Originally Posted by worldiswide

I love this thread and the stories of each of you. We started flying with AA decades ago and have earned and used millions of miles and although the game has changed we have no regrets and have seen and enjoyed the world to the best of our mileage ability . I didn't actually think about how much we traveled relative to others until the first thing people would ask me at work, wheret have you been recently or are you planning any trips. I don't talk about it at all now because I do realize that not everyone understands a Martin Luther King weekend in Qatar or Labor Day at the great wall and somehow as a discretionary expense to most people they make sonne unfounded assumptions about your bank account. It's just a priority for us there are other things we don't do. It's also interesting when people ask if there is any place you haven't been,and that list is long too, the world is wide . Otoh we travel and don't vacation so I have to think of a polite answer when someone asks for advice on Mexico or carribean resorts. It takes work it's a hobby it requires time and investment but we do it because we love it and it has value for us. It's a different equation for everyone. I learn every day from this forum of lik e minded people who want to share knowledge. Back to planning eastern Europe in October and the 15th annual down under and New Zealand via Asia in January starting with fireworks in Hong Kong for Chinese New Year and hearing from all of you.