" Fodorites" Get Together’s (GTGs) – How it all began
In May 1999, I went to France with my Mother, Dorothy Rosario. While planning our trip, I met several "Fodorites" on the Fodors.com European travel forum, who were also going to be in Paris. I suggested getting together at Cafe du Maggots on May 16 for drinks. Eight of us met around 5pm (see first photo below) and had a great time. It was great to put a face to a name after conversing back and forth over the Internet.
When I returned home, I decided to host another GTG in August 1999 to include people from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. Since 1999, my group has grown to about 25 people. Up until about 2004, we met on a monthly basis either at a restaurant or at my home. Some have hosted in their homes too. Everyone is talented in the kitchen and we've had some great spreads of food and wonderful conversations. I’ll typically choose an ethnic theme, which has always been fun. We now meet up about once every two or three months.
We have grown from being online friends to personal friends.
People in other States (and even overseas) now host their own GTGs. When I plan my trips, I'll set up a GTG with other travelers (friends I've met in the past, new ones I've met on fodors and SlowTrav, as well as personal friends).
If you live in this area and are interested in joining my travel group for an afternoon of fun, email me. I always have one in the works.
Monica
Disclaimer: The GTGs I host are not sponsored nor endorsed by Fodors.com or SlowTrav.com, or any of their affiliates. It is through Fodors, SlowTrav, and through friends that I have had a wonderful opportunity to meet travelers with the same passion for traveling. This group has expanded far beyond the original concept that I no longer call the group "fodorites".
With Claudette and Joe in Hohenfurch. They were in Garmish and came to our hotel to meet with us.
August 1999: Jim, Ilisa, their baby Jordana, Monica, Martha, and Tony (June took the photograph)
October 1999: Dawn F., Monica, Gina S.; sitting are Michele and Joan M. We had a great lunch at Espositos in Fairfax, VA.
The first ever "fodorite" GTG. May 1999 at Cafe Du Magots in Paris:
Mark K., Michel and Joan, Peter W., Joy K. Dorothy (my Mom), Catherine W, Monica
December 1999: Monica, Dawn F., Ilisa and Jordana O. Sitting are June B., Ann W., and Gina S. We enjoyed Espositos so much the last time, we returned there again.
March 2000 at Rio Grande in Bethesda, MD: Dawn, June, Diane, Steve, Kirk, Anne, Monica, and Tony.
April 2000: Tony and I had dinner with Kirk and Anne W. and Linda and Don from the Travelzine.
April 2000. Fodorites luncheon at Cabana Carioca in New York City. Natalie (standing on left) from Fodors.com joined Maira, also standing, and Dawn and myself. We enjoyed our Brazilian meal and great conversation, especially talking about Fodors, the forums, and Natalie's comments about upcoming improvements at Fodors.com.
May 2000 Luncheon with Steve and Diane, Kirk and Ann, Monica and Tony, and Dawn. We had a nice lunch at Cafe Europa in Bethesda.
October 2000. With Tammy Smith in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.
Tony and I had the opportunity to meet several people while in Germany in June 2000.
With Miriam and Oliver in Assmannshausen on the Rhine, June 2000.
With Bari, her Mother and sister in Rothenburg
Joy K. and I met once again in Paris (October 2000). We met near the Horses Tavern near the Odeon metro and my hotel, Grand Hotel des Balcons. We enjoyed drinks and good conversation.
Fodorites on the move! Click here to see other fodorites photos, as well as their web sites.
February 2001 luncheon at Michele's house
Dawn & Tony
Kirk & Steve
Martha & Dianne
June & Michele
Fodorite gatherings in Venice and Siena, November 2001
In Venice: Betsy, Julie, Monica, Eda (our waitress), Reenie. At restaurant Ai Cugnai in Dorsoduro, Venice.
Christine and Paul
November 10, 2001. Dinner at wonderful Cane e Gato in Siena.
Great evening with fabulous foods and great conversation with fellow fodorites.
Reenie and Miriam
Delicious dessert!
Paul, Judi, Miriam, Oliver, Monica, Christine, Paul
Reenie
Judi and Paul
Oliver and Monica
Back at our hotel in Siena, Reenie and I enjoyed our conversations with Miriam, Oliver, and Antonio and Alexandra
July 2001 luncheon at my house (second one at my house)
Susan, Joan, Michele
Monica (holding Lucy), Francesco, Dawn (holding Reilly
With my cousin Reenie
France May 2002
Alice, Tammy, Monica, and Reenie at Restaurant Breteuil
Hawaii 20 October 2002: With Lucy, Tony, Tony, Monica, Melissa, and Kalena. We enjoyed tropical drinks at the Mai Tai Bar at the Ala Moana shopping center.
November 16, 2002 at Murali's, Washington, DC
Martha, Diane, Dianne, Bob, Olivia, Monica, Bob, Tony Michele Joan, Elena
Steve, Beth, Joe, Chris
Venice 23 May 2003
Mike, Dorothy, Monica, Sam, Betty, Teresa, Tom, Gary
Miriam Berk
In Memoriam
26 August 2004
"And though thy transient life is o'er, 'Tis sweet to think that thou hast been; To think a soul so near divine, Within a form so angel fair, United to a heart like thine, Has gladdened once our humble sphere."
The poem in the center of the attached Annoucement reads:
Gave a lot to others, with love and laughter
Let herself be touched and touched others. Saw the world and the people
- and still with us and there for us.
February 11, 2006: It's been a long time since I posted photos from my luncheons. Today the group met at the Rockbottom Brewery in Bethesda, MD. We were able to enjoy the luncheon before the snow really hit the area. The food was good, but horrible service. Everyone talked about their recent trips and upcoming trips. We all had a great time today.
Louisa and Dick
Joan
Monica and Tony
Bob and Olivia
Ann and Kirk
Bob and Kirk brought their notebook computer and showed photos from their recent trips.
Michele, Kirk, and Olivia checking out the trip photos
Sandy and Ed - our newest edition to the group.
Tony, Dick, and Bob checking out photos of Machu Pichu
Exchanging business cards
Kirk with his "small" dessert
17 June 2006: My friend Melissa Change was visiting us from Hawaii, so I organized a GTG at my house.
Monica and Melissa
Melissa and June
Maureen and Mike (budman)
Bob and Tony
Louisa and Sandy
June, Ed, Howard
Anne and Kirk Louisa and Howard Olivia and Anne
Back row: Chiocciola; Karen (Karinka), Steve, Kirk, Anne, Melissa
Front row: Tony, Monica Joan (Joana) and Eric
17 June 2006: After our fun afternoon, above, Tony, Melissa and I joined up with Anne and Kirk along with some SlowTrav folks in Washington DC at a great Italian restaurant, Dinos.
Click on the thumbnails for a larger photo
Lucy played hostess to Livia and Bob's two Cocker Spaniels
10 Feb 07: We had a great lunch at Levant's in Bethesda. Great Turkish food and as always, great company. L to R: Sandy, Beth, Louisa, Monica, Ed, Tony, Ann, Jack, Venka, and Kirk. Bob and Olivia were also with us, but left before this photo was taken.
21 Apr 07: Saturday was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and perfect dry 75 degree weather. Everyone had a great time. For this luncheon, I invited several of my "cruise" group, which we'll be sailing the Mediterranean in October. Included were Monica, Tony, Mike & Maureen, June, Beth, Louisa & Steve, Ann & Jack, Venka, Sandy & Ed, Anne & Kirk, Olivia & Bob, Carolyn, Barb, Jackie & Marc.
August 11, 2007 Lunch at Guapo's in Bethesda
Jack, Anne, Beth, Dick, Marje, Louisa, Monica, Sandy, Ed
