Next year in Europe!

[tigger2376]

Definately think next one should be in europe! In the meantime, if I start researching places to stay etc how about a mini UK gathering in Feb next year? Or anytime else? Am prepared to put the time in if people are up for it!

[Ann]

Hi Tigger,

I'm definitely interested, but I'm not so sure about February though - my finances are usually still struggling at that time of year after the holidays.

But yeah, I'm definitely interested!

Ann

[Jody]

Eurpoe sounds great next year...Maybe Springtime in Amsterdam, London would be cool or Spain???

Anyway I am off to San Fran in about half hour...Take care.

Jody 

[Cerrid]

Yay! Let's Go Europe!

Not in February though (too dark and too chilly, unless we meet in Gran Canaria). 

[scud44]

Can we have a Mini-Meet in Australia some time soon?

regards
Scuddles

[alberche]

That would be great to meet!!!

I am in Spain, so let me know whether you come or not, I could just jump to UK or wherever, or if you decide to come to Spain I could help you organizing it ;-)

Hughs!!!

[Miss Philicia]

I have airline mileage I could use -- in fact I think I'm going to France in the Spring.

dollar is SOOOOOO weak though

We need an East Coast AMG!!!

[MOONLIGHT1114]

I echo Philly....and LOUDLY. 

WE NEED AN EAST COAST AMG!

 

[Miss Philicia]

YES AND IN PHILADELPHIA!!!

easy day trips to NYC from here... and not as expensive

[northernguy]

I would agree with Europe.  Haven't the last three been in North America?  There are cheap charter flights from Canada, wouldn't there be from the USA as well?

[MOONLIGHT1114]

East Coast!.....AMG!......East Coast!......AMG!

~Cindy
(who got "Most School Spirit" in HS)

[Moffie65]

AMG 05 was held in Toronto, which is in very close proximity to the EAST Coast.
AMG 06 was held in Montreal, which is in very close proximity to the EAST Coast.
AMG 07 is in San Francisco which is in very close proximity to the EAST Coast for those living in Europe, Austrailia, New Zeland, Africa, Asia and any other part of the world.

I would suggest that an AMG in Europe is probably about time!

Love,

[Miss Philicia]

You *DO* realize how expensive Europe is right now don't you?  The exchange rate is atrocious.

Let's do Puerto Rico!!!  I'd even love Mexico City.

Anyway, most of the board members are in the US... so logic dictates that's where it's often going to be.  London and Paris are simply out of the question.

I could be convinced to do the south of France however... I'm always about Antibes -- it's in my blood.

Corsica could be cute... and off the beaten path.  Pricey I'm sure though... all the Sardinia crew has decamped. 

How about Split in Dalmatia?   We can party at Diocletian's Palace!

[carousel]

You *DO* realize how expensive Europe is right now don't you? 

Yep, I live here  , like a sizeable minority of those who come to this site.


A European gathering sounds great.  It's been done before, on a smaller scale than the AMG and ran at a different time than the larger North American gathering.  Can't see why it can't happen again, everybody invited. 

February might be a bit cold in London, or then again we might have a heatwave knowing our weather.

Madrid maybe? if it was Feb.

Jo, thanks for suggesting this and for offering to help set it up.  If you need any help, let me know.

[scud44]

Come down to Australia - February is great in Feb or March - Sydney or Melbourne - Matty can be the doorman and keep out the riff raff!


Aussie - Aussie - Aussie - OI OI OI !!!!!!

[Miss Philicia]

Maybe we should start having two AMG's -- ones in Europe and ones in North America.  These gatherings are getting larger each year and otherwise will quickly become unwieldy.  Also, many of us are on disability/fixed incomes and can't easily go overseas.

Australia is too far away for any person to visit, EVER.  I'd need 120 mg of klonopin just for that long ass plane trip, PLUS it would need to at least be in business class.

[mrtallguy]

The GREAT news is, of course, that we have SO many options....and since this years SFO event approached 50 people....PHILLY your idea of 2 events is a very good idea.....I rarely saw many people due to the size of this group in SFO.  OR perhaps an east coast event....west coast event, and European event!!

Think BIG  ( i always do!!  )

From super fun SFO!!

Craig

[DCGUY2007]

Europe sounds great. I willl be there again next July. I vote for Madrid too. That is one place I haven't been and in February weather should be ok. Than again Philadelphia is nice too. Two gatherings also sound great. As soon as I rob a bank all of it sounds great :-)

[tigger2376]

Glad I've got some interest! spains a great idea but will need a spanish speaker/international/experienced person to help me out there! Only suggested london (yes I know hideously expensive but sure we can accomodate most people amongst members) because all my contacts are here, but evidently there MAY be an opportunity on the Isle of Man for a venue. OK, our weather is horrid so maybe Spain a good option but I know a lot of people in uk would just like it to be here. A 'split' AMG...two veues may work BUT even with specialist insurance if you are on meds its a risk coming to US wheras UK completely fine...not being biased, just factual
Re weather, what about JUNE 2008 wherever? Vote please!

[milker]

Barcelona or Caracas

Milker (who would wear a pink Boa)

[Miss Philicia]

Oh, I may be in Caracas in March actually on the way to Los Roques archipelago.

[carousel]

I thought Madrid might be more comfortable if it was early in the year with the weather.

I agree that London is more obvious in terms of numbers and having possible places for people to stay, which will be less expensive for those who can't afford hotels.

It would be of course be easier for me, I live here.

I was wondering if this thread should be moved or linked to the off topic forum.  It might get more responses.

[Miss Philicia]

I could stay at my ex-partner's flat in London... well, if we were still talking

asshole

[Dachshund]

As long as we are able to accommodate all of Philly's needs everything should be fine.

I think London would be a fab choice for the next AMG. I've been there several times and believe you me I was able to do it on the cheap. Either London or Amsterdam...dear God what am I thinking?

[Miss Philicia]

As long as we are able to accommodate all of Philly's needs everything should be fine.

Thanks for being the loving, caring and supportive individual that I know you are.

~air kisses~

I *do* love London, and in fact almost moved there six years ago.  For love, naturally... though I'm the furthest thing from a hopeless romantic that there is.

[woodshere]

I have one question is there any nationality that philly has not experienced?

Just had to ask.....

[comino]

AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM !   

[Miss Philicia]

I have one question is there any nationality that philly has not experienced?

Just had to ask.....

When you live in NYC as long as I did you're just bound to plant your seed all over the world without even leaving city limits... there's just so many people from all over living there.  I even scored someone from the Seychelles.   He was quite memorable too -- met him at a club and in the cab on the way to his apartment the only thing he said to me, in a really sleazy accent, was "So do you like big uncut dicks?"

And it was... he also urinated all over me twice. 

Amusingly he worked at the UN.

[alberche]

Amsterdam could be a nice place to meet!!!

Also Lisbon, and Barcelone or Madrid. But better as from march, Madrid is still cold in february, not as much as London but... Lisbon or Barcelone are warmer at that period and they have the seasight!!!!

Prices: London is terribly expensive... Madrid is cheaper and Lisbon is simply one of the best price/quality cities in Europe regarding food, hosting and transportation.

I also would love to go to a meeting in the US... but I'am afraid we all living out of the US would have some problems to be let inside the States being poz...

Hugs from Madrid :-)

[newt]

Do you know how UNCIVIL flying iinto London airports (which are not anyhow in London) is these days...go to the mainland

[Miss Philicia]

I had a horrendous experience at CDG last year.

[Ann]

Amsterdamnit!

[tigger2376]

Right...someone will have to teach me how to put one of those 'poll'/vote type things on this thread. Then we'll see where to go from here. its a relatively short space of time so please bear in mind practicalities, and let me know what kind of activities (philly....no!  ) you would like provided, how structured you want things...whatever!

[Miss Philicia]

Amsterdam works for me because they make the very best poppers in the world there.

[mrtallguy]

Amsterdamnit!

Ann I'm with you on that one!!

Barcelona or Caracas

Milker (who would wear a pink Boa)

Milker:  hopefully that is ALL you would wear!! 

Craig (who starts to WOOF when he thinks of Milker)

[Ann]

Hey Philly,

Once you pop, you just can't stop, eh?

Ann

[woodshere]

Right...someone will have to teach me how to put one of those 'poll'/vote type things on this thread. Then we'll see where to go from here. its a relatively short space of time so please bear in mind practicalities, and let me know what kind of activities (philly....no!  ) you would like provided, how structured you want things...whatever!

I think a poll is a very good idea. After reading the great posts from this year's AMG I definitely want to attend the next one.   And while Europe would be a great location for next year's AMG, I do think you should put the US as an option, since as was said earlier in a post the bulk of members and of this years attendees were from the states.  Of course is this was like a midyear gathering in Europe, I am in need of some outstanding poppers and think philly is on to something.

Thanks,
Woods

[Ann]

Before we start a poll on this subject, I think it's worth clarifying if we are talking about a REGIONAL Gathering, or the annual AMG.

As the original post in this thread can no longer be modified, a poll cannot be added to this thread, so a new thread would have to be started for a poll. But as I say, it would be helpful if we first established whether we are talking regional or annual.

Ann

[woodshere]

Before we start a poll on this subject, I think it's worth clarifying if we are talking about a REGIONAL Gathering, or the annual AMG.

As the original post in this thread can no longer be modified, a poll cannot be added to this thread, so a new thread would have to be started for a poll. But as I say, it would be helpful if we first established whether we are talking regional or annual.

Ann

Excellent point and idea.

[Miss Philicia]

Of course is this was like a midyear gathering in Europe, I am in need of some outstanding poppers and think philly is on to something.

Thanks,
Woods

Indeed!

(and yes Ann, once you pop you can't stop)

[Miss Philicia]

Before we start a poll on this subject, I think it's worth clarifying if we are talking about a REGIONAL Gathering, or the annual AMG.

As the original post in this thread can no longer be modified, a poll cannot be added to this thread, so a new thread would have to be started for a poll. But as I say, it would be helpful if we first established whether we are talking regional or annual.

Ann

Why don't we first take a poll asking if AMG should be held as two yearly events, one in North America (frankly we all know the bulk of members are from here, or that's what I assume -- do you have stats on this accessible Miss Ann?) and one elsewhere outside of North America, which we can assume will be continental Europe for now. 

Then once that poll is complete depending on the result we can start one on a location, or two locations. (?)

[Ann]

Philly,

Why don't we first take a poll asking if AMG should be held as two yearly events, one in North America (frankly we all know the bulk of members are from here, or that's what I assume -- do you have stats on this accessible Miss Ann?) and one elsewhere outside of North America, which we can assume will be continental Europe for now. 

Then once that poll is complete depending on the result we can start one on a location, or two locations. (?)

I'll speak to Peter about the stats.

I think the question of how to handle North America vs Elsewhere is a good idea for a first poll. How would people like one to be set up? What questions, whether to allow vote changes, that sort of thing.

Ideas on a post-card, please.

Ann

[woodshere]

Ideas on a post-card, please.

I am a computer dummy, what is a post-card and how do i send one....

[Ann]

Um, you know, a post-card. Like a post? A reply?

[allanq]

For those living in the U.S., a crucial question concerning an AMG in Europe would be the cost.

Before doing a poll, I think it would be a good idea to get some rough estimates on the cost for transportation and accommodations in various European locations.

From the west coast of the U.S., the cheapest flights to Europe are to London, and those currently cost around $1,000 round trip. The dollar is at an all-time low against the euro and the pound, and that will also have a strong impact on American attendees. The last time I was in Europe (London & Rome) was 2004, and prices then were astronomical, especially in London. With the decline of the dollar, I'm sure it's much worse now.

Don't get me wrong--I would love to have an AMG in Amsterdam, London, Lisbon, or in any other European city. It's just that I don't know how we can get around the fact that it would be prohibitively expensive for a majority of Americans.

AllanQ

[Ann]

Hi Alan,

My take on what Philly was saying is - can we discuss whether alternatiing years would be an idea. Going to North America is prohibitive for the majority of our European members - and we do have a sizeable amount of Europeans attending Gatherings. Australia/New Zealand are considerations for coming years as well.

Perhaps that's the bones of the first poll - do we alternate other global locations with North America, with NA hosting every other year?

Ann

[milker]

One thing is sure, there won't be enough space on Ann's rock for everyone to fit ! Wherever this happens, it has to be big!

Milker.

[Miss Philicia]

Indeed.  It's quite likely that if it's in Europe next year I will not attend, but in fairness the past 3 have been in North America.  If I lived in Europe and posted here I'd be rather peeved personally.

There is nothing written in stone that someone needs to attend annually, though I know many here desire to do so. 

[mjmel]

Europe or North America alternates: Cool!  I've never been to Europe and it sounds tempting, indeed. Wouldn't go it alone but an AMG group gathering is great vibe. Exceptional, in fact.

One cost-saving strategy: roomshares of 4 or 6. No hostels (for me). Some can do well with 'em but too public for me.

When I was planning a trip to Nice, France, I looked into renting a one room apartment for a week. As a lone renter, it wasn't so much of an accommodations savings except that I had a kitchenette for preparing meals. (That's substantial savings in itself.) Nevertheless, there were apartments large enough to sleep six. Foursomes are more manageable, IMO. The individual rates for 4 people was at or slightly less than what we paid in SF at the Powell.
A deposit was required, of course. Likely, the exchange rate has increased the overall costs since it's been a couple of years since I priced the trip. But how bad could it be splitting roomshare 4 ways?

Mike

[woodshere]

I think the alternating idea is probably the most fair or just do 2 a year approx 6 mths apart, one in US and one in Europe.  Those fortuante enough could do both or just one.  If it did go to Europe once every other year, maybe the year it is in Europe, those of us in the states could organize gatherings throughout the states, like east, west, north and south.  One doesn't want to get fragmented with gatherings everywhere, but at the same time, I would hate to have to wait 2 more years till one was held that I could afford to attend.