Dave30

You know Dave I really started to drop the pounds when I said to myself "sam, no more than four croissants a day, girl."

all kidding aside I do jog a lot because then I can check out other parts of the city we are in and if I can't jog than I do at least 50 lunges and 25 push-up in my hotel in the morning. The first push-up at 6 am is brutal and I'm cursing the whole way but by 10 the energy starts pumping and I'm feeling better.

maryoflakewood

For achievements it's simply that I am doing the show that I have always wanted to do on the Travel Channel. I have also learned thru traveling that it's okay to fail and that NOT being perfect is actually more interesting on camera and off.

Disappointments-these are more on the personal side but are basically tied up in the challenge of being away all the time.

my family is very well and thank-you for asking

Hey, Kiddo, how’ya doin’? Wanted to make sure I got a word in before taking off this Thursday on a brief vacation (my perfect timing continues unabated). Heading to South Dakota to see the faces on the mountain, something I’ve always wanted to do since I first saw Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint cavort amongst our presidents’ heads in “North By Northwest”.

Delighted to hear that there will be another season of “Passport” to look forward to. With the incredible job you and your team have been doing, I expected nothing less. Not that we haven’t seen (snooze inducing) shows on Europe before, but you do such a wonderful job of making the continent so down-to-earth accessible to us, that it’s like seeing it all anew. Make sure you keep the journals coming (and leave your winter gloves at home!).

Question: Have you traveled in the Chunnel yet? If I ever get the nerve to travel across that big pond, it is one of the things I plan on doing. Stay in London and take a day trip by train under the waters to Paris (fortunately, I’m not claustrophobic).

Question 2: Have they kicked you out of your place yet? I often wake up in a cold sweat imagining you and Fiona living in a crate underneath a bridge (with your crate of designer clothes and shoes nearby).

Question 3: How is Patty doing? Hopefully, she has recovered from the troubles with her home. I actually thought of her last week when they announced that hurricane season has started yet again. I hope she was able to re-join you in Europe and, if not, will for your future episodes.

It sounds like you are enjoying your European tour and I hope that makes up for some of the “disappointments”. Keep up the good work and as always, safe travels.

vacdisney

Well I'm glad your experience didn't alter what you loved about Disney. I was always amazed at the level of professionalism and patience exhibited by the Cast members especially when the general public was not being so nice. It's a tought job you guys do and you do it well but good for you for knowing when you had enough.

What other music do you like besides Barry Manilow?

Don't make the mistake of listening to the same kinds of music your whole life. Expand your horizons by listening to the Beastie Boys, Metallica, Black Sabbath. Or if that's too extreme start with the Smiths or U2. All of these bands have established a classic legacy of music.

NO I HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY PIC YET
For the first six months, I spent every waking moment sitting by the mailbox waiting for the mailman, sitting in the rain and the snow, bugs crawling on me, wild cats nibbling my toes, as each day he would say "Not today Robert, maybe tomorrow" and off he would go, with a chuckle.
Since I couldn't walk from sitting so long, I slowly crawled to my apartment, after several months, I was welcomed back into society.
I made the mistake of casting myself in my last short film, but it made me start to run again, and along with the kick boxing and yoga(harder then it looks)I've dropped 15 pounds, yah me.
Now if I can just leave the pizza, crispy creme,
truffles, cheese, cheese, and more cheese alone, I might just live forever.
Give my best to fiona, and a scratch behind the ears.

robert

Nope, I don't have any children (except a very funny talking African Grey Parrot! Who BTW likes to dance to the Great Hotels theme song!) and you are right about Bullying - we all have experienced it to some degree and it is the same no matter what age you are - we all at some point either know someone or have to work with someone etc. who feels the need to control us by trying to make us feel bad or small. The best we can do is know and believe that we are OK and they are the one with the problem. Nobody can make you feel anything, it is your choice. This of course is in regard to verbal/mental bullying. Physical threats/bullying is a more serious issue where the police may need to be involved..

OK enough of the public service announcement and on to answer your question! - How is Reading, Pennsylvania - right now it is pretty HOT. But you live in NYC so you probably are experiencing about the same. But speaking of food! We have a new place here called Infinitos. I don't know if this place or places similar exist elsewhere but it is a PIZZA BUFFET! For a very low price of about $3.99 it is all you can eat pizza! Wha hoo!!! And there are all different kinds - besides the normal usuals, there is chocolate chip pizza and strawberry pizza, apple, cherry, blueberry - all very yummy. And included in that price there also is a salad bar and pasta and drinks with refills and chocolate pudding. After eating about as much pizza as I could stand, I basically filled an entire dinner plate with chocolate pudding and downed it in about a minute....mmmm...creamy cold smooth chocolately going down...I unregrettingly savored every moment...but minutes later, on the way home in the car, I started to get the puddin' sweats
But I still recommend it!

I want to tell you I really enjoy reading your journals online. It gives me another window as to what these places are *really* like and it's also interesting to get the behind the scenes details from your perspective of creating each show. I hope you have time to continue to do this, they are really enjoyable & I'm sure others agree.
So keep all the dirty details comin'! Come on, we can take the gore and the violence!
Deliciously scandalous!
Cya

Hi Sam!

It's a real honor to be able to tell you how much I enjoy watching your programs on Travel Channel.
You seem to have the ability to make ANYPLACE both fun and interesting! You are truly a ray of sunshine in the dark world of tv.

I wanted to quickly tell you that from your recommendation of the "Whispering Canyon Cafe" on one of your programs, we (my husband and 6 year old son.....) have decided to visit it for a meal when we go to DisneyWorld at the end of the month. I figured anyplace that encourages you to be "loud" during your meal has got to be a good time for a 6 year old boy.

I'm so happy to hear that there will be a season 2 of "Passport"! It's by far my favorite of all of your shows so far. Are you at liberty to give us a heads-up on what cities you'll be visiting?

I'm sure this has been said before by others on here, but a great big THANK YOU for taking the time out of your personal "down-time" to come here and talk to the fans.

Stay the same.

CAPPOCINO AND KINDRED SPIRITS

New experiences are a joy to savor, and yesterday's gathering of Ashland Area Christian Writers Guild members and "newbies" provided another opportunity to discover fascinating people, places and things. It may not have been Europe, but we all know there's plenty yet to discover "in our own backyards."

Now, Kathy Noll just shared above about a place I'd loved to visit one day: an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT for $3.99 PiZZA BUFFET in Reading, PA! Yummmm, yummm, yummm! Puddin' sweats, eh, Kathy? You better be a little more careful, don't cha think? (not to "boss" you around, of course) Well, on a somewhat smaller scale, I've discovered a new hangout I'm sure I'll be found at often now this summer. It's called The Cookie Cafe and it's in a new little shopping mall called the Commerce Center Mall, which, happily for me, is right next door to the Barbara Lane Apartments complex where I live in Ashland, Ohio, and easy for me to walk over to and "hang out" at. And, not only did I discover that this little cafe was there, but connected to it in the mall is a Little Professor Book Store to "hang out" in and explore the shelves of new and classic books. Being a writer myself, naturally, I'm prone to prefer "hanging out" in such places. The set up of the mall part of this mall is cozy and relaxing, with a series of tables and chairs outside the Cookie Cafe, Little Professor, and the other stores there, which are only about eight or nine, anyway.(Told you it was a "little" shopping mall.)

As our writers group began sharing and discovering each other, I was reminded of you, Sammy, and all of the great times you've experienced sharing similar discoveries with new groups of people in intimate atmospheres such as this. We went around the group and shared where we are now with our writings and what our dreams and goals were for our writings. Of course, in my case, that has a lot to do with becoming a successful travel writer like yourself. As you know, Sammy, but I haven't shared on the forums yet, I am physically-challenged, and accomplishing this goal from that perspective may be more difficult, but I'm sure not impossible. In fact, there are other physically-challenged travel writers working in this field now and websites even that provide helpful information for physically-challenged travelers, as well as, those who don't have to deal with that. Personally, I'd like to write for both groups of people when I am able to begin doing that. I received some good suggestions and encouragement from my fellow writers about this goal during our fellowship at the mall yesterday.

Well, just wanted to share this with you and everyone here, Sammy. Will contribute more to this thread later. Take care.

Steve

I'm glad you are real,It makes it seem more like traveling with your daughter or best friend.Is next season going to be even more about your experiences and outlook? I hope so,No one does that like you.Love Mary.

Are you done with grat hotels? ARe you ever going to come back. Please respond.

Yosemite National Park

If you do go, you can always stay at the Awahnee Hotel, conveniently located within the park. Chateau du Sureau is more of a European village. But most of the attractions are located inside the park. When you visit Yosemite, you have to do some hiking! You certainly have many options. Hiking up to the top of the mountain takes about 6-8 hours roundtrip! Or you can hike and stand above a waterfall and feel some nostalgia, and reminisce about your experience in hawaii!If you do that, be prepared for some strenuous hiking. Also bring a poncho and a snack. The waterfall is gigantic and if you don't bring wear a poncho you will get nearly soaked. When you are close to the waterfall, there are " rock steps." Be careful, they are VERY slippery and you don't want to hurt yourself! Unfortunately, I didn't continue to the top. But bring a snack because you will be hungry afterwards, I was!

Samantha! Well, hello there! How have you been? It has been quite sometime since we last spoke (I believe we were wishing eachother a "Merry Christmas" if I remember correctly). Needless-to-say, I am very happy to see your return. Since we last spoke I got accepted into college, The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; I went to England and Ireland, which was truly amazing. I would speak all about it, but I figure you have already learned the ins and outs of things there ; and I went on a cruise this past April to the Caribbean on Royal Caribbean Cruiselines with the fam (it was my last family trip before I move away). So that's pretty much everything in a nutshell for ya! School ends on Friday and then I have prom and graduation in two weeks and shortly following- I'm going on a trip to Disney with my friends for the week. Talk about being broke for the summer, ha!
I truly hope all is going well with you. When you say you are "home", does that mean back in New York? I just got my summer parking pass to Robert Moses beach out here on the island. I'm certainly needing it in this 90 degree heat...in fact, I just walked in from the beach. Hope to hear from you soon!

Ashley

tom0557

what are you talking about? Pinkaton was wicked awesome in academics! Well I'm sure being the captain of the debate team helped you more in life than me being the captain of the cheerleading squad.

my hat's off to you.

adamunc

Yes, the two are very different
Great Hotels took three days to shoot and Passport takes four. But I do have a day off in each destination to get a feel for it and begin to write.

Dear Sam,

Of course, I was just kidding about the academics...yet it is true that Alvirne has been far more successful in the Granite State Challenge than Pinkerton has....

Anyway, your shows have done far more for people than my life as a banking regulatory lawyer - as such Ms. Brown I tip my cap to you...

You've inspired me to visit Europe even though prior to "Passport", I never would have entertained the thought. Please keep up the great work. You're a great writer and your energy translates to the screen well. Also I also like the fact like most New Hampsha' folks, you like beer.

Please take care, be safe and have a GREAT 2nd season of "Passport",

Thomas R. Graham, J.D.

P.S. PINKERTON STILL DROOLS...

llmg8r

WOW what an incredible trip you are about to go on! And the Euro is coming down too! what luck. One things for sure-after visiting all those countries you'll never want to go to EPCOT again.

kudos to you guys for planning a thrilling yet scary vacation. You're really leaving your comfort zone but This trip is going to change your life no doubt about it.

Please keep us all on informed of your journey.

stevefrommichigan

To tell you the truth I don't know. All I remember is there was one bench but I don't think the high school musical budget could afford an entire gazeebo. I'm sure there's a tape someplace but I myself don't have it-just the pictures.

Oh my captuttle

you really are the Captian of this forum, the glue that holds us all together or better yet the collated cream on the scone.

I am so glad to be talking to you right now because I have wanted for some time now to thank you for "Message in a Bottle." My experiences traveling this year have been beyond incredible but of course there are some low momments. In reading your posts I felt like I had a cheerleading section. Please know that your words helped a great deal. It's nice to I have you in my corner and everyone else who kept contributing while I was gone.

I too miss the subject line and will talk to MOD BEN-let's see if I have any pull. I hate to put anything else on their table. The website team at Discovery is first class and they are always working very hard.

Now of course Venice is on the table for season two. Knowing the feel of Passport what would you put in the show. I have been to Venice, it takes your breath away but I found it EXTREMELY touristy so how do we find what's authentic?

see, you can't go into retirement just yet

travel1st

Venice is definitely being considered and I would LOVE to go to Lake Como. I have only seen it featured in magazines but I thought it looked enchanting.

I would really enjoy doing some articles for those mags, I get both and I find them invaluable.

shuttec

Travel Channel may re air it. While reading this go to the website and see if it's listed. I also just sent an email to my producer on that show to see if he knows. However, Royal Caribbean has an excellent and informative website where you can look up and book everything i did.

I highly recommend the jeep ride in Corfu.

have a great time!

I recently switched over to a new online account and my former login was “Here Lies Love.” I’m just one of many who regard you in high esteem and I appreciate your accessibility. I feel fortunate to have become a member the first time around in early March of this year and I would like to express my gratitude by mentioning how rewarding your shows, and getting to read your journals, has meant to me in only a short time. The end of March is usually a gloomy time for me ever since my mother died at the end of it in 1979. Although I have long since been healed by her passing the presence of sadness has naturally lingered during this time of year. Nevertheless, viewing your shows for the first time during the winter months and being allured by your quality of expression enticed me to read your journals to experience and learn more. My favorite part is when you liken yourself to Fred Flintstone who used toothpicks to keep his sleepy eyes open, but snapped under the weight of his eyelids. Your quality of childlike playfulness is an open doorway to self-love that makes others feel at ease and happy themselves.

Consequently, through the mellifluous buildup of observing your shows, being taken by your profound attractiveness, engaged deeply in reading your journals, and learning about your March 31st birthday, has all accumulated to cast an amulet glow that enamored my spirit all through the end of March and undermined any sadness long before it had a chance to make itself known. You and your show made this March a delightful event for me and I thank you for your amulet distraction that still captivates me today. It’s beyond words.

Your sense of humor is also more sophisticated than just childlike playfulness. Being intelligent and humorous go hand-in-hand because it takes a sharp clever mind to be funny, and you do well to express that in your spontaneity and skillful writing.

I’m pleased by your announcement that Passport to Europe has been extended to a second season and I look forward to it. You and your collective cohorts deserve the best. I’m sorry about the disappointments you mentioned of having this year, but it appears you understand that you can change your negative experiences into positive understanding, and then take this with you into a better future. I congratulate you on your achievements and maturity.

You asked what have we been up to? I just stated reading a new book called, “YOU: The Owner’s Manual: An Insider’s Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger” by Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet Oz. I’ve seen them promote their book on television and what they said aroused my curiosity to learn more. As usual I was suckered in to buy another book. Following their advice, I already brought new vitamins and slightly altered my diet to what they recommended taking everyday.

The only planned traveling I’ll be doing this summer is driving 2 hours north from my small wooden dwelling chalet in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania to Ithaca, New York to visit my good friend. He and his girlfriend own a small business located in the Ithaca Commons that sales ladies fashion & accessories, while also having an art gallery in the back of the store because my friend is an abstract painter. When I visit Ithaca Commons I feel transported back to the bohemian culture of 1969, with some punk rock thrown in too. I don’t mind and it is a nice change of scenery for me, and we enjoy going for hikes in the local parks. Eventually I will also drive to Long Island to visit family and friends, and they will come visit me here.

One of my favorite philosopher, Robert M. Pirsig, lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and because of his reclusive nature is known for saying, “The Buddhist monk has a precept against indulging in idle conversation, and I think the basis for that precept is what motivates me.” This means you don’t have to respond to anything I write and can quiet your mind.

Nice to meet you,

Jeff

Samantha!

So heartwarming to read your kind words for the Captain tonight. He so deserves them!

And put the tissues away, there will be no more tearjerkers from me. Until next year, maybe.

And it gives me great joy to be able to say NEXT YEAR! You got another year! I hope our letters of support may have helped somewhat, but I rather think this one was a no-brainer for Travel Channel.
I can’t even stand to watch some of the other Travel Channel shows. The camera work and editing of some in no way compare to the quality of the Pine Ridge productions. Stan the Cameraman really goes the extra mile so many times. And those short little takes of the people in the streets add so much. Three different costumes on the Mannekin Pis must mean he took the time to shoot that on three different days. And whoever is responsible for your musical underscoring also deserves a lot of praise. The music really sets the mood. And Patty! Since I was ready to ask her to “step outside” last time about your blisters, I should say that the ivory coat with furry collar brought images of Mary Tyler Moore to my mind, the ski hat with giant pompom was beyond cool, the orange ski vest and hot pink pants were most appropriate (did you pick that out or did she?) and I should mention, for Captuttle’s sake, that the short tweed jacket in Gloucestershire was totally right. There. A truce with Patty.

A white water rafting trip! I would expect nothing less from “Crazy Adventure Girl.”
It makes perfect sense that you seek out vacation spots with no beds, bathrooms, or mini bars. Happy to hear the family is fine. Mine is too, thankfully, and my son is getting married next May so I finally will get a daughter. Over Memorial Day we all got up to Maine and tried to do the Marginal Way but there were no parking spots, as usual, and it was pouring down rain. But we scarfed up the freebies at the Stonewall Kitchens store and I had a decent whoopee pie and got to listen to the loons at night again. Bad news about the shipyard though, for a lot of people anyway.

I have enjoyed my taped Brussels and Amsterdam episodes now, and I can say that you also allow me to reminisce, so now we are even. There is a restaurant here that once offered a free dinner if you brought in a photo of someone wearing their promotional T shirt in front of a famous landmark. I bought a shirt for my son and was forever posing the poor boy in it. I recall that The Mannekin Pis was especially tricky because of that fence, but I got the job done, much to his irritation, as he really had to pee. (No wonder, huh?) But even though I groaned at the high cost of his mussels in Brussels (much more palatable than your escargots, perhaps) I felt a bit better knowing that there would be a FREE cheeseburger and fries back home.
And the Anne Frank Huis! So moving, and so well done. My memory is of a long line on a hot day, surrounded by tourists griping about their hotels. (They knew not of houseboat options, as we do now) I think it is a good move to explore a variety of unique lodging options, as you have begun to do with the Passport series. Not that we don’t like Great Hotels….
I can honestly say, Samantha, that sometimes traveling vicariously with you is better than the real experience. Not only did I get off at the wrong train stop when I tried to see King Ludwig's castle, but I got stopped in my tracks at the Interlaken train station, without enough money for the train ticket up to the Jungfrau. So it has been very fulfilling to me to see many places I have missed, as well as many places I have loved to revisit.


And quit that tearing out of hair! Your writing has been wonderful, in the show and in the journals.
Don’t ever get so serious about your writing that you lose the spontaneity that is so uniquely yours and so very entertaining. One of my favorite lines, (to the butcher brothers in Italy) was “I can’t cook it …in my toilet.”
And do find more of the locals to play off of next season. My favorites were the Scottish guys. You remember, now don’t you, the one with the wee sporran who called you a lass, as will as the one with the cell phone in his headgear? Priceless stuff there, really.

It’s past my bedtime, so off I go. Maybe we’ll do some more skipping down Memory Lane later in the week.
Good night, Samantha.
Mother Orange

Good evening Sam!

It seems all of the "old timers" have checked in. Couple of us are going on a couple of years now...seems like just yesterday I sat nervously in front of my computer and pecked out a shy message. Now you can't shut us up!!!!

Tennis! My parents tried to get me to play tennis for years as a child. Unfortunately for them, I prefered and excelled at softball. Even played competitively in college and now, causally for fun. Will we see you burst onto the pro scene anytime soon?

Mom is doing well, thank you for asking. She will be tickled that you said hello. Still (cancer free) (I whisper these words). Some difficulties resulting from 5 years of some kind of treatment, but in good spirits. So glad to hear your news is good too...We don't expect anything bad to come up, but those testing days always put the fear of God into my heart.

And thanks for remembering our involvement with Lance! I have some bold predictions for the Tour this summer - but am keeping them to myself for now. At very least - he will win! I think he got a raw deal from the public during his marriage troubles and divorce. That relationship was very public and I think it was their undoing. Got to say hello to Sheryl at a function...she seemed nice enough. They seem happy and thats good enough for me.

I probably ride 6,000 miles in a year. Some true races, but they are not long miles, just fast miles. The ride across Iowa every year is just for fun. I like to ride the centuries (100 milers), but those rides are not usually competitive. "Goo" has come a long way, but the texture is still gross. I use it when I have to, but NOTHING beats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That is the BEST ride energy I know of!!!! And, hey, millions of american kids can't be wrong!

I'm posting tonight from my "other" job...an er relief gig I do from time to time (ok, weekly). So the computer is not going to crash!!! And, business is S L O W tonight, so I'm outta here pretty soon! How'd it go with Fiona? How old is she?

No more questions from me today. Just happy to have you home and get the chance to chat!!!

talk to ya soon

kel

uh oh...I just wrote a long post and apparently got sent to the corner. Hope it surfaces soon. I promise I didn't say anything bad!


(sigh) if its not a crashing computer...its jail.

kel

ohh...there it is!! Not a long jail sentance!

Sam,

What will you and your crew do when these shows finally shut down?

Ah, Ms. Brown,(green for Ireland next week, and perhaps as in envy), far from being captain of this, your rightful forum, I remain your humble and obedient servant, sort of, if I'm lucky, your Sir Walter Raleigh to his matchless Queen Elizabeth (please don't cut off my head, and you're a lot lovelier than she or Bette Davis ever was). I am so happy to hear all our past messages have helped keep your spirits higher recently. I know your travels, with all their joys and discoveries, have also been occasionally stressful and sometimes full of anxieties (How DO you pronounce Neueschwanstein?). I well remember my first morning in London, arriving for a couple of months of dissertation research in English history, but I had never been to England before, nor knew a single soul there (not anyone who was still alive, anyway), and didn't even know what hotel I would be staying in to start things off. And I vividly recall sitting there in Bedford Square, blackbird singing in the bushes, suitcase by the bench, my little Nicolson's London guide in my hand, wondering what in the WORLD was I doing here? How had I ever gotten myself into this? Well, naturally it turned out to be a great experience, and I kept going back, for the sheer fun and fascination of it, virtually every year since. But I still remember many of those first nights there when, suddenly no longer busy and crushingly alone in a grotty hotel room (none of your 5 star palaces, Samantha), I certainly could have used a message in a bottle from a devoted friend (no Kinkos for internet access right off Chancery Lane then...). In your most recent episode, either Amsterdam or Brussels, I believe you place in your script the term 'gift' for that which your wondrous episodes are for us. So please, Ms. Brown, do accept our chatter on your forum here as the least we can offer as gifts in gratitude and appreciation for you. We owe you far more than that.

So how about a second season, then?

Actually, I have been to Venice, Sam, though about 15 years ago. But it was in late March, and the weather was actually very nice (and no Aqua Alta either) and very few tourists there to ruin things. In San Marco Sq. there would in the morning be maybe twenty people only among the thousands of pigeons. Drawback was that some restaurants and even hotels weren't open yet, but it was an exquisite time to nose about that most mysterious and romantic city all the same. The ringing of bells and soft sound of footsteps on stone in the morning fog you really should experience as it surely will touch deeply the romantic that obviously lives within you. I promise that much to you. If the Travel Channel is going to send you to so many cities in the wrong time of year anyway , Venice is actually a great one to be so treated. I would not want to see you there in July, either. I'm just happy we'll get to see you at all.

This post may single-handedly send this on to page 3 as it is, so please don't ask me for suggestions in this response. Must be in the recent Pimm's Cup thread I think I rattled off some. I get about 20 very easily (am astonished, Samantha, you haven't already done a Loire River wine cruise ), but I'll think a little more about that subject, which I imagine is very much in your mind right now. Next post, then, for that. An ancient English country house tour is my mania recently, but I doubt I could interest you in particular for that one - although I really must have just missed you by a week or so at Stanway House in Gloucestershire with that wonderful golden stone gatehouse you were filmed in front of briefly in your nice tweed jacket and faithful little hatchback (see, we do remember your episodes). From your enthusiasm and obvious love of what you're doing, though, I think it's more important that we see the sights you want to show to us, Samantha, and we'll love them just as much through your eyes and perceptive ideas wherever they may be.


I struggled through my tours today with that lovely post-nasal drip and disabling cough of the day after a cold has ended, and it reminded me of how wonderfully you perform in front of the camera, Samantha. Even if you get a few extra takes which I don't, it still is most impressive because I know it is difficult to do (when someone asked me late the other day when I was worn down and losing concentration what a certain floor was made of, instead of "parquet floor of beech and cherry", I suavely announced it was "beef and cheddar"). It's tough sometimes, speaking in front of groups of people or a whirring camera. And you are such a joy to see perform. I also second KthyNoll's praise for your journals - again a pleasure to experience.

And speaking of cheddar, I'll ask you one silly question as it seems we're NOT really asking you about your recent travels, and this is our golden opportunity for doing so. So IF, Ms. Brown, someone laid out a table full of all those street and finger foods you risked your life and stomach lining in sampling for us, which two or three of these would you pop down a second time? Let's choose from among:

extra chewy escargot in Brussels (surprised no sprouts served on the side)

minced heart and lungs in posh Viennese restaurant

tangy sauerkraut juice in Salzburg

cod-n-chips in north London (I hate vinegar myself)

banana crepes in Paris

steaming streudel in Prague

gooey herring in Amsterdam

curried something on a bun in Berlin

Belein (sp?) tarts in Lisbon

monestery baked goods - was that Madrid?

clotted cream and scones in the Cotswolds

fried Mars Bars in Edinburgh

and of course chocolates, either Zurich or Brussels

But some healthy vegetables have to be in there somewhere in your choices.

And finally, I truly loved your Vienna and Salzburg episodes. I expected to enjoy Vienna; I wasn't expecting to be so enchanted by Salzburg. I look forward greatly to Ireland. Thanks greatly for your kind post. Until the stock market does A LOT better, I cannot retire fully anyway (actually don't really want to). But as long as you stay on the air, I suppose I must post. Enjoy your own vacation, Samantha; if you still miss Europe in the interum, remember you can run up to The Cloisters and steal a few quiet moments there. And with that we return the forum to her rightful Queen.

Dear Sam,
Congrat's on signing on for Passport 2! Technical question: I was just wondering, how long does in pre-production? How much time do you spend on researching the cities you visit? I remember reading that you filmed for 25 days at a time, does your producer visit the cities prior to your arrival etc? How do you fit it all in? Kindest regards, Trumpetgirl.

CAR SHOWS, DON HO and WHITE WATER BRAVADO

Hey, Adventure Girl! What an adventure you had at the Grand Canyon! Little did I imagine you would would be braving the river one day, but I should've known better, huh?
That's so cool, Samantha! You know, I've actually been to the Grand Canyon myself with my parents and sister on one of our family trips out to California on Route 66 when I was growin' up. What an experience the Grand Canyon is! You just can't capture its incredible splendor on film! When you see it in person, you understand why. Now, when I visited the Grand Canyon (somewhere back in the late 50s-early 60s), I don't think that they had an option of white water rafting down the river, and, certainly, I don't think my parents would've been that adventuresome to take us kids on a "wild ride" down the river like so many families do without batting an eyelash nowadays, the era of waterparks and water rides, so I never had the opportunity to experience that. Now, you said you went to the Grand Canyon with your family, Samantha, but how many of you actually braved the river? Did your neice(s) and nephew, Corey, join in the "fun"? Also, I'm curious about the other adventures you and your family shared on your long overdue family vacation. What states did you visit and what else did you see and do, if you don't mind sharing some more about your family get-together with all of us?

I'm not too surprised you didn't remember what I asked about your "Sound of Music" play. After all, it was a while ago, and you've had so many other plays and adventures "cluttering up" your "cluttered mind" (your description, not mine) since then. I don't remember all of the details of things like that from 20 some years ago, either. But, thank you for answering that question the best you could, Sammy.

There are a couple of other things I was wondering about:

I wrote you about my Dad being a tool-and-die maker and working for GM. Because of this connection with cars, I've been to some car shows, too, with my Dad, when I was younger. We went to car shows in Detroit when we went. When you went with your Dad, Sammy, where did you guys go, and was there any special reasons why your Dad and you went to these car shows? Did your Dad have any cars to show of his own, or were you being a model there for some of the car displays or something like that? I know I would've been most inspired to buy any car that you demonstrated to the public!

And my other question is: since you met and enjoyed spending time with Don Ho when you filmed that Girl Meets Hawaai episode, did you get to spend any other times with him on your subsequent visits to film Great Hotels in Hawaii, and if so, what do you remember about those special times?

Well, that's enough from me for now. Chat with ya some more later, Samantha. Thanks again for takin' the time to spend some special time online with all of us this week.

Steve

Hello sam! I was wondering about great hotels,and thinking "what if you had a diffrent veiw of the show?" Well there are alot of kids in the world,and almost all hotels and resorts allow kids. So why not have a kids eye veiw. I have been trying to find out how I can help out with this ,so I would like to be on Great Hotels please respond with your answer.

Hello to everyone on the Sam board. I'm sure you've heard it enough times, but just wanted to let you know how much we are enjoying the Passport series. When I saw the Amsterdam ep though, I'm highly suspicious that perhaps you did order from the 'eh hem' cafe menu? I believe you were talking to tulips.....and they were answering you back? I believe I did the EXACT same thing to the tulips when I was at that garden.
Are you taking questions? If so, what is the first thing you do when you are finally back in NY? Laundry? Check your email? Clean out the TiVo list? Make an appt. at Bliss? Sample Sales?

Welcome back, Sam! I love Passport to Europe and I am so excited for season 2. I'm glad you will be going Venice. May I suggest Torino and Vernona? I have a feeling lots of people are going to want to see Torino after the winter olympics coming up. I'm so excited about the Euro slipping, as I will be heading to Cork, Ireland in a few months. Anyway, I was wondering a few things. Do you choose where you want to go on the program? Do you really get to stay in those fancy hotels on the program? (jealous!) Have you encountered any anti-American sentiments while filming in Europe? I was recently in France for awhile and was surprised to find that most French like Americans contrary to what you hear in the U.S. Lastly, what was your least favorite place that you went in Europe? (ok, that might be impossible since they were all probably great... but you never know). Good luck with season 2!!!!

SAMANTHA--glad that you liked my ideas.. and once again -- last time you were in the forums you asked if i wanted to be your assistant- this time you say manager.. answer to both-- YES!!! i have been unemployed for 8 months and have had some real bad luck with car, computer and health expenses.. i could use a great job.. so if you are serious please please let me know.. if it's in jest- no worries i appreciate the thought regardless...PLEASE JUST LET ME KNOW EITHER WAY.

Well for murder mysteries-- they tend to be more funny than scary so i think you'd be the perfect host-- wouldnt want to watch anyone else.. but i'm glad to hear that you like the ideas-- and i hope in time they all come to pass..

MORE QUICK QUESTIONS-

1. when will the new eps of europe air?
2. what locations are you planning on using?
3. how many eps will there be in the season?
4. how many great vacation homes eps are there?
5. will there be a dvd set soon?

Hi Sam.

2 questions, one of which I know you can answer - the second I'm not sure of.

First, on your Paris Culture episode you mentioned a website for vacation/ travel homes. What is that URL please? Unfortunately, I deleted it from Tivo before realizing I didn't write it down.

Secondly, well over a year ago I saw a show, I believe it was GH (but I am not sure), filmed at Pangkor Laut? Was that one of your shows? Again, I'm not for certain. If so...can you give me your opinion of the hotel, best time to travel there, and about the layover in Kuala Lumpur. If not, have you been there and can you answer? hehe

On a side note, my wife and I are heading to Europe in 50 days (and yes, I have the countdown clock running)...we absolutely loved the Munich, Zurich and Innsbruck episodes. We made the plans prior to seeing the shows, and they all aired within a couple days of our finishing the plans. A bit of irony, we changed one of our reservations to Fussen rather than Innsbruck before we saw the episodes, however have since added a day trip to Reutte, Vols and Innsbruck based on that episode. Thanks.

Keep up the great work. Can't wait for season 2.

- Steve

Karld!
yes, we did go to Monaco but unfortunately not during the Grand Prix. I did however, get to drive the "course" with the European editor of Road & Track. He raced with Ferrari in the 50's and actually won Le Mans. He was such an elegant man and had no qualms about driving his wife's Chrysler mini van for the episode -instead of his own Porsche which was to small of a car for us to shoot in.

take care and nice to hear from you

Taxman

There were a few places (hotels) that certainly weren't my cup of tea. One place I remember they wouldn't even give us water to drink and it must have been 90 degrees with 70% humidity. But the places I would like to go back to far far outnumber those. Which includes The Boulders and yes I too would risk scorching heat to be able to afford to go back. It was that amazing so I'm glad you and your wife feel the same. By any chance did you get to hear coyotes? While we were at Boulders there was a young family of bobcats and they "meowed" at night. It was surreal.

dejardins!

hopefully I caught you before you are off on your minor but much deserved vacation. and I am so happy you are enjoying the new show. it means a lot to me that my fans who have been with me since the beginning like what I am evolving into. to answer your questions no haven't taken the chunnel, i'm not claustrophobic but i still don't know how i would feel about that. Patty is hangin in there she is starting from scratch but she has a strong support group. But I will pass along your warm thoughts. And Fiona and I are still safely in our apartment.

take care and say hello to the Presidents for me.

hopesong

i really need to tell the website crew to change that. it's not that I don't like Barry Manilow but there have been more than a few people who have taken that statement too seriously. I definitely listen to many many different bands and singers to name a few just to redeem myself
Patti Griffin, Zero 7, U2, Beth Orton, Air

I'll have to dust off my old metallica tape

Taxman and ambitiousduck

please leave me your email address. Robert, we are going to try this one more time. Honestly i think the mailman has it out for you because i am positive i sent you one back last winter. You wouldn't be hording pictures would you?

kthynoll

a pizza buffet my gosh where was that place when i was in college. The journals will be coming soon. Basically on the road every night i right a list of things i could talk about or journal. Now that I have some downtime I can go back and fill them. But rest assured the journals will be delicious AND scandalous!

saltandpeppercorn,

Have a great time at Whispering Canyon-it's such a great idea. Although at Disney World all the restaurants operate at a screaming level so your six year old is bound to have a fabulously loud time in general.

As for season two-I honestly don't know yet and certainly can and will tell you when we know. On the table are the Scandinavian countries, Istanbul, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Greece, Sicily, Sardinia, Majorca-plus more Scotland, Ireland, France-Brittany, Provence.

not bad for a started list

stevefrommichigan

three cheers for two wonderful improvements in our lives. 1. bookstores that provide comfortable seating and 2. the internet. I remember coming accross a wonderful website dedicated to the physically challenged traveller. And I am sure there are many more. I think the most incredible achievement of the internet is to give everyone a voice and that that voice has an audience. Good luck in your witing!

maryoflakewood

the new season will concentrate more on the journey and the discovery of the people of Europe. (and of course their food)

scubay

Great Hotels is in no way finished. We can only do one series at a time and for the next year we wil be in Europe then...who knows.

travel1st

just got back from the Grand Canyon so I would love to visit Yosemite. However in a 6 to 8 hour hike I would need more than a snack!

Hi Sam,
I’m visiting Manchester N.H. on a return trip from Canada
in early July and am looking for a locally popular family restaurant.
I enjoy Mexican, German, and Chinese cuisine and would appreciate
any recommendation you could give me for a unique dining experience.
I am a big fan of all your shows especially Passport to Europe and was
glad to hear about the second season. The shows where you roll down
the mountain in the giant plastic ball and ride the bobsled were great fun.
Do you find these activities on your own or does the staff make all the
arrangements? Keep up the good work and best regards to you and the
whole staff.
Thanks Manxter

Good to hear from you again, Ms. Brown. I have a few questions for this go-around on the boards with you.

1) Have you and the crew considered filming an episode in Ukraine? I am of partial Ukrainian heritage, but I confess I know little of the country or culture, and this would be a great way to learn about it. My late Ukranian grandmother didn't carry on much of the customs to us, and the ethnicity of my mother and my other three grandparents (Philippines) dominated my upbringing. Basically, all I know of my Ukranian roots are potato pancakes and stuffed cabbages, plus about five words of the language. So if I could see Samantha Brown exploring and demonstrating more about Ukraine, I would be in high gratitude and indebtedness to you. (If you have, let me know what episode this was and ignore the soliloquy.)

2) IIRC, I remember reading that your degree was in musical theater. How much of your training / studies involved singing and dancing? I don't recall you singing on any of your Travel Channel shows; is that something you might do in a future episode, or is singing just limited to stuff like karaoke with friends? As for dancing, I was thinking about that when I was watching that celebrity ballroom dancing show tonight. Do you ever "cut the rug" in your free time? Personally, I prefer watching Argentinian tango, even if my two lessons in the dance proved that I'm a total klutz.

3) On a purely selfish level, last time you were on here I asked for an autographed photo; what's the procedure for receiving one, after asking nicely? If Discovery needs my e-mail for contact purposes, it's FMLIGOT@aol.com.

Continued success with your travel celebrity career!

"Dyakuyu" (Ukranian for "thanks"), Michael Ligot in Seattle, WA

SAMANTHA--glad that you liked my ideas.. and once again -- last time you were in the forums you asked if i wanted to be your assistant- this time you say manager.. answer to both-- YES!!! i have been unemployed for 8 months and have had some real bad luck with car, computer and health expenses.. i could use a great job.. so if you are serious please please let me know.. if it's in jest- no worries i appreciate the thought regardless...PLEASE JUST LET ME KNOW EITHER WAY.

MORE QUICK QUESTIONS-please let us know....

1. WHEN will the NEW eps of EUROPE start to AIR?
2. how MANY eps will there be in the SEASON 2?
4. how many GREAT VACATION HOMES eps are there do you happen to remember?
5. will there be a DVD set soon of all your shows- do you know?

Sam
That's why the mailman would always chuckle as he walked away, he had it the whole time the %&*(%%$%*&&, sorry for the fowl words. Well who could blame him, it is one of the greatest items to have in the world, I've heard that in some countries a pic of you is more valuable then gold and is used as money.
Okay, we'll try one more time, email address is
ambitiousduck@comcast.net, website is
http://www.ambitiousduckproductions.com
This time I will only wait my the mailbox for five months, I do have a life to live
Lets all join hands and hope for the speedy and safe delivery of the picture.
Thanks Sam, YOU ARE THE BEST THAT EVER WAS, IS, OR EVER WILL BE, now that's what I call sucking up, not bad huh.

Robert

Hi Sam. One more try...

2 questions, one of which I know you can answer - the second I'm not sure of.

First, on your Paris Culture episode you mentioned a website for vacation/ travel homes. What is that URL please? Unfortunately, I deleted it from Tivo before realizing I didn't write it down.

Secondly, well over a year ago I saw a show, I believe it was GH (but I am not sure), filmed at Pangkor Laut? Was that one of your shows? Again, I'm not for certain. If so...can you give me your opinion of the hotel, best time to travel there, and about the layover in Kuala Lumpur. If not, have you been there and can you answer? hehe

On a side note, my wife and I are heading to Europe in 50 days (and yes, I have the countdown clock running)...we absolutely loved the Munich, Zurich and Innsbruck episodes. We made the plans prior to seeing the shows, and they all aired within a couple days of our finishing the plans. A bit of irony, we changed one of our reservations to Fussen rather than Innsbruck before we saw the episodes, however have since added a day trip to Reutte, Vols and Innsbruck based on that episode. Thanks.

Keep up the great work. Can't wait for season 2.

- Steve