 Pacific, so 12:30 Eastern. Please PM me with your email address.

Posted by
10177 posts

I’ve sent the Zoom link to everyone who has requested to join, with the exception of Wray. I’m waiting for her email address. Please let me know if you didn’t receive the invite.

Posted by
324 posts

Looking forward to the solo travel discussion. Please include me. Thank you .

Posted by
5697 posts

Me, too, please! Although my "solo" travel has largely been restricted to business trips to NYC (Theater! Museums! )

Posted by
169 posts

I would love to join, if you have the room. Thank you!

Posted by
10177 posts

SUSAN, I sent you a private message.

Posted by
123 posts

Hello, Andrea. Hope you have room for another!!

Posted by
18 posts

Hello Andrea,
Hope you are doing well.
If there is still room would you mind signing me up for this? You should already have my email address.
These topics interest me and I'd love to join in on the meeting.
Thank you,
Ann Forkey

Posted by
282 posts

Hi, Andrea. I’d love to attend and discuss solo travel. Thanks.

Posted by
364 posts

Would love to attend. Have sent you a PM.
Thanks,
Joann

Posted by
10177 posts

Wow! I can’t believe it but the spots are all taken and it took less than 24 hours to do it. I think the solo travel topic is of great interest. We may not even get to the other topic this month, which would be okay. We’ll see how the timing goes.

If anyone else would like to participate please don’t hesitate to let me know. Two people who responded haven’t provided me with an email address yet and some others will find they have a conflict and can’t make it. So far, in past months, anyone who I’ve told will have to stay in the waiting room to see if there’s space for them haven’t had to wait at all.

Posted by
10177 posts

I’ve sent the link to everyone, except for the two who haven’t provided their email. Please let me know if you didn’t receive yours.

Posted by
1113 posts

Hi Andrea, I would like to join too if a spot opens up. Thanks!

Posted by
11 posts

I would also like to join if space becomes available.

Alan

Posted by
5187 posts

Wow! This is a very popular meeting!

Please add me to the waiting list!

Posted by
10177 posts

Priscilla, it’s crazy isn’t it! I’ll put you on the list.

Posted by
10177 posts

Big Mike, I haven’t received any PM’s from you. Please try again.

Posted by
4525 posts

Big Mike, tray again. I don't know what's been happening with the PM system, but many of mine never actually seem to leave my drafting box. I hit send, and then get some blank screen. I now check my sent box to make sure they have actually gone. It can take 3 or 4 attempts before I can see they were sent. Posting here works fine, but not so much the PM system....particularly using my phone.

Posted by
10177 posts

Big Mike, I just sent you a PM and it looks like it went through after trying 4 times.

Posted by
7124 posts

Andrea, if there’s room or for the waiting list, I am interested.

My husband and I have traveled together several times. For the last two trips, I traveled solo in 2018 on my own itinerary for three weeks in Italy. The 2019 trip was a combo - two weeks solo travel in France and he joined me for Week 3. Just sharing this to say that I have experience seeing both the positive pros & a few cons of solo travel.

Posted by
796 posts

Hi Andrea , please add me to the waiting list if that is possible. Thanks! June

Posted by
10177 posts

There’s a lot of interest in this meeting, so I have some ideas.

Nigel very kindly explained how extra people can be put into an overflow room, where they could hear and see, but not participate. As the first 24 begin to drop off people in the holding room can take their places. I’ve never done this before, so I’m not sure how it would work out with someone as technology challenged as I am.

Another option is that we can break this meeting into two sessions, at 9:30 and 12:30.

I’d like to take a vote.

Option 1 - Leave the meeting as is. One 9:30 meeting. As of right now we have 7 people that would be in the waiting room if all the others log in. I expect that number may increase. People would be admitted in order of their original response to the meeting thread.

Option 2 - Nigel’s suggestion of one meeting with the extra people in the holding room, able to see and hear but not participate. See above for how people can move from the holding room to the meeting.

Option 3 - Two meetings at 9:30 and 12:30 Pacific Time

I hope this isn’t too confusing. I’m looking forward to seeing how you all feel about these ideas.

Posted by
297 posts

Hi Andrea, I would like to join again as well, either to the wait list or holding room. Hoping option 2 may work so as to not miss a word :)

Posted by
3938 posts

Hi Andrea. I hadn’t responded yet but we’d like a spot in the overflow “room” and I’d vote for Option 2.

Posted by
7124 posts

Hi Andrea, my preference would be Option 2, also, for this popular topic.

If you decide to break it into two different sessions, you might want to offer one of them as solo travelers who travel with a tour, such as the RS tours. The second one could be solo travelers who travel independently.

Posted by
2417 posts

There's enough self-sorting and segregation and cliques already - we want to hear from a variety of perspectives, not just more preaching to our own choirs!

Posted by
324 posts

I (and others) would fit in both categories suggested by Jean. Doing a RS tour with solo time before and/or after. I'm interested in input on both, so would prefer the subject not be separated.

Posted by
3200 posts

I agree with both of Lynn’s comments.

BUT I will add that if option 2 causes enough stress for you so that you won’t enjoy the meeting as much, don’t do it. Stick with your original plan.

Posted by
10177 posts

Okay, one meeting it is. Who wants to help me out so I can see how the holding room will work? Is anyone willing to be a guinea pig? If you’re willing and able to help we can do this at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time Sunday, 1/31. When I know who’s interested I’ll send out a link. Thanks for your help.

Posted by
297 posts

Hi Andrea, I can help with testing the holding room tomorrow at 2

Posted by
10177 posts

I think having multiple people will be better. I want to try some in the regular meeting, some in the holding room, then moving people from the holding room to the main meeting.

Posted by
5697 posts

Sure, send me an invitation for Sunday at 2 -- I was having withdrawal pains for a whole weekend without travel meeting.
Lauri

Posted by
32512 posts

I can help tonight for a short period. Your 2pm is my 10pm and we have groceries arriving at 7am in the morning and need sleep.

I am very happy to help but can't stick around for long...... if that's of any use

Posted by
984 posts

If you need more help with the test I can help.

Posted by
10177 posts

Nigel, I would love for you to be able to walk me through this in real time. Would 1:00 p.m. Pacific (9:00 for you) work better. Would that work for the rest of you kind people who are offering to help?

Posted by
282 posts

Hi, Andrea, I can be part of the test group if you need more people. I could do either 1:00 or 2:00 pm Pacific time.

Posted by
10177 posts

Nigel, I definitely want to make C. happy. Thanks Valerie. I hope to hear from the others as well. I’ll send out the link later, once I know who all the participants are.

Posted by
7124 posts

Hi Andrea, if you need another person for your test feel free to send me an invite.

Thanks so much for all of your work for the meeting next week!

Posted by
16024 posts

Andrea, since this meeting is so popular and I am not a "solo traveler", I would be happy to give up my spot in the "main room" to someone who can better make use of it. I am content to stay in the "holding room" where I can watch and listen, but not actively participate.

So can you move me to a low spot on the waitlist?

Posted by
10177 posts

Thanks to you all for your help. You’re the best. I’ve sent the link for 1:00 Pacific today to Nigel, Diane, mln, Travelmom, Laura B, Karen, Valerie, Lynn, CWsocial, Jean and Wanderlust.

Nigel, if possible can you log in a little early so you can walk me through this? Thanks so much for letting me know that it was possible for this to happen.

Lola, thanks for the offer of going into the holding room. I appreciate it.

Posted by
1305 posts

Andrea, I can probably be available at 1pm today for 15 or 20 minutes if that's useful.

Posted by
10177 posts

Thanks SharYn. I sent you the link.

Posted by
169 posts

Sorry, but just looked at your request for volunteers to practice. I would be happy to just see and listen. Thank you.

Posted by
10177 posts

A special thanks to everyone who volunteered to help me Sunday. I’m not sure how it will go on the 7th, but just remember that you get what you pay for. 😆

Later in the week I will be sending everyone an email with some guidelines. I’m waiting in case anyone else wants to join us.

Posted by
10177 posts

I sent an email out to everyone a few minutes ago giving you information I would like you to review before the meeting. If you didn’t receive the email or if you have any questions, please let me know.

Posted by
32512 posts

It looks like I will be free. Love to come if there's a seat in the back.

Posted by
10177 posts

Absolutely Nigel, I’m happy you can make it. I’ll send you the link.

Posted by
282 posts

Thanks, Andrea and everyone else for a very interesting and informative meeting! And thanks CWSocial for helping with the logistics of managing a larger group.

Posted by
3200 posts

I am so sorry I had to miss this meeting, but at least one of our two is now half vaccinated. So that's a plus!

Posted by
2417 posts

Another great virtual get-together -- thanks for organizing us Andrea, and thanks to everyone who shared their stories.

One great tip I take away from this meeting is how we can make use of other interests over-and-above or besides travel as a way to connect with people during trips.

Posted by
69 posts

Thanks to Andrea for setting up the meeting and to those who arranged for the overflow in the waiting room .

It was great to meet all of you, looking forward to the next meeting.
Scott

Posted by
3941 posts

What a really great meeting today! Big thanks to Andrea and the others of you behind the scenes people who helped! However now I REALLY want to go somewhere! 😂

Posted by
10177 posts

Another great meeting! It was good to see everyone and to welcome some new people. Thanks to cwsocial for helping me manage this larger than normal group. She has sent me the Chat, and I will be emailing it to everyone.

We had some good suggestions for future topics. I welcome everyone’s input for potential discussions.

Posted by
32512 posts

A really good meeting. Always good when you learn something new.

Thanks very much to Andrea for this brilliant idea, thanks to CWSocial for running the back office, Jim for techie, and everyone else - everybody had really good input.

Posted by
2667 posts

Dang! I need to pay attention to meetings and topics. Solo travel would have been sooo good for me. Next time for sure...

Posted by
740 posts

Thank you so much to everyone for such a fun virtual meeting this morning! So many great ideas/tips shared that work for all travelers! Also, I thought the addition of the active chat box worked out nicely with the bigger size group.

Posted by
4534 posts

Thanks, Andrea, I picked up some great new ideas to continue my solo travels. I loved the suggestions about food tours and I will definitely be trying those as a new way to taste the local foods and enjoy the company of fellow travelers for a few hours. I may even try some cooking classes....I can at least pretend I'd try the recipes at home.

Welcome to the new people who joined today!

Posted by
984 posts

Add my thanks for this fun meeting! It was good to hear everyone’s ideas for solo travel.

Posted by
8934 posts

Fantastic meeting! Thank you Andrea and thank you to everyone who offered their great travel tips.