Kathi and I will be making our 7th trip during this time. I hope to meet up with some of you again. My son Tim, age 22, will be joining us this year as well. See you in 16 days, but who is counting?

Hi James! Cynde began a list of folks who will be on the island in December so you can check there. Mark and I arrive on the 20th and leave on the 3rd so you can bet that I am counting down the days! See you are from Langhorne -- we used to live in the Philly area and are both in education as well. I would comment on being close in age but then everyone would know how old I am -- LOL. Where are you staying?

Susan, if I know Jim, they are staying at the Dive Inn.

Jim, I am soooo jealous! I just got back from a trip over Thanksgiving, and I am going back in July for 2 weeks.

Say hi to Kathi and have a safe trip. Miss you guys!

Kelly, this is our first two week trip and I am soooo excited to be having that much time there! Our oldest daughter is joining us from CA and we are looking forward to showing her "our island"! Funny thing is though that she arrives a day before us!

Since I'm staying for two weeks, I'll be interested to hear how you enjoyed it, what's different, etc. I assume you get a lot more relaxed.

Hi Kelly. Good to hear from you again. How was the Thanksgiving trip? Was Cynde down as well? You guys were too cool to hang out with in July. We had a blast. My daughter Megan is getting married this summer. I don't know if we'll be back again this summer. Susan, if you are still in education, we are probably the same age. When you get over 50, who cares? LOL Kelly hit it. We are staying at the Dive Inn. We just have a great time there. Kelly and Cynde both know how I communicate with the donkeys. We are like brothers.

Jim, sounds as if our kids are around the same ages also and we also have a daughter getting married. We should certainly try to hook up while in Bonaire -- lots to talk about! Oh .. if your age is current on your profile than you are my husband's age which is waaaaayyyyy older than me (LOL) though I am over 50 and agree with you -- who cares??

Kelly -- I will do lots of research for you on the effects of two weeks in Bonaire!

Susan, I will look forward to a full report.

Jim... ahhh yesss, I remember the donkey call. I believe Cynde has it captured forever on video. I could not stop laughing, that was hilarious.

Yes Susan. My age is correct. Although I just keep it where it was back in the profile. What part of Vermont are you from? My Uncle Ed was the Commissioner of the VT State Police for years. They used to live in Northfield, just south of Montpelier, and I would be up there quite often in the winter. I have kids 28, 27, 25, and 22. My baby, Tim, will be with us this trip. He's a very great guy, going in the Marines in June to become a pilot. My oldest, Kate, is a doctor in Denver at the Children's Hospital, Meg is a teacher, Ryan is in the FBI and Tim graduates in June. I tried to get Ryan to come with us this year as well, but he is just too busy with the current state of affairs we are in, unfortunately. Oh well, maybe next year.

By the way, I was with Kelly in her profile picture that day off of Jake's. That was another blast, the barbeque the night before, and the dive the next day.

Well well well...look who the cat drug in(dragged...you're the teach Jim...which one is it???) Jim, I didn't get to go with Kelly at Thanksgiving But I will be with her for one week in July, then the old man comes down to join me...he ain't letting me go the whole time by myself this time...Kelly and I shouldn't have had so much fun! Must have been the underwater video of us that took him over the edge...

Shoot me an email, I've tried to email you a couple of times but they bounce back (unless you have me catagorized as spam)...oh, Cheryl and Airey came west to visit us in September and the party rat's son came along...can't take those rats anywhere I swear...we spotted a couple of mullets too...oh, and for my birthday, Kelly was kind enough to send me the party rat's brother...he is really getting into the holiday spirit with the other critters...


Oh, and yes, here is the link to the list I made of folks who will be on island in December...I also know that Jake and Linda are throwing their annual New Years Day BBQ too...

Just played that video clip of you doin' the donkey thing...heee hawww...I'm so hungry, I could eat the ......

December BTalkers on Island

Cynde-
Ok, I'll be Grammar Police: it's "dragged", not "drug". All you December BTers have a great time! See you in Feb!

Hi Kate -- happy holidays! Looking forward to seeing you again in February!

Kate, thanks...I was also "testing Jim" wanted to see if a History teacher was up on his grammar You know I love ya Jim (Oh, and say hi to your beautiful wife Kathi too)

Well, if you really want to know, I'll tell you this. If you are a native Philadelphian, as I, you never say ain't without using lettin instead of letting. That's just Philadelphia protocol youz guys.

Thank Jim...so I shudda saydz "he ain't lettin' me go alonze diz time" hee hee Howz dat fer Phili protocallz...gotzta go...me lunch iz a'burnin' on da food kuker...

Kelly and Susan...you will LOVE two weeks on the island. Much more time to have fun and relax without "guilt", too. One week is such a tease to us....it's minimum of two weeks on Bonaire for us. Wish we could stay even longer, but jobs won't permit it.

Let me forewarn you, tho...it's even HARDER to leave Bonaire after you have been there for a longer period of time......just be prepared for heavy-duty PBD! Ain't life grand?! Ayo. Carole

I know I'm a newbie, but I will be arriving in Bonaire 12/17/03-12/31. Two weeks and can't wait--I'm still trying to figure out how to stay longer and I've never been there yet except through all of your stories.

Hope to meet some of the others I've talked with online. Something about meeting on Tuesday night???

Anyway, See you soon Bonaire!!

Grace

ps--with hubby and two little girls.

Tuesday night starting at 6:30pm is BTer night at Gibi's Terrace. Food is local, yummy, and inexpensive. It usually winds down around 9pm.

Susan & Kelly,
Be careful, BE VERY CAREFUL!
Staying "longer" on Bonaire becomes an addiction!
Our history:
1998 8 days
1999 9 days
2000 10 days
2001 11 days
2002 14 days
2003 17 days
2004 21 days
And Carole is right, it does seem to get harder to leave each year knowing it's going to be almost a whole year before we can come back.

Chet, Carole and Kelly... I absolutely am not trying to gloat here but I am not too worried about the PBD after the 2 weeks at the Christmas holidays because we will be back in February for 9 days -- that's the one I am really going to hate to leave because then it will be a whole year!

Susan, I'm trying to space my trips out about 6 months apart. I may be able to fly my daughter down this time for a few days, so that will be nice. She's not a diver, but snorkels. I don't think I can be away from her for two whole weeks, she's my baby!

We are new to BT, will be on Bonaire 12/27-1/4, our ?7th or 8th trip since '99. Looking forward to meeting some of the people from this forum. We will be staying at Belmar. My daughter Sarah, 14, wants to know if anyone around her age will be there.

Jim, WRT Philadelphian 'English' -I'm no native but spent 14 years there- Philadelphia, I recall, is pronounced Fluffya (does Clark DeLeon still write for the Inky?) Natives, Cynde, never say 'Philly'!
Is Bonaire considered 'goin' downa shaw'?

We are envious of those who have two weeks to spend; we are stuck with the school vacation schedule...well, someday!

David and Grace, I have added you to the December spreadsheet...I need to get in gear and get the January one going

December Btalkers on island

David, yes, Clark still does write for the Inquirer, but only features. His Irish pub crawls in Dublin and western Ireland are still the funniest writings to date. You are so right about the rest of the world calling Philadelphia Philly. Rumor has it that the term came about because of the Phillies. Hence, the name. It looks as though I am on the same schedule as you. However, we come in on the 26th and leave the fourth. In the summer, last July, we spent 3 wonderful weeks on Bonaire. That is when I got to meet my soul sisters above, Cynde and Kelly. We even came back, one night after dinner at the Agentinian Grille and did some Springsteen together.

We are the soul sistas! LOL

I would love to be meeting for dinner at Casablanca tonite! Some Brights, a large platter of beef..... ahhhh..... alas, I have to work. To make money for the next trip. LOL

OK, "I promise never to say "Ph$#$y" again...I had no idea that I was being uncooth Do they call the Philadelphia cheese steak sandwich a "p$%$#y cheese steak sandwich" in Philadelphia? Guess not...

Jim, yes, Bruce is da bomb I saw Danny Divito on some show and he said he got to sing with him at some children's benefit in New York, he was so jazzed! And it was great hangin' out wichya soul brother I'll be there for 2 weeks in July as well (Kelly and I will be on island one week together...just giving all a warning!) LOL!

Cynde, actually Danny DiVito, along with many others, did the benefit in Asbury Park, NJ. We had tickets for the Saturday night show, but because of the snow it was moved to Monday night. I chose not to go, so Kathi's sister jumped on it. They saw a really great show with a number of performers and had a blast. I had a mandatory early meeting on Tuesday, so there was no way I could go. This is just another reason why I hate snow so much.

Jim, I think you and Kathi are the ultimate Boss fans! What, that is 3 times this year??? Thanks for the benefit information, I remember now he said Asbury Park, and he was reading "The night before christmas" story to the crowd, and said "That story is LONG" and finally Bruce started singing "Santa Clause is Comin' to Town" and the crowd went nuts...gives me the chills just thinking of it!

David - Friends of ours will be arriving 12/24 staying until 1/3 at the Plaza. They have a 15 yr old daughter and we have a 13 year old son that might work out for your daughter (they both dive and are going for their advanced PADI certification while there). We will be in Hato 12/20 - 12/3. If you would like, fire me off a PM and I can email you my phone number when I am on Bonaire. I will be renting a phone from Chat n' Browse. FYI Clark also writes a weekly column for the Metro (a daily free rag that SEPTA offers it's riders). He still gives a good chuckle or two.

Jim, Cynde and Kelly - don't get me started on Bruce. I've been hitting his shows since the Tower Theatre in 1975. I actually hate to admit I made 7 shows this past summer. Certainly the best and consistent live show going.

Tom

Tom,

We are in the heart of Bruce country here in Freehold, NJ. Never been to a show, though I like the music. I understand seeing 7 shows in one summer though (any other Deadheads out there?). Sent you a PM re your last post.

About the cheesesteaks, Cynde, there are just two important questions - Wid or widdout (onions),
and Pat's (www.patskingofsteaks.com) or Geno's (www.genosteaks.com).

Oooohh David you are bringing back memories of my seven years living in Philadelphia. My vote always went to Pat's and I like my cheesesteaks "wid". Looking forward to a visit in March to see my niece so I can have "the real thing" -- and a few tastykakes as well!

I'm with Susan - wid and Pat's - if you're choosing between the two. There are other great steaks available throughout the area (but that's a topic that can go on forever).

David - I sent you an email.

Youz guys. If you know Pat's, you know the city. Although Geno's can give Pat's a run as well. Up in Manyunk, that is pronounced Man e unk, there is a place called Dellasandos, which I think is absolutely the best hands down. As far as Bruce goes, I saw him 7 times this summer, but "Crazy Janie" my wife Kathi saw him 11 times. She would leave me in a heartbeat for Bruce. LOL

Hi James....Eva and I will be there

Hi Wally. Good to hear from you again. We talked boats a few times last year. Unfortunately, I was not able to meet you at Jake's house, last year, for the BBQ. We flew out that day, as we had to be back in work on the 2nd. This year, we don't go back until the 5th, so you and I will be able to whack some stels together and cook up some ribs. I told Jake I was very sad taking off, looking up the coastline, and thinking of you turning those ribs. Hope to also see you at Gibi's on the 30th.

Good deal....I was minding the grill and being glad I wasn't flying. I'll head over to Jake & Linda's about 1 to run the grill and tease the kids so they can do other stuff. Gibi's on the 30th also.