So where are they and what are they doing? (page 7 of 33)

Pondychérie, I arrived as early as 2012 when some were already legends.

I’ve read through some of the writings of those folks and wasn’t always convinced. I mean, there are styles you’ve got to be able to appreciate. Some of the San Antonio travel journal entries, for example, just don’t sit well with me. At my level, reading books is enough when it comes to literature—I’ve actually stuck with paper books on purpose. When it comes to travel, though, I prefer something dynamic, visual, contemporary, and illustrated.

Each generation produces different authors, of course. At least on VF, there was something for everyone. We’ll see if that keeps up.

VoyageForum travel journals are one of my sources of inspiration for my travel plans—they bring emotion, details, and warnings. That said, I tend to skim over the ones about the USA because they’re exhausting and keep repeating the same topics.

If the literary quality is there, all the better. And when humor and mischief are added, like in Yangguizi’s case, you get someone with such a zest for life and a hearty appetite. It takes the travel journal to another level—it becomes a delightful chronicle.

I only went to North Korea directly after reading his account of that unusual country. Remember his Miss Li, or his desire to get the "Good Korean" badge—that little pin that instantly shows whether the wearer has been handpicked by the regime and is trustworthy, like my two guides and my driver, for example.

As for VF, I wanted to stay in my corner after the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine, but I rediscovered how friendly you all are and how many great memories we share.

Well, yes, all controversial topics must disappear from the forum, VF is going to turn the forum into a self-righteous space in the end....

Did I write that all controversies should disappear?

No.

And the topic that we should move on from has much more of a place on a medical forum than on a travel forum...

After that, if you want to keep going in circles about it, you might end up doing it alone...

Le Bitin, I think

I had a great time at Le Bitin.

I wasn’t familiar with the concept of the Danish open-faced sandwich.

As someone who doesn’t like sandwiches where the bread makes up 95% of the dish, I was thrilled!

A fantastic lunch memory from the Faroe Islands! 😛

After that, there weren’t many others—when hiking, it’s picnic time.

One last little one from the airport, then, since it’s your favorite treat 🙂.

For the rest, I completely disagree with your point of view, which would reduce what happened to a medical issue—something we could move past once the threat was gone and things seemed back to normal. It’s much more serious than that. The facts are extremely grave, and the temptation remains strong for a certain kind of society—one that, in any case, I want no part of at any cost.

Michel

Oh, I gave the impression that a travel journal could involve a flight—that’s what’s hitting you?

No, I couldn’t care less about that.

But jumping into a discussion where someone says they’re not interested in the topic—that doesn’t hit me (a bit strong of a word, no?), but I do find it kind of funny.

A travel journal about the Faroe Islands, for example, is a rarity and all the more valuable for other travelers (I speak from experience with other off-the-beaten-path destinations). But luckily, others do create them.

Let’s also remember that an important part of the forum is the "travel journals" section

You’re absolutely right! 😛

Good evening Francois-Zorba,

As for VF, I wanted to keep to myself after the COVID earthquake and the war in Ukraine; and I rediscovered that you were all so friendly and tied to so many great memories.

It was a good call of yours to write again. It’s a pleasure to read you once more, and on top of that, you’ve got a Greek pseudonym... It really brought a big smile to my face to see Cupda-gros son-Tadjikistan pop back up (an old memory from their profile), so essentially spot-on.

Catherine

Hello,

But jumping into a discussion where someone says they’re not interested in the topic—it doesn’t really click with me (a bit harsh as a verb, no?), but I find it kind of amusing.

Glad I could entertain you; that’s so rare these days.

I checked out MyAtlas to read a few bits from your travel journals, just to be sure I knew what we were talking about. I browsed through Russia, the Baltics, Germany... Truth is, I’m not at all interested in the kind of travel you do, and therefore even less in reading about it in journal form. Anything I could tell you about the Faroe Islands would only disappoint you.

Michel

Hello,

But jumping into a discussion where someone says they’re not interested in the topic—it doesn’t hit me (a bit strong of a verb, no?), but I find it amusing.

Glad I could entertain you; it’s so rare these days.

I went on MyAtlas to read a few bits from your travel journals, just to be sure I knew what we were talking about. I browsed Russia, the Baltics, Germany... Truth is, I’m not at all interested in the kind of travel you do, and therefore even less in reading about it in journal form. What I could tell you about the Faroe Islands would only disappoint you.

Michel

To me, your comment doesn’t belong in this thread. It has nothing to do with the topic. Why not message the person privately instead of going off-topic?

In my opinion, your comment doesn’t belong in this thread. It has nothing to do with the topic. Why not message the person privately instead of going off-topic?

Long discussions about intersecting themes, tangents, and informal public exchanges are kind of VF’s DNA. In forum de discussion, there’s discussion.

Michel

In my opinion, your comment doesn’t belong in this thread. It has nothing to do with the topic. Why not message the person directly instead of going off-topic?

Long discussions on intersecting themes, tangents, and informal public exchanges are kind of VF’s DNA. In forum de discussion, there’s discussion.

Michel

From what I recall, it’s “«But where are they and what are they doing?»”! Not about whether you liked what someone posted or not! Oh well, do as you please—I won’t linger any longer. Have a nice day or evening; for me, it’ll be evening—I’m in Cambodia

Hi,

To me, your comment doesn’t belong in this thread.

Oh yes, it does—it perfectly shows why so many people don’t want to come back!

Oh yes, on the contrary, it shows why many don’t want to come back!

So for you, the fact that some discussions—with very open themes and broad topics, like this one—lead to digressions, as has always been the case on VF in a liberal and open spirit, is a reason some people don’t come back? Really? Seriously? I find that idea a bit odd. Or maybe I’m just misunderstanding it. 🤪

Michel

It was such a genuine pleasure to see Cupda-gros on the Tajikistan (an old profile memory) pop up again—so essentially fitting.

😊 UnaMilanese with many names

I’m replying to Jojoone1 to "stay on topic": for my part, I wasn’t coming back because I was sulking since VF still hadn’t let me know it was back up.

Who remembers Taamaden, Herbert—a German who spoke perfect French and discussed literature—and Pataugas, who wrote a novel set in Australia where she herself lived, and Glatch, the impulsive, teasing, and hilarious Agathe?

Taamaden recently resurfaced to talk about African literature. Pataugas had dropped off the radar long ago (brief digression: want me to put her novel back on Amazon? ), and Glatch hadn’t lost her charm under later pseudonyms.

It seems those three weren’t "binge travelers" or "frenzied contributors." After all, traveling and participating in this forum are probably two separate things.

Still, perseverance is diabolical.

Hi,

That’s exactly it—I’m fed up! !

Hello,

In my opinion, your comment doesn’t belong in this thread.

Oh yes, it does—it perfectly shows why so many people don’t want to come back!

So in a thread about cars, you’re going to talk about boats and spam everyone? Got it!

Hello,

So in a car thread, you’re going to talk about boats and pollute everyone’s feed? I see!

What these gentlemen are doing is called a digression—a delicate embroidery around the main topic, though not entirely unrelated (if we strip it down to the basics: "Right now, the main draw of VF is the travel journal section, and I find the ones you write uninteresting, so I have no reason to participate," it’s not even related anymore).

Saying this "pollutes everyone" is a bit of a collective speech grab, which feels unpleasant. Sure, it might pollute a few, irritate many, bore some, and amuse the rest—myself included. In the series "Grumpy (or Grumpy Smurf?) crashes the party," right in the middle of the episode "The very polite company exchanges refined thoughts on travel journals," it’s quite well done, I think.

Since I’m here, @Kurtinet: registered in 2021, so for you, the forum norm is silence—if you’re already "fed up" after less than 4 months, while we’re, at least in the sections I frequent, happy to reconnect with such calm, smiling courtesy ("Would you care for another drop of your preferred drink, my dear? Allow me to gently nuance your point," etc.), I do worry for you. It’s hard to rule out that one day we might end up sniping at each other’s shins.

Where’s Zurab? Where’s CatherineGil? Halo? Vazyvite? Mvbergen? And that lovely, very original (if not exactly flattering) orange hat whose username I’ve forgotten? Mékong reappeared yesterday. With a bit of luck, Mariecurry will post something other than missing person notices. ....

Catherine

Since I started the discussion, I think most of the answers have been covered. I’m happy with that because there were some possibilities I hadn’t even considered.

After that, if the conversation evolves, shifts, or changes direction—like at family meals or parties—it’s not a big deal, and it’s actually part of VF’s DNA.

To some of you, I’d say: Come on, try to make your points instead of just trading blame.