"F.O.A.D." wrote in message
m...



We've been to many destinations in the Caribbean, including both parts
of Saint Martin, and we've been to Saint Barthélemy, too, in fact, on
the same trip. For many reasons, we prefer the Med and the Greek
isles,
though I would enjoy a trip to Cuba. Love Cuban food, music, and
hopefully, once the Castro brothers are dead, the country can get with
it.

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We are not exactly world travellers but have spent extensive time
living outside the US. I had one brief excursion to southeast Asia
in 1969 that only lasted 6 weeks, and spent a little over a week in
China (PRC) in 1986 but we lived in Italy for over two years and in
Puerto Rico for about the same. Loved Italy. Puerto Rico? Not so
much.

Had an interesting series of emails last December with a guy in Italy.
I was Christmas shopping on eBay and came across some custom made,
very beautiful pens that were made in a factory in Italy, not far from
where we had lived. Thought it would make a good gift for Mrs.E,
so I ordered one.

I was surprised to receive a personal email from the factory owner
thanking me for the order. One email exchange led to another and I
told him about our living not far from him, how our daughter was born
there and how much we had enjoyed his country back in the early 70's.
He responded with an invitation to visit again and he would make
arrangements for us to stay at a villa he owned, free of charge. He
was also very honest and talked about how much Italy has changed since
the 70's and how we probably wouldn't enjoy it like we did back then.
It was tempting, but I hate air travel and I'd rather retain the good
memories that we have.