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Name: Robert Baker
City, Country: Nashville, TN United States
Sent: 4.10 PM - 11/5 2004

Ramon-I stumbled across your web site while researching Cape Dutch architecture and the architecture of Sir Herbert Baker and Sir Edwin Lutyens. Seems there are not many pictures of their work on the web eventhough I have found a few on your site. If you have any more I'd like to see them. Best to you. I admire your ambitition and resourcefulness. --Robert
 

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Name: marie
City, Country: england
Sent: 8.39 AM - 11/5 2004

just stumbled across your website by accident. great read but shame your experiences with the british travellers you met werent the best. we're not all bad.
 

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Name: Natalia
City, Country: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sent: 5.51 PM - 10/26 2004

Hey Ramon! great life experience, my dream looks like that...let me know if you're plannnig to visit Buenos Aires...you'll love it! I'd be glad to show you around the city.
Good luck! AND CONGRATS!
 

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Name: Saskia
City, Country: Amsterdam, NL
Sent: 7.19 AM - 10/24 2004

Bloody brilliant!
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 6.39 PM - 10/22 2004

Hi Thomas,

Best of luck in your plans and studies. It appears you have a good plan and goals set. Sounds impressive, to perform plans of study in various countries. Again, something most American (USA) students do not do. I think with the internet, for whatever reason, it had become that English is the "universal" internet language. Whew, good for me, as it is my first language. I am glad the internet did not evolve as a French, German, or Dutch majority language! :-)

Keep on reading! I am glad your teacher recognized this book as a good learning experience. Perhaps you or your teacher can arrange for Ramon to come to class someday, and discuss his travels, book, English learnings, etc. :-) I am sure Ramon could present a great classroom session with pictures and stories on his travels.

Cheers,
Joan


 

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Name: Thomas
City, Country: Lochem, The Netherlands.
Sent: 4.52 AM - 10/16 2004

Dear Joan.

Thanks for you message. Today i finished Ramon's book. I would have the same problems with my english as Ramon had. ( i think) But its only the writhing, with talking the leanguage i don't have big problems.

The book i read for school is for the subject Dutch. And then literature. Dutch is subdivide in Grammaticaal and literature. I asked my teacher if I were permitted to read this book. First she said no, but after I took here to our schoollibrary, and showt here the website, she directly said yes. Also my teacher wanted know more about it.

I'm in my examyear now. The highschool here is subdivided in 3 levels. First off all you have the VMBO, this is the lowest of the three. preparatory middle vocational education. I takes 4 years. The second(witch I do) calls HAVO. Higher general vocational education. And then the 3th one is VWO. vocational scientific education. That takes 6 years.

Since the first year I have english, then I was a the age of 11-12. Also in the first year i started with French. In the second year i started with German. At the 4th class you have to choose with witch class you want to do your exam. I choosed for German, so French fell off. So i got only 3 languages left. Dutch (very dificult), German and English.

Thats how it works here in the Netherlands.

After my Highschool i go study. I know what i wanted to do, and that is: international Technology management. The study takes 4 years, and every year in a other country:D. Th first year is in the north of holland, the second year its in Finland, and the 3th year in Germany, and the final year, your can choose at you own where you wanna to go. I think I go to Spain or Italy, but I also want to the USA. I certainly looking forward to it.

Greetings. Thomas
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 7.33 PM - 10/14 2004

Hello Thomas,

Your English was great. Congrats for making the attempt. Just so you know, when Ramon started his project and daily updates here, we often corrected his English, at his request, so he could learn. Over the time of the project his English writing improved dramatically. It was a learning experience for all us us - we learned about his travels and places, he learned to write better in English. :-) Even he probably looks back at some early reports in English and recognizes the advances he has made.

So never fear about writing on an English site when English is your second language. Most of us in the USA are in awe of the people in the rest of the world who speak and write even some English, as we are multi-language "challenged" (meaning, we are not multi-lingual!). We are pretty much untrained and uneducated in languages other than some mandatory introductory classes in High School. It used to be required in college, but is no longer required. There are very few people in the USA who can claim "multi-lingual"!

Be proud of what you wrote in English, and for the effort. And keep on reading!

You mentioned you were reading this book for school? Is the class reading it as a project together?

Cheers,
Joan
 

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Name: Thomas
City, Country: Lochem The Netherlands.
Sent: 3.08 AM - 10/14 2004

First of all I hope I can write this message in english.

I really don't like reading, but i started for school (i'm just 17 years old) reading your book. And i have to say, just afther 3 pages i really liked it. At this moment i'm at page 216 just afther a week. My mom and dad are in shock! I liked the parts when you where in Paris and Australia. Your idea was/is great, but i don't think i have to tell you that, because you have heard it enough, I think. I hope i get a just as clever idea in the future.

I have only one thing to say and that is when your ever, but really ever, go agian somewhere, with this project (i don't think so but just hope it) take me with you please
 

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Name: waleska
City, Country: san german,puerto rico
Sent: 7.09 PM - 10/13 2004

hello; maybe you dont get this but whatever i want to said my dream always is to travel this beautiful world but i cant because always is something that dont let me do it like i dont have money or my job or simply that the people around me dont care about this great dream of me. i wake up every day feeling so bad becase i cant do it.but thanks to great people like you i feel like i was in that places. ahh here in puerto rico is beautiful adios!!!!!
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 6.06 PM - 10/12 2004

Hi Ramon and All,

It's been a little over a month and I was wondering how the book sales and promotions were going for you Ramon? I'd order it, but I can't read Dutch. :-) I'm for sure awaiting the English version someday.

I'm still in LMSFAD withdrawal, and really miss the travel reports, stories, and photos every few days, each week, for a couple of years. Also miss the chat sections with the followers. It was a great time. I spent many a Saturday or Sunday afternoon just reading on LMSFAD, learning so much about places, people, travels, and the supporters and fans here.

Hope all is well with you Ramon, and with all the supporters, followers and the regulars here we all got to know so well. I miss you all!!!!!!

Cheers,
Joan
 

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Name: Jitse
City, Country: Antwerp, Belgium
Sent: 11.52 PM - 9/27 2004

Hoi Ramon! Great! I'm reading your book now and it's fascinating. Probably I'll be leaving to Australia in january (for one year! Yeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaa) and your book has given me some good ideas. Geen zin om mee te komen? Keep up the travelling!
 

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Name: karina
City, Country: venlo
Sent: 8.31 AM - 9/19 2004

Ramon, i have only 1 word to express myself... jealous! You have redefined the verb 'to travel".

 

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Name: Alex
City, Country: Harderwijk
Sent: 1.53 AM - 9/18 2004

Hey Ramon,
I probably won't be the first to tell you that your book is really fantastic!
The fun thing is that I also sell your book, I run a book store in Harderwijk and your book is really selling very good!

Regards, Alex and are there any new things coming up regarding this project or is it all finished for now?
Alex
 

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Name: Raymond
City, Country: bussum/holland
Sent: 5.22 AM - 9/16 2004

Ramon, i travelled the world as well myself (with money) so a little different, and i have to say while i just started your book, you're such a heroe ,... ton's of peoples with big idea's but you did it !!
NOW THAT"S TRAVELLING ........

 

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Name: jackey wood
City, Country: usa
Sent: 8.00 AM - 9/9 2004

This is a great site! I am going to tell my friends about it.
 

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Name: Sylvia Beaumont
City, Country: Scotland UK
Sent: 3.35 PM - 9/4 2004

Hi Ramon

I can't believe it was as long ago as July 2001 that you came to stay with us here in North Berwick - you had an amazing idea which took you to many countries and you must have so many happy memories of your Internet Travels!

Take care Ramon
Regards
Sylvia
 

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Name: Mike Wallace
City, Country: Glasgow, Scotland
Sent: 2.59 PM - 9/2 2004

Oh dear, you seem to becoming a victim of your own success to the extent that your auto-mail list is now so big that the "wannadoo" spam filter is mistaking your always intresting e-mails as SPAM and blocking them! Could you split the list in two to stop this?
 

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Name: Michelle Slack-Smith
City, Country: Australiaah!
Sent: 1.58 PM - 8/27 2004

Hi Ramon

Tonight, I was just surfing the net looking for some accommodation in Port Macquarie (New South Wales, Australia). I found a link of your travels to Port Macquarie from Port Stephens.

Needless to say I've spent the last hour reading about your travels and enjoying your pictures of your travel.

It sounded like a fantastic adventure, but I can also understand how it must have been a relief to stop.

I look forward to letmestayforaday making it's way to Australia in English, otherwise, I'll just spend more hours pouring over the internet.

I hope you realise all of your dreams and more by publishing your book and best wishes for the future.

Regards
Michelle
 

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Name: Young-Kyung Lee
City, Country: Seoul, Korea
Sent: 5.11 AM - 8/13 2004

Wow.. fantastic idea!! great!!
I'll do someday as you did .
your story is very valuable for me.
¸ÚÁ®¿ä!
 

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Name: agustin
City, Country: argentina
Sent: 7.36 PM - 8/10 2004

man you are a hero!!! I wAnt to go on trip from vietnam to fiji...
I wanna know if it was dificult to cominucate in countries that were destructed by globalization...

 

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Name: Amanda Evenhuis
City, Country: Brisbane, Australia
Sent: 2.21 AM - 8/4 2004

Thank you so much for these great photos of Pretoria!!! I'm doing an Urban Design project at my uni, so many tourist photos, no real photos of what the streets look like, until I found your site. Thanks again!!!
 

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Name: Monica Van Maanen
City, Country: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 3.51 PM - 8/2 2004

I really kick myself for having missed you when you were here in Cambridge. The pub you went to is just down the hill from where I live and the people you stayed with are close to where my parents live. With a name like mine (my husband is Dutch) I really should have met up with you. Your site kept me from falling asleep on many a slow night at work and intrigued anyone who passed by. Your photos have often been my desktop wallpaper -- they're so beautiful.
Maybe I'll be able to visit you someday in Zwolle.
Monica
 

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Name: lisa
City, Country: melbourne oz
Sent: 1.58 AM - 6/24 2004

just found you're site! good on ya!
see ya in Melbourne some time!!

 

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Name: Ian Hannaway
City, Country: Stockton-on-Tees
Sent: 9.53 AM - 6/15 2004

Hi Ramon,
jsut checking your letme website, and havign a few laughs at your time here in Stockton, remember the toothache? ouch, hehehehe.
Hope you are keeping well and remember to drop in if you are ever in the area.
Regards,
Ian & Tony.
 

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Name: francesca venturoli
City, Country: ferrara , italy
Sent: 10.01 PM - 6/13 2004

you DO have guts!there's a lot of good things to learn from you. if you get the chance to come to italy i'd be very happy to host you!
 

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Name: Keith and Susanne
City, Country: Mississauga, Canada
Sent: 5.52 PM - 6/12 2004

Hi Ramon.
We continue reading the postings with interest. Your project seems to have taken on a life of its own!
It is clear that you have inspired a lot of people and continue to do so as people 'stumble" over the Letmestayforaday website. You certainly impressed and inspired us Ramon!! Kind regards to you and fellow 'fans".
 

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Name: Jana Engels
City, Country: Wuppertal, germany
Sent: 6.54 AM - 6/12 2004

Entschuldige bitte meine vielen Fehler, ich war so in Ekstase, dass ich viel zu schnell geschrieben habe :-)
 

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Name: Jana Engels
City, Country: Wuppertal, Germany
Sent: 6.51 AM - 6/12 2004

Hi, ich schreib Dir jetzt mal auf Deutsch, mein Englisch ist sehr schlecht...
Ich lass einen Bericht über Dich und war beeindruckt, da ich im Sommer 2003 den Jakobsweg durch Nord-Spanien gelaufen bin und ich in etwa weiß, was Du da auf Dich genommen hast.
Ich habe in diesem Monat schon Erfahrungen fürs Leben gemacht, die mir keiner nehmen kann, aber Du hast echt was erlebt, wo drauf Du immer zurück blicken kannst.
Da sieht man mal, dass die Menschen gar nicht so egoistisch sind. Du hast mir zumindest das Gegenteil bewiesen und mir gezeigt, dass es noch viele menschen auf der welt gibt, die hilfsbereit und offen herzig sind.
Danke :-)
Ich wünsche Dir noch viel Glück für Dein weiteres leben und ich hoffe Du nimmst mir nicht allzu übel, dass ich auf Deutsch geschrieben habe....
Ich bin sehr stolz auf Dich.
Liueben Gruß Jana

 

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Name: Alan Vidi
City, Country: Madonna di Campiglio - Italy -
Sent: 2.29 AM - 6/11 2004

If you are going to pass in this zone, please contact and pick up me. A travel like this was always my dream.
alanvidi@hotmail.com
 

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Name: Bess Herzog
City, Country: Houston, TX USA
Sent: 5.10 PM - 6/5 2004

I really enjoyed yor web site. I think your LetMe Stay For A Day was (is) a wonderful idea. I would welcomeyou as my guest in Houston or at my farm in Costa Rica.
 

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Name: Shh_16
City, Country: Turkey,Adana
Sent: 9.57 AM - 5/15 2004

last year- before i saw your site for the first time- i was a little scared about going to a foreign country(Russia) alone. But then your adventures gave me a courage or some kind of spirit and i had a fantastic time in Russia. Thank you!
 

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Name: Monica
City, Country: Lucca - Italy
Sent: 4.52 AM - 5/10 2004

I envy your brazenness, your courage and your enterprising. Carry on!!! Ciao, Monica
 

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Name: Kelly
City, Country: Dana Point, CA - United States
Sent: 3.12 AM - 4/17 2004

Wow - just happened across this site looking for something else in a google search and now have been browsing this site for 3 bloody hours and totally forgot what I was looking for! Terrific idea - something we all wish we could do, but nobody brave enough to do it, so I have to admire your courage! It's also kind of a breath of fresh air that there still are so many kind people in the world. If you're ever coming to the states, you have a place to stay for a day here, outside Los Angeles! Contact me through www.blaineandkelly.com and we'd be glad to show you the sights! - Kelly
 

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Name: Tsvetkov Dmitry
City, Country: Moscow, Russia
Sent: 8.17 AM - 3/27 2004

I've been impressed by your travel. To tell the truth, I'd like to make something like this myself. Now I am sure about it. And, possily, next summer I'll start my own world around travel. So, I'd live to get your book about your travel. It will be very useful for me in practice. Do you know any other sites of free travelers?
 

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Name: chuck
Sent: 11.50 AM - 3/26 2004

I'm taking a trip to Manitoulin island and your pictures helped me see what the area was like.

nice site.
 

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Name: clare
City, Country: genova, italy
Sent: 9.20 AM - 3/22 2004

I haven't heard of u before a chance clink on your website. fantastic idea. if you want to pass by the capital of culture 2004 you're more than welcome to crash at our flat!! Ciao, skehard@hotmail.com
 

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Name: Nel
City, Country: London ON Canada
Sent: 4.35 PM - 3/16 2004

Hi Ramon. looking forward to reading your book as I enjoyed travelling with you across my beloved country. Saved many pics on my pc and can look back on that with pleasure. So you see you did make a huge impression. Goodluck with all your writing and your future where ever that may lead you.
 

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Name: gary
City, Country: coquitlam B.C.
Sent: 7.17 PM - 3/9 2004

This is a very interesting sight.
I have worked in the north of whitehorse, Anvil mines when they were building it. I got cold just reading about your journey.You can not beat the peaple of the north they are the best I ve ever met.
 

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Name: gisela vicedo
City, Country: Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
Sent: 5.37 PM - 3/1 2004

Hi Ramon, i travelled with your photos and stories for about a year (and remembered my backpacker´s days). I also invited you to stay for a day in house in case you wanted to come to south america. Let me tell you that this invitation is still there for you whenever you want to use it!!
 

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Name: Sylvain Quenel
City, Country: Toulouse, France
Sent: 8.26 AM - 2/28 2004

Hi Ramon !
Your trip was Great !
So you take a rest ?
Maybe we will meet some day !
You already know me :-)
Now I am going to Russia,
Have a nice day,

Sylvain , France ....

 

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Name: Mark Mateo
City, Country: Manila, Philippines
Sent: 3.37 AM - 2/27 2004

I love your site especially the cross-country journey in Canada! It let's people who can't afford to travel (like me) to circle the world in just a click of a button. I hope you could visit the Philippines one day even though my country is having a bad time with the world press. Good luck with all your endeavours.
 

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Name: Chris Myers
City, Country: Preston, England
Sent: 9.14 PM - 2/18 2004

Good on you mate, i think your great. Next time go to ireland and belfast you'll love it there, the girls ar mad for it!!!
 

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Name: blomke
City, Country: Beetgum
Sent: 10.29 AM - 2/18 2004

Geweldig deze site, ik vind het fantastisch!!

groetjes

www.simmerblomkes.com
 

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Name: RaveL Schaffer
City, Country: Brazil
Sent: 11.27 AM - 2/15 2004

Great your history, and your life, someday I`ll so the same...
Congratulations dude!

by raveL. Brazil
 

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Name: Empress_Toxic
City, Country: Ipoh, Malaysia
Sent: 5.32 AM - 2/8 2004

Hi...
Just wanted to say, nice site and what a life!
 

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Name: eva and bob
City, Country: whitbourne newfoundland
Sent: 12.01 PM - 1/27 2004

we wanted to wish you a happy new year.hope every thing is good with you.really miss reading your adventures.hope to hear from you soon eva
 

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Name: Juliana
City, Country: Sydney, Australia
Sent: 12.06 AM - 1/7 2004

I loved reading your travel stories. It sounds like the most amazing adventure. I travelled for 3 months last year..and very keen to do it all over again!

Take care
Jules
 

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Name: ugochukwu ogbonnaya
City, Country: uzuakoli, nigeria
Sent: 8.41 PM - 12/19 2003

i learnt about you and your 'waky' ideas and website from the first tuesday organization, south africa, to which i maintain a non- registered member status. i'm a 25 year old male undergraduate student of geography struggling with my own creative enterprise ideas. i like your guts, your ideas and great successes so far and would want to identify with you. please, more powers to your creative elbow!

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Name: Alice Wells
City, Country: Reading, England
Sent: 6.22 AM - 12/19 2003

I have just read the opening bit and to my astonishment being the dumb person I am realised you'd finished your expedition, well good luk with the book and if you get it published I will of course be out early to get it!
 

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Name: Alice Wells
City, Country: Reading, England
Sent: 6.17 AM - 12/19 2003

Hey, I read about this website in the book I'm reading at the moment called the incredable internet and the section on this web page made me laugh I thought it was just a stupid but when I typed in the address I was amazed! I just want to say cpngrats on your achievement so far I may only be 13, 14 in a few days but I think what you've done is incredible and will be checking your progress regulaly!
 

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Name: Jeff Bishop
City, Country: currently ankara, turkey
Sent: 3.26 PM - 12/17 2003

it's people like you that give wanderers like me hope. thanks just for being there and letting us know it can happen.
 

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Name: Kelly Anderson
City, Country: London, Canada
Sent: 1.13 AM - 12/17 2003

Working midnights and had a few extra moments to catch up on your website. Very sorry to see that this adventure has ended! Merry Christmas
 

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Name: Keith and Susanne
City, Country: Mississauga, Canada
Sent: 9.46 PM - 12/12 2003

Happy Birhday Ramonon on Dec.20.
Sorry to read about your illness.
We hope things will pick up!
 

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Name: Keith and Susanne
City, Country: Mississauga, Canada
Sent: 9.42 PM - 12/12 2003

Happy Birhday Ramonon on Dec.20.
Sorry to read about your illness.
We hope things will pick up!
 

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Name: Binesh Balakrishnan
City, Country: Chennai , India
Sent: 7.29 AM - 12/12 2003

hi i m binesh frm india i'd like 2 invite u
 

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Name: Fernando
City, Country: Luján Bs As. Argentina
Sent: 6.55 AM - 12/8 2003

Hola, que tal la verdad que su web esta muy buena, y mas me interesa todo el tema de mochila, yo vivo en Luján Buenos Aires Argentina y este año tambien me voy de mochila al sur Argentino.
Este es mi sitio web www.mafiosos.8m.com
Chau y suerte en tus viajes.
 

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Name: eva and bob
City, Country: whitbourne nfld
Sent: 11.26 AM - 11/11 2003

just wanted to say hello from nfld.hope everything is good with you.email us sometime and let us know how you are.hope you have a great christmas......
 

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Name: Bridget
City, Country: Michigan, USA
Sent: 12.38 PM - 11/2 2003

I....Cant beleive you did this and I didn't know about it until now. How great, I wish I thought of it first, so I could do my traveling..
 

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Name: Kand S
City, Country: Mississauga,Ontario, Canada
Sent: 5.16 PM - 10/28 2003

Greetings to Jan en Joke.
We appreciated the words you wrote.
 

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Name: Rod Nelson
City, Country: Sheboygan, Wi, usa
Sent: 5.12 AM - 10/27 2003

I am sorry to see your adventure end, but I Understand, Life must go on, I hope you plan on writing a book, I so enjoyed reading your reports.
They enabled me to travel with you, To places I will never be able to go. I wish you the best, and disc our addresses, just in case wanderlust invades you again.

Best Wishes and may good fortune follow you.

Rod Nelson, Sheboygan, Wi

 

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Name: Eelyn
City, Country: Zurich, Switzerland
Sent: 4.31 AM - 10/27 2003

hello Ramon,
i am Eelyn from Zurich.
I just wanted to tell you that i used to read and
follow your travels everyday since you started.
I am sad that you have stopped now... BUT
am happy for you that you decided this.

I wish you best of luck in the future and i hope you
are happy in whatever you choose to do = more people
should be brave enough to live their dreams...and you
are a great example of someone who is courageous!

tshuss...:-)
 

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Name: Nickie
City, Country: England
Sent: 10.45 AM - 10/23 2003

I first saw your website about a year ago and I am ashamed to say that I forgot to read the updates.

I am glad that you enjoyed your experience and finished it when you felt necessary.

Good luck in any future projects.
 

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Name: valentina
City, Country: Piacenza, Italy
Sent: 2.11 AM - 10/18 2003

Hey..i'm sorry to read now your story, very exciting!!!
When you would to come in Italy...You'll have a house here..mine...Good luck for all...Ciao Vale
 

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Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 1.52 PM - 10/17 2003

hello ramon and all your support team, it's nice to see the website page still available! best wishes to all. :)
ciao, donatella
 

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Name: Jan en Joke
City, Country: Ouderkerk; Holland
Sent: 1.23 PM - 9/29 2003

We as parents of Ramon, will thank everyone for the support and reactions. We will miss it. We will miss all the reactions and compliments which Ramon recieved and which gave us a very proud feeling. We even liked the corrections when Ramon went over the line.
We too have a lot of time over now to do other things
and are also waiting for his book.
Greetings to all the followers of Ramon's website. Maybe we "meet" each other when Ramon has a new idea.

Jan en Joke

 

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis
Sent: 11.08 PM - 9/26 2003

I will thank you one more time, Ramon! Your project WAS a success. If you were made weary it may mean that there was not enough downtime built in to the project, but all that you shared with us Internet junkies was priceless, and we all owe you a great debt of gratitude for letting us in on it. I saved your Canada movie on my desktop before you pulled it from the site; thanks for that! It is great! I shared it with my Canadian friend and he immensely enjoyed it. I wish you luck in your future endeavors, whatever they may be, and also that time be kind to you in every way.
 

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Name: Han Neng
City, Country: Singapore
Sent: 3.24 PM - 9/26 2003

Hi Ramon,
I have been following your reports since mid of 2001, and I really enjoy reading them.

I am sad to hear that letmestayforaday.com is going to close.

You have done this meaningful and great project for yourself.

Wish good luck to you.
best regards
hanneng
 

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Name: Jocelyne
City, Country: Montreal, Canada
Sent: 12.42 PM - 9/25 2003

Thank you Ramon,

It was always a big pleasure to read about the reports every day. I appreciated each of them. Your project was such a great idea.

I am sad to see that your website will disappear soon but the project is over. Life goes on.

Thank you again for all those great moments.


 

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Name: Bob Reid
City, Country: Toronto Canada
Sent: 8.22 AM - 9/22 2003

Hey Ramon,
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your "Final Movie" of Canada was not only beautiful but touching. The faces flashing across the screen as Canadians helped you on your way made me want to move to that place... and I already live here. This short video jarred me awake enough to realize the greatness of my country and renew appreciation for our freedon loving neighbours south of our border. You did a perfect job explaining that we are fun to visit and I fully anticipate we will be seeing some back pack buddies from around the world showing up in great numbers. They might not get treated as well as Ramon but I'll bet they will want to stay. Hello to your support staff too.. they look like a couple of cutie pies .
Rgds and tks again, Bob.. Toronto
p.s. I sure miss your daily reports.
 

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Name: Susanne and Keith
City, Country: Ontario, Canada
Sent: 1.37 PM - 9/13 2003

Hi Ramon.
We miss your daily reports as they were always so interesting, humerous and enlightening. They become a major part of our life for a while.

Thanks. We wanted to have you visit us but just as you were coming to Toronto we were driving to New Brunswick to visit old friends for a few days. We were so sad to miss you as we had plans to take you to the CN Tower and Niagara Falls.

We were happy to read in your reports that you got to experience these places under happy circumstances. Unfortunatly not with us:( ARGH!!!!

You seem to be an amazing guy Ramon. We wish you contentment and fun. THANK YOU RAMON.

Kind regards and best wishes,
Susanne and Keith.
 

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Name: OLMeROs
City, Country: Dietlikon, Switzerland
Sent: 11.41 PM - 9/11 2003

We have followed your trip from the distance. It looks like you just have come back. Good reintegration!
 

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Name: Emma
City, Country: Montreal
Sent: 12.40 PM - 8/21 2003

You have had a most interesting time in Canada, Ramon, and it is so good to read your reports and the history you have learned of this amazing country. I hope you'll keep your website open a long long time--I found it many months ago after one of your first telephone interviews with CJAD's Anthony--glad you met him in person. Have a fantastic life!
 

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Name: maRia
City, Country: Montreal , Canada
Sent: 11.23 AM - 8/20 2003

Hi Ramon,
I really find this cool, i mean you are travelling all aroudn teh world (well almost) for freeeee! WOW..anyways i heard about you on teh radio (CJAD) in Montreal when you came down here. You were actually on the station and when i herd about you i was in AWW!
I hope you get to go to every country and have fun!
bye bye
God bless
maRia
 

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Name: Ramon Stoppelenburg
City, Country: The Netherlands
Sent: 2.31 AM - 8/16 2003

Great response from Turkey lately, but can anybody tell me in what newspaper I was in. I would love to know what they wrote about me this time ;-)
 

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Name: ARÝF KAMBUROGLU
City, Country: ANKARA/TURKEY
Sent: 8.19 PM - 8/15 2003

Hi Ramon,travelling for free and making a lot of fun.
cool idea.come and down to ankara/turkey.capital city of Turkey.nice good people are all here .take care man...

 

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Name: U.Onur
City, Country: Canakkale,Turkey
Sent: 5.28 AM - 8/15 2003

Hi Ramon,I read your travelling in newspaper.And ý visited your site.I hope you visit to Turkey and my city.Canakkale is very nice city.Ýn Canakkale you can see Troia,Gallipoli...I think you should come to Turkey.Best wishes..
 

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Name: C.Devrim Gorken
City, Country: Izmir ,Turkey
Sent: 11.43 AM - 8/14 2003

I read about you and your idea of travelling in today's paper.I think it is a great chance to get many friends all over the world.I wish you the best for your future visits.If you are ever to visit Turkey I will be glad to help you around the city I live in.Good luck...
 

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Name: Monique
City, Country: the Netherlands
Sent: 11.58 AM - 8/9 2003

Hi Ramon, I've read a piece of your website and I think that what you have been doing is fantastic. I want to wish you good luck and a lot of fun on your further trip.
 

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Name: Valerie
City, Country: Paris On.
Sent: 10.31 AM - 7/27 2003

i hope u have an awsem time in all the places u visit!!i have traveled alot of places myself but...i have a question for you what is your worst moment in your traviling experiences?hope to see you sometime in my life.
valerie
 

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Name: eva and bob
City, Country: whitbourne nfld
Sent: 1.23 AM - 7/26 2003

Hi Ramon,glad to see you made it to the other side of canada safety.seems like you had more fun down east!We have been following your travels,and it looks like you are having a lot of fun.I know your family will be happy to see you after all this time.we enjoyed your stay with us very much,and if you are ever back this way again you have a home in nfld.maybe your family will want to visit sometime,if so just let us know.Good luck and best wishes for your future.friends forever bob and eva
 

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Name: Ellie
City, Country: Richmond, IN U.S.A.
Sent: 5.18 AM - 7/25 2003

Hello Ramon!:) I have traveled along with you on all your journeys through the wonderful newsletters you've provided us with. Now that you are returning to your home land, I want to thank you for including us in your adventure. I also want to wish you a happy homecoming, and best of everything in the future. We look forward to updates, and hopefully, to your BOOK! :) Take Care!:) Ellie
 

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Name: M.L.Lewis
City, Country: Dartmouth, Canada
Sent: 1.51 PM - 7/24 2003

Have enjoyed your travelogue of Canada so much. Canada is such a special place,I hope you got some of the magic.
God speed always!
 

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Name: Amanda
City, Country: Utrecht, The Netherlands
Sent: 12.43 PM - 7/24 2003

Hello Ramon,

I admire what you did and are doing. And understand a little bit how you must be feeling, coming back to Zwolle, since I grew up in the same area.

Whenever you feel like another crazy idea is coming up, do so, you'll never have the-puppy-syndrome.

Live life to the fullest, whenever, where-ever.

Amanda
 

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Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 12.26 PM - 7/24 2003

hello ramon, since you're at the end of your "canadian chapter" I wish you a relaxing/funny rentrée at home in the netherlands. have a nice flight.
ciao, donatella
 

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Name: Bob Reid
City, Country: Toronto
Sent: 11.17 AM - 7/23 2003

Hey Ramon, (..about the Calgary photos)
You are a travel legend followed by millions... don't blow all of your sponsorship by showing too many drunk in the washroom photos. I love to see you having a blast...
Have some fun and stay focused on the project.. I love your stuff.
Bob Reid / Toronto
 

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Name: J & K Little
City, Country: Halifax, Canada
Sent: 2.09 PM - 7/21 2003

Hey Ramon,

As your Canada leg winds down, I wanted say how much we enjoyed having you visit us, what fun you were to have around and how much we continue to enjoy following your travels. We'll see you soon, whether it's in Europe or Asia, Africa or South America!
 

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Name: astrid v/d meulen
City, Country: the netherlands
Sent: 2.29 AM - 7/21 2003

he ramon

i realy like what you are doing the idee was wunderfull i hope you will travel around the world for a long time to come and i dont think you get bord of it
good luck and have a wicked time

gr astrid
 

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Name: David
City, Country: Aachen, Germany
Sent: 9.10 AM - 7/19 2003

Hey Ramon, I've been visiting your page for some time now and think your project is absolutely awesome. Where are you heading next after returning to Zwolle?
 

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Name: Susn de Courcy
City, Country: Montreal Canada
Sent: 1.58 PM - 7/16 2003

What a shame that I heard about you too late. Would have loved to have met you in Montreal. Next time around. Isn't that West Edmonton Mall something. I would hate to have to shop there but I guess you could pass a bitterly cold winter day there.
Good luck!
 

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Name: Amanda Grant
City, Country: Saint John, New Brunswick Canada
Sent: 7.48 AM - 7/16 2003

Hello!
I was amazed to see what your doing and have been doing so successfully! It is amazing that there are still decent people in the world that will open their door to a stranger. I hope you enjoy your travels and keep safe. Good luck. I hope you enjoyed the province of New Brunswick, and All of Canada for that matter. It is a beautiful place to visit and for Free!!! What else could one ask for!

Peace!

Amanda Grant :)
 

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Name: bhuppi bawa
City, Country: mississauga,canada
Sent: 6.13 PM - 7/15 2003

hi
this morning i hear about your traveling around the world. its a wonderful idea. hope you are enjoying it,to see more and more people
 

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Name: Jon Whitney
City, Country: NYC, USA
Sent: 1.34 PM - 7/15 2003

Ramon,

Thanks for providing such a wonderful travelogue.

I live in the NYC area and I visit Montreal and Quebec City as often as possible. I have always wondered what the other provinces of Canada and it's people were like? Just as I thought quirky, kind and very hospitable.

I have been glued to your site most of the day just reading about your adventures.

Hopefully you will not let your one dull adventure in Oregon color your impressions of the USA. Like Canada we are quirky but friendly as well.
 

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Name: Mark
City, Country: Calgary, Canada
Sent: 12.11 PM - 7/15 2003

Free Loader...I like it!!

You should have went on Leno...don't miss out on your 15 minutes of fame...but it's okay I hear letterman is still interested...call him...quick!!
 

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Name: John & Pat Wylie
City, Country: Lakefield, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 11.25 AM - 7/15 2003

What a tremendous learning experience and adventure this has been for you! Good luck in all your future endeavours!
 

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Name: Janice Dunphy
City, Country: London, On, Ca
Sent: 8.35 AM - 7/15 2003

What a wonderful experience you are having. It is great to read about your adventures in Canada. Wish you all the best. Keep posting.
Janice
 

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Name: Alexis
City, Country: Smithers, British Colombia
Sent: 6.15 AM - 7/15 2003

Good Luck!!!!
I like you idea and I think it's great that so many people are willing to help you out.
I hope all goes well for you, Ramon.
-Alexis
 

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Name: Paul Doff
City, Country: Edmonton, AB. Canada
Sent: 6.10 AM - 7/15 2003

I heard about you on the CBC II this morning. I hope you enjoy Edmonton and are staying with us during Klondike Days.
 

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Name: Cedar
City, Country: Edmonton
Sent: 6.15 PM - 7/14 2003

Enjoy the Calgary Stampede. If you get tired of all that interaction with people there is also a great zoo in Calgary! Don't know what you saw of Edmonton, but you've got to check out THE MALL if you haven't already, just so you can say - been there - done that! One of Edmonton's best features is its extensive river valley trail system, making it possible to walk or bike from one end of the city to the other. It's like being in the country only better as there are fewer mosquitos!
 

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Name: Anne
City, Country: Montreal, Canada
Sent: 9.17 AM - 7/12 2003

Hi Ramon!

I overheard someone talking about LMSFAD at our swimming pool and decided to check it out.

I have spent the past couple of weeks totally engrossed in your complete website... and have been telling anyone who will listen about it.

I have done a little traveling myself in the past year (UK, Ireland and Australia) and tried to keep a personnal journal of my day to day adventures, so I can really appreciate all your hard work! (I'm still working on mine!) It was quite amazing to me to read your experiences about some of the same places I visited eg. Dublin, Belfast, (I convinced a friend to drive me up Shankhill and Falls road... facinating!)Sydney, Blue Mountains, Melbourne, Cairns etc... Not to mention of course your experiences in our great country CANADA. So now I, like alot of others, am a complete LMSFAD junky and I wait in anticipation for your next postings. I wish you continued success... Thanks for the inspiration!!!
 

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Name: Rineke
City, Country: Graft, The Netherlands
Sent: 5.03 AM - 7/12 2003

Hi Ramon,
The best of luck to you. I think it's great to see someone make his dreams come true.It proves that if you really want something, there's always a way! Looking forward to your book about this all! By the way, ever heard of Graft? Bet you never been there!
Rineke
 

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Name: fishlee
City, Country: shanghaichina
Sent: 1.51 AM - 7/12 2003

take care!I love this idea
 

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Name: Mirjam
City, Country: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
Sent: 12.37 PM - 7/11 2003

Ramon,
Havent had a chance to read your column in the Sp!ts for a while now but your site is a good substitute :) Saw you were still out and about! Excellent!Enjoy Canada & the Canadians, stop by Evert van Bethem! Enjoy your 'vacation' in the Netherlands afterwards If you do make it across to the USA makes sure you stop over here! (no donuts but stroopwafels!) groetjes
mirm

thums up for turning down Jay L (good show but would make life and travelling different for sure!)
 

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Name: Geoff
City, Country: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Sent: 12.22 PM - 7/10 2003

Everytime i go to Toronto i am blessed with the opportunity of being harrassed by beggars and other social degenerates. Although the concept of travelling around the world for FREE is quite entrepeneural, i dont understand the facination of following a glorified beggar on the internet. Many people in society life thier lives vicariously through others as many people are doing with you. I think these people should get a life of thier own.
 

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Name: Ada
City, Country: Alberta, Canada
Sent: 6.50 PM - 7/8 2003

Hey! I saw you on Canada AM! you seemed quite cool.

You were offered a guest spot on Jay Leno but he turned it down because you didn't want people to invite you to stay only to ask "What was it like to sit next to Tom Cruise/Drew Barrymore/Paul Newman/etc...."

I thought it was a good point!
 

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Name: Scott
City, Country: NY, NY
Sent: 12.43 PM - 7/8 2003

Very cool - congrats on a successful trip so far.
 

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Name: arjen nouta
City, Country: leeuwarden netherlands
Sent: 11.58 AM - 7/8 2003

Ramon, keep up the good stuff. Heard about you by Giel Beelen on 3 fm radio. I hope you'll make it another two weeks. Been to Brandon and Winnipeg myself. spent also a weekend in Calgary. u must go to Cowboys. Best place ever. greetz Arjen
 

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Name: Marty
City, Country: Burlington, NC, USA
Sent: 5.08 PM - 7/6 2003

Awesome idea.... would love to have the time (and nerve) to do this too....

Take care..!!
 

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Name: Paul Willock
City, Country: London, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 11.08 AM - 7/5 2003

Ramon, just read about you in the London Free Press and the whole idea facinates me. The paper questioned if people are nervous to invite a stranger into their homes but I thing that would be the last of my worries. I am what some would call a senior citizen and my travelling days are somewhat limited. I hope you keep up the travels and don't forget that "he who dies with the most stories wins". Damn I wish I had thought of this idea first.

Regards, and lots of travels
Paul
 

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Name: Lisa Marie
City, Country: Selkirk, MB (1/2 hr north of Wpg)
Sent: 3.51 PM - 7/4 2003

Heard you on the radio this morning (HOT 103.1) so I thought I'd check out your website. Cool. Very Cool.
 

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Name: Renee
City, Country: Winnipeg, MB, CA
Sent: 3.50 PM - 7/4 2003

I didn't know about this website or what you are doing until I heard you on the radio this morning (July 4). I love to travel as well, and I really admire your courage, passion and determination to do this. So, have fun and good luck on your travelling.
 

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Name: Michelle
City, Country: Winnipeg
Sent: 6.08 AM - 7/4 2003

I heard you on a local radio station this morning (103.1fm)and as soon as I got to work I had to check out your website. very interesting...too bad I didn't think of that while I was travelling! I hope you enjoy Winnipeg and Canada as much as I enjoyed the Netherlands. Good luck with everything!
 

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Name: Jenna Ducharme
City, Country: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Sent: 5.47 AM - 7/4 2003

I heard you on the radio station Hot 103 with Frankie and Jo Jo this morning and I think what you are doing is just great. There should be more trusting people like you in the world today. I wish for you good health and happiness in your future escapades.
 

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Name: mary
City, Country: moncton,newbrunswick
Sent: 5.54 PM - 7/2 2003

While "housesitting" for family in Dartmouth,N.S. I heard you were looking for a place to stay and as Dartmouth was your next stop,I wanted to invite you to stay with us but my husband thought we would be too boring! I am enjoying reading about your travels.What an adventure every life is!
 

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Name: Elife
City, Country: Adana,Turkey
Sent: 12.45 PM - 7/1 2003

hi,Ramon. i heard about this site before but i haven't had the chance to look at it-your trip is fascinating!
i have a question(i would be glad if you answer it.)
i will go to St.Petersburg(alone)3 weeks later. but i have never been to a foreign country before. So , can you give me some advice about the things that i should be careful about in a foreign country? and if u been to Russia before,what can you say about that place?

RAMON:
If you are fearful you should not be travelling. Enjoy the fact that you are somewhere else, absorb the culture, taste the food, meet the locals and keep your eyes open for everyting beautiful. If you worry about things too much, even about friendly Russia, stay at home.
 

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Name: Carol
City, Country: Edmonton, AB CANADA
Sent: 9.16 PM - 6/30 2003

Glad you are enjoying your time in Canada. Too bad you will be 'railroading' your way through the Prairies. You're going to be missing some intersting attractions, especially in Alberta. The UFO landing pad, Vulcan, Reynolds Museum, a rodeo, Drumheller(Royal Tyrrell Museum), Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, pyrogies in the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, hang out on the beach & waterslides in Sylvan Lake, Stephansson House, Waterton Lakes National Park,& the rural prairie/parkland countryside.
Hope you enjoyed your time and come back to really get a good feel for the middle of Canada.
 

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Sent: 5.35 PM - 6/30 2003

Hi Ramon.
We want to wish you a very happy Canada Day!
Through your web site you have introduced us to a lot of wonderful Canadians. Thank you! We are very proud to be Canadian.
Keith + Susanne
 

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Name: valerie
City, Country: Paris.On
Sent: 2.24 PM - 6/29 2003

hey Ramon,LEAVING CANADA! Where r u planing on going next? Remember to make kitchener 5 times visited!!

RAMON:
Hi Valerie, I don't know where you have lately looked in the reports, but I had to skip Kitchener because none of the hosts there were available when I passed through. I am on the edge of already leaving Ontario, I haven't left Canada yet.
 

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Name: Lise Malette
City, Country: Sudbury, Ontario CANADA
Sent: 5.14 PM - 6/26 2003

Hi Ramon,
Just wanted to thank you for staying over yesterday. We all enjoyed your company.

The boys thought you were an awesome guy. Hope you enjoyed Sudbury! Talk to you soon.

Rick, Lise, Alain, Eric
 

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Name: Brian and Elaine Rose
City, Country: Huntsville, ON.,Canada
Sent: 5.13 PM - 6/26 2003

Hi Everybody,
Just a short note to let everybody know about Ramone's stay with us. We live near Huntsville Ontario and we asked Ramone to stay for two nights. I have to say that he is a very friendly and outgoing person. He knows how to make new acquaintances and makes people feel at home in their OWN houses. There were never any awkward moments except when he said that he didn't like Shania Twain.
Ramone likes trying new things, so if he wants to jump off the Bridge into the river in downtown Dorset, in front of hordes of females... let him.
Also he is a great driver. He loves practising his skills as he does not do a lot of this in Holland... so let him be YOUR driver.
He seems to like donuts a lot because he always talks about them. We didn't buy him any... but you should.
Anyway he doesn't make a pig of himself, he is very clean and has good manners.
We enjoyed being hosts to Ramon and hope that you have the opportunity as well.

Sincerely!
brian and elaine rose
 

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Name: Joanne
City, Country: London, Canada
Sent: 5.12 PM - 6/26 2003

I am enjoyingthe trip with you, seeing the world through your eyes.
Thanks
 

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Name: Julie
City, Country: Orillia, ON, Canada
Sent: 5.18 PM - 6/19 2003

It was so nice to meet you today at dinner!!! I'd never heard of your travels until this morning when I spoke with Evan at work. Twenty three months and going! Is there any place you haven't been yet?!!! It sounds very interesting and I hope that I have the chance someday to travel as well. I hope you enjoy your stay in Orillia and don't forget to post the picture of the "LAVA" sauce from Brewery Bay!!! Keep on truckin' and have fun doin' it! All the best! Julie
 

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Name: bruce cooke
City, Country: pompton lakes, new jersey, usa
Sent: 4.03 PM - 6/17 2003

my wife and i have a large house in northern new jersey, near new york city. our kids moved away a few years ago, and my mother-in-law moved in!

a couple of years ago, our daughter lived in the netherlands, near amsterdam, and worked as a nanny to support her trips to cathedrals and museums.

yes, we would like you to stay for a day and night with us. we lived in canada (alberta and ontario) for three years, in the early 1970s, and i am enjoying your journal.

bruce (and lisa) cooke
 

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Name: Harry Heatherington Sr.
City, Country: Honeywood, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 1.50 PM - 6/17 2003

Ramon:

A big "thumbs up" to you young man! I, like many others, am absolutely fascinated with your venture. It kind of makes me feel young again. (I'm over 75 now)

There is nothing like the spirit of man when he makes his mind up. Unfortunately, too many people haven't realized this and just spend their lives coasting. Not you 'me boy. Keep "going-for-it" all your life.

This project of yours should act as an inspiration to everyone as to what man/woman can do if they just make their minds up to do it!

God bless you (and your friends involved at home with you)

Harry Heatherington Sr.
 

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Name: Elaine & Toney Ruddock
City, Country: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 6.59 PM - 6/16 2003

Hi, Ramon! Toney & I hope you enjoyed your stay in Cambridge with my sister, Laura and her husband, Jaro.

We really enjoyed meeting you. Pub night at the "not-so-Irish-Fiddler's-Green" was good fun, and I'm glad you liked the CD.

I'm looking forward to reading what you thought of our town, and your trip down the Grand River. It's just too bad that we didn't have more time to spend together. Should you ever be passing through and need a place to stay, Toney & I would love to have you!

Keep in mind that Friday, August 13, 2004 is the next "Friday 13th run" we'll be making with the bikers of North America. We'd love to be your host for that!

Question: How long do you plan to travel, and what do you plan to do when you're done? Both Toney and I have a passion for world travel, so we're quite envious, and wish you "happy trails."

And all the best!!!
 

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Name: Robert & Daisy
City, Country: New Zealand
Sent: 4.55 PM - 6/16 2003

Hi Ramon,

I enjoyed following your travel very much and have been reading your website since you left Amsterdam. I think you have a pretty healthy attitude towards travelling and don't be distracted by others who have their own ideas.

Your website have shown that although we may look different on the outside, we are all very similar inside, no matter which part of the world we come from or live in, be it Europe, South Africa, Australia or Canada. Your website showed us that the daily life and routine of your hosts are not at all that different from ours.

Cheers!
Robert.
 

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Name: Keith and Susanne
City, Country: Mississauga
Sent: 11.18 AM - 6/16 2003

Hi Ramon.
Keith and I drove to New Brunswick, visited with old friends and went sightseeing to some places you mentioned in previous reports. Hopewell Capes, Magnetic Hill, St.Stephens, St Andrews, Reversing Falls in Saint John, O'Leary's (good band).On the return trip we spend half a day sightseeing under sunny skys in beautiful Quebec City. You have had an influence on us! We would never have gone to O'Leary's if you had not mentioned the place :)
I hope we get to share a meal with you before you leave Ontario. Our invitation to you still stands.
Kind regards.
 

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Name: Wendy Matthew
City, Country: Victoria, Canada
Sent: 12.28 PM - 6/14 2003

Hi Ramon,

I've enjoyed reading your daily reports, and especially looking at your pictures. There's one thing I'm curious about. I hope this isn't too personal, but I'm wondering if you've ever developed feelings for anyone you've met in your travels. There are several attractive young women in your pictures, like the girls in London, another one in Prince George, one in Nunavut, and several more I'm sure. Have any of them ever made you wish you could just stay and get to know them better, rather than getting back on the road again?

thanks for your travel reports,
Wendy

RAMON:
Maybe I will tell you all about that one day. In a book you can buy ;-)

I look forward to reading the book Ramon! One of the girls you stayed with was particularly nice. I'll be curious to know whether you thought so too.
all the best,
Wendy
 

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Name: Sonja van der Hulle
City, Country: Ouderkerk aan den IJssel, Netherlands
Sent: 10.52 AM - 6/14 2003

I admire you for what you're doing; travelling around the world without any money! I reed your column in the Spits every tuesday. I never thought a guy from such a small town could get this far! Good luck with your journey and greetings from an old neighbour.
 

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Name: jamela
City, Country: glasgow, Ky, USA
Sent: 6.06 AM - 6/13 2003

just love what you are doing! exploring my own creative impulses for adventure and love all the motivation i can get. will be a frequent visitor! God bless!
 

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Name: Valerie
City, Country: Paris,On.
Sent: 3.17 PM - 6/12 2003

Hey Ramon!this is so kool wat u r doing.My sister told me this web site adn then i read it u have some intresting stories.Where are u planing to saty next because my sister Emily really wants you to stay at her house!!she is on your website every day.She lives in Kitchener.
What are your favourt sports i play soccer and am very good i love hockey and cant belive that anehime lost the cup!And I am in Gr.5 hahaha pretty young.i really hope on seeing u in Canada @ my sisters house!!!!!!!!!!BIG wishes on traveling the world
 

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Name: Bear
City, Country: New Brunswick (NJ) USA
Sent: 7.10 AM - 6/12 2003

This is great! You are a great writer!
When you finally make it to the states, come to New Jersey!
I'll send an official invite when I can figure out where to "sleep" you!

Keep it up! I look forward to travelling more with you!
Bear
 

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Name: Bronwyn
City, Country: Toronto, Canada
Sent: 8.20 PM - 6/11 2003

Hey Ramon
I just discovered your webpage yesterday, it is amazing. Someone wise once told me "Find what you love to do and do it" and you are doing just that. So good on ya. And as the song says "Keep on Rockin the Free World"
Stay Safe
Bronwyn
 

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Name: Kirsten Campbell
City, Country: Canadian in Oxford, UK
Sent: 7.10 AM - 6/11 2003

Hey Ramon!

What an amazingly incredible trip you're on! Wow - good on ya!!! :) EXTREMEMLY JEALOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the best,
Kirsten
 

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Name: Rob Quinn
City, Country: Canada
Sent: 6.33 AM - 6/11 2003

you're incredible dude!
don't ever stop.

kind regards,
Rob Quinn
(can't even begin to tell you how much i envy you)
 

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Name: Rick Hambleton
City, Country: Ontario, Canada
Sent: 6.31 AM - 6/11 2003

Hey Ramon
to live is to change, I admire the adventure you're untertaking..true freedom in every sense of the word.
Take care and bon voyage!
 

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Name: Christian
City, Country: Vancouver, Canada
Sent: 9.21 PM - 6/10 2003

Damn, why didn't I think of this first.
 

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Name: Sylvia Martin
City, Country: Edmonton, Alberta
Sent: 7.17 PM - 6/10 2003

Hi Ramon - it was so nice to pick up the National Post at work this morning and see you on the front page (as well as page 3!). This is such a fun adventure for your faithful readers, as well as for you! Keep up the great WORK.

Sylvia
 

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Name: Michelle Hartling
City, Country: Burlington, Ontario
Sent: 10.25 AM - 6/10 2003

I wish I would have known about you before today!! How interesting! I would have loved to have followed you for 2 years and see all you have seen! Thanks for all the pictures for us who want to travel and never DO!!! :) Stay safe Michelle
 

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Name: Steve Hogle
City, Country: Edmonton, Canada
Sent: 8.49 AM - 6/10 2003

Hey Ramon!
I was wondering if you're heading to Western Canada. I am the news director at a tv station in Edmonton and, after reading the yarn in the Post today, I would love to hook a reporter up with you. And I'm sure we'll have a place for you to stay if need be!
Sincerely
Steve Hogle
CFRN Edmonton
 

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Name: Isabelle Priess
City, Country: Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 7.36 AM - 6/10 2003

My son Chris has sent me your web address and I will be following your adventures. I am very proud of Chris and pleased that he showed you how gracious Canadians can be. Sounds like you are having an exciting life....live it to the fullest and God Bless You.
 

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Name: susan
City, Country: kingston,Ontario
Sent: 4.30 AM - 6/10 2003

Hi Ramon...I was speaking with my brother the other day and he told me about you. He is the "Steve" you met in St Catharines :)) I wish you well in your travels. Stay safe always,
susan
 

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Name: Ocimar Martins dos Santos
City, Country: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 6.38 PM - 6/9 2003

Hey, Ramon. In a daily basis, I have enjoyed so much your site, and everything about your tour in Canada. I hope you have enjoyed Toronto. Is a great city! I hope you have the chance to know Mississauga, the second largest city in the Greater Toronto Area. By the way, in one of your pictures, in route between the Island Airport and St Catharines, you mismentioned one of the pictures. Where you say is the port of the City of Burlington, that place is Port Credit, a small comunity amalgamated with Mississauga.
Best regards!
Ocimar
 

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Name: Ernie Leidy
City, Country: Telford, PA U.S.A.
Sent: 6.15 PM - 6/9 2003

Ramon:

You continually take issue with the Americans. I think you are unhappy with the administration and Bush, but it could be interpreted either Bush or the people.

Bush is not a good leader. He is only a public relations figure and not a very good one at that. However, he and the current administration are good examples of what power (money) can do.
.
Many millions of people from the U.S.A. are not for Bush, and when we read some of your criticisms about Americans it can be hard to take. The result will be, if you are still planning to visit the U.S.A. in the future, I think you will miss out on getting some invitations from some very nice people.

With that said, I would like to also say, I have read every report and seen every picture since your first trip and am looking forward to your tour of the U.S.A.



 

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Name: jwells
City, Country: Toronto
Sent: 8.14 AM - 6/9 2003

Ramon, YOUR MAILBOX IS FULL (June 9/03) ... others will want to reach you. Empty it. I'll look forward to seeing Mary Vallis' report in the National Post. Best wishes on the rest of your trip.

RAMON:
Yeah, I noticed that. Got too many emails lately. Guess what happens if the National Posts publishes about me... I am now processing all these emails on a free day in Burlington, Ontario. New mails are possible again. :-)
 

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Name: Steve
City, Country: St. Catharines Canada
Sent: 4.34 PM - 6/7 2003

Great to have had dinner with you in Niagara on the Lake...loved your travel tales..hope you enjoyed your flight back to Toronto.Enjoy the journey!
PS. stay out of those Mc Donalds restaurants :)
 

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Name: Hildie Joy Mathis
City, Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sent: 5.33 PM - 6/1 2003

Best of luck with your trip. I work for AVEBE America Inc and our headquarters is located in Holland. Did you ever here of AVEBE? AVEBE America Inc is located in Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton is a neat place. Hope you can come see it some day.
 

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Name: Jason Daley
City, Country: Ottawa, Canada
Sent: 10.36 AM - 5/30 2003

What a great adventure! It inspires the human spirit! Good luck exploring the world, may the kindness and generousity of others continue to pave your way.
 

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Name: Erin Ingram
City, Country: Dartmouth Nova scotia
Sent: 4.26 AM - 5/30 2003

very creative idea dunno if i'd ever have the guts to do it but I'd still love to see the world glad you managed to make it out east here it is a beautiful place and somewhere i will always call my home and native land have a great trip canada will welcome you back anytime you want to come
 

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Name: Darla Clairmont
City, Country: Nova Scotia, Canada
Sent: 9.30 AM - 5/29 2003

Ramon,
Glad to hear you made it to Canada and especially to Nova Scotia. I have been following your travels since your departure in May 2001. Your daily reports are always a joy to read. Never doubt that your reports are never read. They are the window through which we(your readers) see the rest of the world.
Good luck and keep safe.
Darla Clairmont
 

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Name: Bridget
City, Country: Australia
Sent: 7.44 PM - 5/27 2003

Hello Ramon

I just wanted to say you are very lucky that people email you and offer you tickets etc because you are living the dream most of us can only dream of and if its only a small price to pay to get you a ticket then there are lots of generous people out there who
will do it. Let face it that is cheaper than buying a whole holiday package, we just have to read your daily updates and picture the places you have been in.

Thanks for doing this, its not only your dream but it is for those millions who follow your website like me.

Keep safe and look after yourself and your backpack back and typing hands.
 

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Name: Brenda Evans, manager Aliant Repair & Customer Resolution Center
City, Country: Canada
Sent: 5.10 PM - 5/26 2003

Hello Ramon,

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Brenda Adams and I work for Aliant with specific accountability for the Aliant Repair group.

Several people (employees) have sent me the article on your recent experience with the Aliant Repair group. I want to assure you that your experience with us is not the type we would want any of our customers to have and certainly not a visitor to the Atlantic Canadian Region.
 

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Name: Theophil Kroller
City, Country: Vienna, Austria
Sent: 12.42 PM - 5/26 2003

hey, whuzzup--- I just happened to look at an old newspaper I found today, and there I saw a short article about you from fall 2002... and well, I was so interested I absolutely had to go to your webpage... I think it's soo awesome what you're doing! really... also it's great that everybody is so hospitable to you...well, I wish you all the best for the time remaining in Canada... -Theo
 

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Name: Kirsti Kuiper
City, Country: Langley
Sent: 12.18 PM - 5/25 2003

Ramon,

Remember the Calgary Stampede if you're through town from July 4-14th. (It's a non-stop party!)

RAMON:
I will, I will! It's on my schedule
 

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Name: Ruben Gonzalez
City, Country: Guadalajara Mexico
Sent: 2.27 PM - 5/23 2003

Hola Ramon, being in America and not coming to Mexico will be a big mistake. I´m working several options on how te get you here, but need to know your schedule (if any)are you going to the USA and then Mexico? The closer you get to Mexico, the better, I´m working a deal with Mexicana de Aviacion, but they do fly from New York to Mexico City, could that work? Mexico is such a big country, any idea which places you want to go? How many invitations do you need per city in order to make a move? Hope I can help you. Mi casa es tu casa.

RAMON:
To answer your most important question: I will not be travelling through the US to get to Mexico. As mentioned on the front page of my site I will be ending up home after my Canada trip in the end of July. After a short break, I might go wherever I can go.
"Any idea which places you want to go?" Ruben, please know that I can only stay with people that invite me over through this website and if I only have one invite per city, I guess I won't be staying there very long....
Just with enough invites I consider a trip through any country.
 

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Name: Keith and Susanne
City, Country: Mississauga,Canada
Sent: 8.57 AM - 5/23 2003

re someone generously paying for the flight off "the rock"
Ramon,that is such good news!
It looks as if you are having a great time in Newfoundland! Kind regards.
 

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Name: Nel
City, Country: London Ontario
Sent: 5.17 PM - 5/22 2003

Hallo Ramon, Sure hope you got of the Rock safely and are back on mainland Canada. You are coming towards Ontario and stopping in London???. Would love to have you here at our home.We are on your list!! Just enjoy your website so much everytime it arrives on my pc. then I spent the time looking at all the nice pics and rapports.
Happy travels and stay safe. See you in London. Hartelijke groeten!! (sincere greetings)

 

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Name: bob and eva
City, Country: whitbourne nfld canada
Sent: 4.16 PM - 5/22 2003

hi ramon just wanted to let you know we really enjoyed your stay with us.too bad it was so short.hope all your other host enjoy you as much as we did!hope you find a way off the island.take care and stay safe....
 

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Name: Henrieke
City, Country: Almelo, the Netherlands
Sent: 4.11 AM - 5/22 2003

hey Ramon,

I read about you in Viva and I thougt: let's take a look..and I think it's great what youre doing!
Stay save, good luck in the future!


 

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Name: Andrea Chemney
City, Country: London Ontario Canada
Sent: 9.07 AM - 5/21 2003

keep on travelling. what a novel way to see the world. good luck
 

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Name: Luc Lamesse
City, Country: YELLOWKNIFE,CANADA
Sent: 1.28 PM - 5/20 2003

Wil you ever be this way again in the near future?

RAMON: Not exactly near, Luc...
 

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Name: March
City, Country: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 3.59 PM - 5/19 2003

Hi there Ramon: I've been following your travels faithfully since I invivted you to come and stay with us. My son just came back from an excursion, travelling for nothing. He's not quite as organized as you. He survives by dumpster-diving, and fresh-or-freeing at grocery stores, or simply by the generosity of people he meets along the way. He made it to New Mexico and back and had a great time, but he was very hungry and slim by the time he got home.

I hope he will still be home when you come through Brampton. I would love for him to meet you. But he does have itchy feet that want to keep moving on.

God bless and keep you well and safe.

March.
 

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Name: Anneke Coops
City, Country: Edmonton, Alberta
Sent: 8.03 PM - 5/18 2003

Well Ramon, Alberta is still far away for you, but you will get here one day! I myself do hope it will be before the end of the summer because there is just more to see and do (at least for me, not being a big snow-and cold-freak).
Have a nice summer and see you in Edmonton!
 

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Name: Vera Espindola Rafael
City, Country: for the moment La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Sent: 1.10 PM - 5/18 2003

Hey Ramon,
just like you i am travelling at the moment but only with the difference that I AM SPENDING MONEY. As for Mexico invites, you are more than welcome to stay with my family and i if you like (near Mexico City). My parents are mexican but i was born just like you in Holland. Let me know ..... take care
 

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Name: Tanja
City, Country: Slovenija, Europe
Sent: 6.58 AM - 5/16 2003

Dear Ramon,
I have been following you since sept. 2001 but today I felt a heart's need to congratulate to you about joga. Jean indeed is a good teacher if you realised/felt the point in just one session. Once (and manymany times) again you showed me how perceivable and open you are (or people can be if they WANT!). You may not realise it yet but your way of being is already joga.
Thank you!

Sala kahle!
 

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Name: donny butler
City, Country: halifax,nova scotia,canada
Sent: 6.27 PM - 5/15 2003

hi ramon!i heard you on the radio station q104 & could'nt wait to get home to check out your website.i must say you are a brave man & an adventurous soul , i only wish i could've met you in person when you where in halifax!i must say your story is awesome!what a great idea!even i will never forget this & i was,nt even a host,not alot of people would do something like that.i might add that i am from newfoundland & rest assured i know you will enjoy your visit!anyway it's getting late & i must go to bed now,p.s if you come back to halifax pls advise when you plan to return in one of your daily reports & i would love to have you stay at my house with my wife & two children,i will fill in all the details online a little later on.anyway ramon you are an inspiration to all & if we don't see you on the way back thru take good care of yourself & be careful out there!good luck buddy!rgds,Donny Butler.
 

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Name: Keith and Susanne
City, Country: Mississauga, Canada
Sent: 7.43 AM - 5/15 2003

Hi Ramon.
We love your 1 minute movies!
We are looking forward to reading your reports from Newfoundland.Kind regards, Keith and Susanne.
 

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Name: David Dawe
City, Country: Paradise,Newfoundland
Sent: 3.23 PM - 5/14 2003

Great site,good luck
 

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Name: Ruben Gonzalez
City, Country: Guadalajara, Mexico
Sent: 12.41 PM - 5/14 2003

Hola Ramon,I have been following your adventures for the last 3 weeks. Congratulations and mucha suerte. Have you heard about "mariachis, tequila and mujeres bonitas"? You are more than welcome. Any plans for Mexico?

RAMON:
Mexico sounds good, I only do not have many invitations from Mexicans there yet. And if you can help me to get there... :-)
 

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Name: Rana Short
City, Country: Lower Sackville, (near Halifax) NS
Sent: 12.30 PM - 5/13 2003

Hey, we just hosted Ramon for one night and he was great company!!!! What a guy!

I hope we get to see him again on his way back through!

Woman of few words,
Rana
 

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Name: Michelle McCann
City, Country: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sent: 10.10 AM - 5/13 2003

Hi there Ramon ...

I am the Events and Promotions Coordinator with Kids Help Phone for Atlantic Canada ... I just wanted to echo Shelley Richardson's (see below!) thanks for attending the Walk for Kids in Charlottetown on May 4th! I know that the Walk Committee there enjoyed having you as a part of their day, and I hope that you wear your t-shirt proudly as you continue your travels.

Thanks again, and take care on your voyage,

Michelle
 

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Name: Leslie Nicholson ( Sampson )
City, Country: Halifax NS CAnada
Sent: 2.47 AM - 5/13 2003

Just want to say that Ramone was truely a genuinely nice and good person whom I can say may be trusted in anyones home!! We enjoyed him..maybe our daughter enjoyed him the most mmmmmmmm ?? He was truely a great roomie for a day. Good luck Ramon. Take care Of You !!
 

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Name: brent taylor
City, Country: halifax
Sent: 2.44 PM - 5/12 2003

the band in the picture at the lower deck is called CLAM CHOWDER i know this because i work there i am the waiter behind you in one of the pictures

RAMON: Thanks for that one, Brent! I already had a discussion about that earlier, now know the truth. I'll correct this.
 

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Name: Corina Bartlett
City, Country: Georgoetown,nl,canada
Sent: 1.04 PM - 5/12 2003

i love your website and the project you have going.sounds amazing what a great way to see the world.I live in newfoundland canada and if i wasnt moving i would ask could you come here for a day.just wanted to say what a great idea you must meat such interesting people.
 

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Name: Shelley Richardson
City, Country: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Sent: 8.18 PM - 5/10 2003

Hi Ramon, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful posting for May 4th.
I am the Regional Director for Kids Help Phone in Atlantic Canada and the coverage you have given the Charlottetown walk was wonderful.

Kids Help Phone raised over 1.5 million dollars on Sunday and that will go a long way towards helping to protect children from abuse.

Best wishes for your journey.
 

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Name: Kathy
City, Country: Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 8.09 PM - 5/10 2003

Ramon,
I saw you on Vicki Gabereau and took the next few days to read all of your travels till I caught up to you here in Canada.

When ever I get notice that you have a new posting I am there to see what you are seeing. You have been to a few places I have traveled to and seeing them through your eyes brings back good memories.

I have put in for you to stay with me for a day even though my home town is not very exciting, I just want to give to you a place to stay.
Take care and I hope to meet you soon, here in Woodstock Ontario.
 

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Name: Kirsten Adam
City, Country: Eastern Passage(Halifax/Dartmouth), Nova Scotia, Canada
Sent: 2.37 PM - 5/9 2003

Hi Ramon,

I really love your courage to travel the world this way. I love to travel but I'd be so scared of ending up stuck somewhere. Coodos to you!
 

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Name: bernie fitzpatrick
City, Country: pei canada
Sent: 9.08 AM - 5/9 2003

thanks for the great pic of Pleasant Grove ....my son who recently moved to Calgary found the website and the picture is right outside of our driveway......he was so excited.....and I hope a little homesick!!!! I can't wait for his return....bon voyage....
 

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Name: Jennie Gulliver
City, Country: Peterborough,ont., Canada
Sent: 6.01 PM - 5/7 2003

I tutor a Chineese woman and we read the article about you,from the Toronto Star, as part of our "lesson". I am looking forward to reading your book when you settle down and write it.Good Luck with your travels.
 

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Name: Siri
City, Country: Baar, Switzerland
Sent: 11.38 PM - 5/5 2003

Last week, you were the first time on Swiss TV! I almost couldn't believe it... Anyway, enjoy P.E.I. and Nova Scotia (and if you get a chance, you should also do the Cabot Trail) - these are the most beautiful provinces of Eastern Canada! I was there in summer though... :-) Good luck with those friendly Canadians. :-)
 

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Name: Anne-Marie Munk
City, Country: Zwolle, The Netherlands
Sent: 6.46 AM - 5/5 2003

How are you? It's been too long time since we last spoke. Well, I'm looking forward to an other conversation on the phone. So call when you have a few minutes spare time. Greetings from your house-mates as well! X
 

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Name: Jim Eagar
City, Country: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sent: 4.59 AM - 5/5 2003

Heard about your site through the article in the Halifax Herald and here I am...you remind me of my four boys who have travelled extensively througout the world and have yet to stop...their web site is www.eagarbros.com. They are in the process of finishing up their first book.
Anyway...during the summer I spend a lot of time in Northern Cape Breton...fishing, kayaking (have 2 sea kayaks), hiking etc. etc....usually there by myself...would love to have you share a day or two hope you like oyster, mussels, crab, lobster and fresh fish, because thats my diet up there!!)..I know you would enjoy.. Give me a heads up if you may be interested, as I'm not there for the entire summer.
 

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Name: Corinne Corning
City, Country: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Sent: 6.05 PM - 5/4 2003

Hi Ramon,
I have been trying to invite you to stay at our home, but have not been able to so far. My father in law made great friends in Holland during the war, so we would be happy to host you! We have lots of room, but do have pets (1 dog, 3 cats) so steer clear if you have allergies! I work from home and am here most of the time. The address is xxxxxxxx.
Cheers
Corinne Corning

Your personal information is removed by the moderator. Please do not post personal information on the guestbook as you might not want to share your details with over 10,000 readers of this site everyday.
 

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Name: Cynthia MacLeod & Doug Ouimet (ex-hosts of Ramon!)
City, Country: Penobsquis, New Brunswick, Canada
Sent: 5.53 PM - 5/4 2003

Hi Ramon.

Thank you for coming and staying with us. We would like to invite you to come and visit anytime that you like. We really enjoyed your visit.

The pictures that you took and the write up about your visit with us was great. As always, the little country Store is buzzing with lots of talk around the round table.

Good luck and we hope that you have a safe journey. We look forward to following your progress.
 

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Name: Jeffrey F
City, Country: Calgary, Canada
Sent: 4.34 PM - 5/4 2003

Hi Ramon,

I just confirmed my invitation for you to stay for a day (or more) when you come to Calgary, Alberta. I heard about your project through my cousin Natalie in....Holland! Yep, I am a Canadian (born in Montreal in 1972, lived there for 23 years, and have been living for the past 7 years in Calgary), but both my parents are Dutch, so I can speak it quite well. I can barely write in Dutch, however, since I never learned it properly. My first language is English, with Dutch as my second and French a close third.

I am a huge fan of travelling, and think what you are doing is amazing. "Heel leuk". In fact, as I was reading your site for the first time today, I read your story about being in Quebec on Easter Sunday. Well, on Easter Sunday, I was in Cafe Rotterdam overlooking the Maas with my Oom Jacques and Tante Loes! I visited Holland for only the second time in my life (first time was in 1980), and loved it. I still have tons of family there, many of whom I hadn't seen for 23 years. My Dutch-speaking was a little rusty at first, but I got pretty good at it again. I had a fantastic time, mostly in Rotterdam (highlights were a Poffertjes restaurant in the centre of town, "Crazy Pianos" bar, and the girls!). I also spent a few days in Amsterdam with a British girl, staying at the Krasnapolsky hotel for a little luxury, and saw Delft, Hoek van Holland, Kinderdijk, and Scheveningen too.

Anyway, I would be happy to host you here in Calgary - I have a townhouse (with enough space and a good guest room) about 10 minutes from downtown, and I can show you all over the city (the cool way).

Hope you can make it - feel free to write back if you get the chance.
Tot ziens,
Jeff
 

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Name: Rana Short
City, Country: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sent: 3.18 PM - 5/4 2003

I have heard much about you and look forward to perhaps putting you up for a night. I'll be following you journeys through life!

How exciting! Keep your spirits up!!

Rana
 

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Name: Sonny Nauss
City, Country: Farmington, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sent: 6.08 AM - 5/3 2003

Just heard about you today...spent the morning reading and exploring your site....I'm hooked......thank you for allowing us the opportunity and pleasure of going with you on this adventure vicariously.....I think you are one _ell of a man and I look forward to catching up on your past posts and pics as well as continuing this internet journey with you.....all that is good in the world to you.......I bid you peace...Best Regards and Luck, Sonny
 

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Name: Elspeth Mackenzie
City, Country: Kentville, Nova Scotia
Sent: 5.48 AM - 5/3 2003

How exciting to read about your adventures. More power to you! I'll be visiting your website to keep current on your travels.

Regards,
Elspeth
 

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Name: Svea Jacobsen
City, Country: Frankfurt/Germany
Sent: 1.30 AM - 5/2 2003

Dear Ramon,

I am very impressed with what you´re doing. Sitting here with a cold and only 11degrees outside, it´s been wonderful to follow your trip as I have also been to many of the places that you have visited so far.
Just wanted to let you know "go for it!", buddy!
Nobody will ever be able to take this from you.
Many greetings from the other side of the "big pond" !
Cheers, mate -
yours Svea
 

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Name: bob and eva
City, Country: whitbourne newfoundland
Sent: 11.29 AM - 5/1 2003

we are still following your trip on the east coast of canada,and still hoping you are not giving up on us yet!we are very much looking forward to meeting you.wish we could get the people here to know you are wanting to visit,because you would have lots of places to stay.call us with a phone number and i can call cbc here and maybe they can set up an interview.you just cannot go back home with out comming to newfie.you have come this far whats another few months.i promise you will enjoy your stay,so lets stay for a week. see you soon.
 

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Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 9.44 AM - 5/1 2003

hello ramon, congrats for the second years of this website!! whishing well, donatella
 

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Name: Richard Gonzalez
City, Country: Denver, Colorado
Sent: 5.07 PM - 4/30 2003

Our friend, Dana Conley of Deer Island, New Brunswick, Canada is visiting us in Denver!!! He told us about Ramon, so we checked it out.

He says that Ramon is a genuine, nice guy. He enjoyed having Ramon visit Deer Island.
Richard Gonzalez, Denver
 

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Name: Julia Billmaier
City, Country: Vienna, Austria
Sent: 3.31 AM - 4/30 2003

What a amazing idea you've had with this project,don't know what to say!!It's my first time on this page and it was very interesting,when I have my own flat,mayby I will invite you!!Good luck
 

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Name: Ocimar dos Santos
City, Country: Mississauga,On,Canada
Sent: 7.47 PM - 4/29 2003

Hello, I have read your history in the Toronto Star newspaper. It's amazing! I'm a brazilian living in Canada. Are you planning to go down to Brazil?
I hope so.
Regards! Ocimar
 

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Name: Anna
City, Country: Germany
Sent: 9.07 AM - 4/29 2003

HI!
I can´t believ that there is somebody who can live such a life! It is a dream of me to see the world and to get known many people. But the only think I can do ist to go to Australia in July for 33 month, I Thinks Its a beginning, but to make such a journy like you will be my dream forever.
Anna
 

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Name: Barb Derick
City, Country: Ottawa Canada
Sent: 9.55 AM - 4/28 2003

I hope you are having a safe and good time in Canada. You are surely getting around. It is interesting to see how you see us Canadians. Are we really that polite. We do have a wicked sense of humor. You will have a fun time down east, they know how to party...

Welcome to Canada and I hope you have a safe and fun journey.

Barb Derick
 

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Name: Keith + Susanne
City, Country: Mississauga, Ont
Sent: 6.30 PM - 4/27 2003

Hi Ramon

We saw your article in the Toronto Star. It was a nice write-up.

Thanks for your website. We have been following your adventures since you came to Canada. It is very interesting.

Yours truly
Keith + Susanne
 

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Name: Patricia
City, Country: Sprucedale, On. Canada.
Sent: 11.13 AM - 4/27 2003

Hi Ramon:
I read about your experience of a life-time in The Toronto Star. I am sure there are millions who wish they had your courage. You must of had a wonderful childhood to develop such a personality!! You really must visit Newfoundland. I read that you do not have enough invites to go there. It is the most friendly province in all of Canada, I know that if the people there knew about you that you would be overwhelmed with invites. I have really enjoyed your website. Very outstanding!! You are a very gifted young man!!
 

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Name: Suzanne
City, Country: Canada
Sent: 4.11 PM - 4/26 2003

Hey Ramon.

You do a fantastic job with your videos. I always really like the music These people from our train company really have a heart!!

That is a wonderful gift they are willing to extend to you! Wow, that will be an awesome trip for you. Canada is so beautiful from coast to coast!! You have met some fasinating people- thank you for the detailed reports. I do not think we will see anything like this again when you are done becouse it is your personality, your skilled photography and your writing skills that make this project what it is-a gem.
Thanks Ramon.
 

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Name: Judith A. Campbell
City, Country: Enterprise CANADA
Sent: 11.38 AM - 4/26 2003

Since you are in Saint John New Brunswick, do I assume that you have made the executive decision to by-pass the most beautiful spot in the province. OR, will you be heading west this way and perhaps stop???
 

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Name: NMS
City, Country: Toronto, Canada
Sent: 10.58 AM - 4/26 2003

Hi Ramon:

What a novel idea...travelling the world in this manner. I read about you in today's Toronto Star travel section, and have enjoyed viewing many of your photos.

You're going to go places, not only during your current travels, but in life! All the best and happy trails.
 

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Name: Bill Roberts
City, Country: Houston,Texas U.S.A.
Sent: 8.02 AM - 4/26 2003

I always look forward to a new dispatch. What a great way to meet new people! Have fun "on the road".
 

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Name: Catharin Warner van Osch
City, Country: Burnt River Ont. Canada
Sent: 6.54 AM - 4/26 2003

I wish you nothing but good luck in your venture,and wishing I was yonger.
Would love for you to come stay with us for a day or two,were in the country, nothing but open space,cows and the River.
Catharin.
 

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Name: Calvin S.
City, Country: Toronto, Canada
Sent: 5.05 AM - 4/24 2003

Ramon I hear you have some concerns about visiting Toronto because of SARS scare but I assure you that visiting is not dangerous. I have two small kids and we go about with our daily routine. Don't let the media scare you. All the SARS cases are isolated to hospitals and there is more chance that you will get hit by a car getting here then there is of you catching it. But take your time in the maritimes (Eastern Canada) as there is so much to see and do and ask someone to buy you a greco donair a maritime favorite you'll love it. Happy Travels :)
 

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Name: Thomas Cole
City, Country: Plymouth.Ct. U.S.A.
Sent: 6.17 PM - 4/23 2003

Hi Ramon,
My dad gave me your web site. I returned to Ottawa on the same day you arrived lol, April 7th. I had just returned from 5 weeks at Whistler!!!! Glad you enjoyed it too. Think what your doing is awesome, wish I had thought of that!! I travelled to 65 countries by time I hit 39 years old. Live here in Connecticut, your welcome to visit, only 2 hours by car to New York City.
Regards Thomas Cole
 

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Name: bob and eva
City, Country: whitbourne newfoundland
Sent: 1.48 AM - 4/23 2003

hi just wanted to let you know you are going to miss a beautiful part of canada if you dont make it here.you are welcome to come here first,and we can hit the media from here and i think you will be pleased with the out come .may be you can telephone us and we can talk about this(TELEPHONE NUMBER REMOVED BY WEBMASTER).we would love to have you!!!!!!!eva & bob
 

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Name: Jason LeRoy
City, Country: Quebec City, Quebec
Sent: 2.14 PM - 4/22 2003

We had him over for Easter Supper, and he was a delight to speak to. Unfortunately for him, he didnt get too much of a chance to get to know us, as for the couple of hours he spent in our home, we were bombarding him with questions. Still, he was a great sport by answering all of our questions patiently.

Have a great stay in Canada!

Take care Ramon!

Jason
 

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Name: Lucie
City, Country: Quebec - Canada
Sent: 4.32 AM - 4/22 2003

Hello Ramon. This is the little lady who smokes too much.
I hope your journey will be great ! With all the informations, picture, ideas, meeting people of all mentality and culture that you introduce into your mental computer that someday with the backward you will produce a "best-seller". Why not ? But one thing at the time. Right ?
I know it takes time to integrate so much and differents informations... But one day or one of these years maybe you will write a book with picture that tells alot...
I was happy to share some time with you Ramon.
Be blessed,
Truly,
Lucie

 

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Name: Peter Anthony Holder
City, Country: Montreal, Canada
Sent: 12.23 PM - 4/14 2003

Dear Ramon,

Thank you once again for being a guest on Holder Overnight on CJAD in Montreal. It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person after communicating by phone and emails for so long. I’m sure it was a treat for our listeners to hear a little bit more about your exploits as you travel the world.

After meeting you, I can see why your trip has been a success so far. You have a very engaging personality that is well suited for the rigors of travelling on a shoestring. I get the impression that not too much bothers you and you can get along with just about anybody. You’re the kind of person that probably everybody wants to have as a friend.

I hope you are enjoying your visit around Canada. You’ll probably get to see more of it than most people who live here (including me). What irony!

I know you are going back east before you work your way west. If you happen to hit Montreal again, let us know. I would love to have you back on the show if the schedule permits. I know that when I go on vacation and they play repeats of the program (which they call "the best of Holder Overnight" one of the repeats will definitely be your visit with us.

Continued successes with all you do and thank you once again for all your time and trouble.

Respectfully yours,
Peter Anthony Holder
 

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Name: Daniel
City, Country: Sydney, Australia
Sent: 2.42 AM - 4/14 2003

Dude,
man you're still going!
Sorry i missed you when you were down under,
stay safe et sage
 

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Name: Mary Deorksen (elves@rogers.com)
City, Country: Ottawa
Sent: 11.09 AM - 4/13 2003


Hi again Ramon,

Just signed on to see your piece since on Ottawa. We are still in rainy Vancouver with family. We are off to a 68th birthday party for our Danish brother-in-law. We will eat and eat and eat. I expect by the end of the day others in the family will have seen your site... One note Deorksen not Doerksen.

Thank you the visit the others will probably be following your travels now as well.

Mary Deorksen
 

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Name: Tobias
City, Country: Germany
Sent: 8.28 AM - 4/12 2003

Hey Man...i can't believe that you're still travelling around the world! Maybe we meet us again one day...i'll travel Ecuador next winter...so come down! ;-) MR. EMU (Adelaide 2 Melbourne trip, remember?)
 

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Name: Han Koster
City, Country: Ottawa, Canada
Sent: 8.16 AM - 4/11 2003

Ramon, your travel initiative is great. Good luck.

From a Canadian Senior Citizen of Dutch/Indonesian background. Would have liked to meet you.
 

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Name: Yvonne Gould
City, Country: Montreal, QC, Canada
Sent: 9.39 PM - 4/10 2003

Hello Ramon!

It certainly was very interesting to hear about your travels on CJAD tonight with Peter Anthony Holder and I will be checking in every day now to hear more about it. I feel that you are a brave soul to do such a thing, never knowing with whom you will be staying, but I guess that you can tough things out for one day at a time.

Good Luck!
 

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Name: Jennifer
City, Country: Ottawa_Canada
Sent: 9.02 AM - 4/10 2003

Hi!
I saw you on TV last night.I wish i can to travel for free like you.I admire you.You're very happy.
 

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Name: Paul Austring
City, Country: Regina, Canada
Sent: 3.56 PM - 4/9 2003

Reality TV eat your heart out. This stuff is great. It makes all of our dysfunctional lives seem normal. But all just as interesting. Try not to get out to Saskatchewan until mid June 17-21st. We will put you put at Cypress Hills for a photography work shop. Photos, Food & Scotch. All you need for a fulfilling life.
 

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Name: Sabine
City, Country: Gouda, The Netherlands
Sent: 3.50 AM - 4/8 2003

Hai Ramon,
Every time that your stories are published in the "Spits", I read them and I like it! It is good to read that a lot of people will let you stay for a day or a couple off days!
I have respect for you,'cause I won't do that, after 1 day I feel homesick!
Do you feel homesick sometimes?
Well, I want to wish you a lot of pleasure and fun in your futher journey!!
And I am looking forward to read more stories of you in the Spits!
Mazzel!!
 

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Name: Krista Power
City, Country: Faro, Yukon
Sent: 12.52 PM - 4/7 2003

I've been following your website and I must say that I am impressed. This is certainly an interesting way to travel the world.

I know that you have an invite to come to the Yukon and to my hometown, Faro. If you have a chance to make it to Faro, you will not regret it. Faro is a unique community with many pleasant surprises that you will soon discover (if you make it our way). Plus, the scenery is a photographer's dream come true.

Hope to see you here someday! Cheers!

 

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Name: Jacqui
City, Country: Michigan, U.S.A
Sent: 12.39 PM - 4/7 2003

Hi Ramon:

Hope to see you once you are near Windsor Ontario - I will come pick you up from Canada and take you to the states!!!!!!!!!
 

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Name: Kenneth McCluskey, The Commitments
City, Country: Ireland
Sent: 11.46 AM - 4/7 2003

Many Thanks for the Pictures you have made of the bad in Grande Prairie...... ASAP I will have my web master put some on the Commitments web site.
 

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Name: susanne
City, Country: Mississauga
Sent: 5.19 AM - 4/3 2003

I am so impressed with the' powers that be' at FIRST AIR! It is so nice that they had a generous heart toward Ramon. I am happy to be a Canadian, but especially so when I read about other Canadians being generous to a stranger-opening their doors, pocketbooks and giving of their time! Way to go my fellow Canadians! Have a great day everyone. Susanne.
 

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Name: Karen
City, Country: Prince George BC Canada
Sent: 8.27 PM - 4/2 2003

Hey Ramon!
Guess you got the cold weather you desired! Looks like you had a very interesting time in the north.
We look forward to the next portion of your trip.
Take Care!
 

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Name: Merijn
City, Country: Groningen, Holland
Sent: 4.53 AM - 4/2 2003

Hi Ramon,
Your stories in the newspaper "spits" and pictures on this site are a inspiration for me to go travel too. Good luck with all the things you're planning to do. Please don't stop writing for the spits! Mazzel!
 

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Name: Jenna
City, Country: Kugluktuk, CANADA
Sent: 1.04 PM - 4/1 2003

hoe gaat het met jou?
Hi Ramone, thanks for teaching me the phrase!

 

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Name: Ann
City, Country: The Pas, Mb.
Sent: 5.20 PM - 3/28 2003

Enjoy travelling the country from the comfort of our own home!! Thanks for making it possible via your web site.
 

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Name: Britney
City, Country: Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Sent: 10.04 PM - 3/27 2003

Hey I just moved from B.C. and looking at your pictures are just like the things I saw on the way to Alberta that I never got a chance to take pictures of. I think that your really a very lucky guy to be able to do this. I think its cool but man how can you live wihtout money!!
 

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Name: Trish Reid
City, Country: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 11.13 AM - 3/23 2003

Excellent web site!!! I love this idea!!! I know when I hiked through Spain, the kindness of the peolpe I met
made the journey more spiritual rather than a simple vacation. Good luck and as I learned in Spain "Bueno Camino!!"
 

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Name: Bob Rutherford's Mother Betty
City, Country: Victoria Canada
Sent: 12.58 PM - 3/22 2003

Your whole project is wonderful in concept. I'm glad to see you are against the "American War" My family in Prince George really enjoyed you visit and know they are very good hosts.Good luck for the rest of your trip
 

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Name: pat hayward
City, Country: 100 Mile House, B.C. Canada
Sent: 12.06 PM - 3/22 2003

Hello Ramon,
Reading your reports and looking at the various photos is great fun! Your website is like having a current travel documentary at one's fingertips, and I enjoy seeing what things are like in other parts of Canada.
Continue to have a safe journey.
Pat
 

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Name: jon
City, Country: guelph ontario
Sent: 10.56 AM - 3/22 2003

free loader get a job

RAMON:
why don't you learn to READ a website better than you have done now? ;-)
 

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Name: Jocelyne Boisjoli
City, Country: Quebec, Canada
Sent: 1.11 PM - 3/20 2003

Hi Ramon!

My first language is french, so I hope that you will understand my "english" :

I'm living in the province of Quebec in Canada and I am very pleased that I could see you "live" on TV (on Vicky Gaboreau Show) in my country this week, because I am following your itinerary since your first day (may 2001) of your magnificient trip.

So I just wanted to say Hi! and be welcome in my country. When you will be in Quebec I hope that you will appreciated the "french canadian language" unique in all north american.

Thank you for all the adventures that you are sharing with the entire planet...
 

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Name: Gyl Stevens
City, Country: Truro, Nova Scotia
Sent: 5.55 AM - 3/20 2003

Wow, heard about you today on the local radio, I'm a travel agent and usually trips are alot more costly, hats off to you, if your ever in Truro look me up, glad to have you stay a night, all the best, stay safe!!
 

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Name: Judy
City, Country: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Sent: 4.13 AM - 3/20 2003

Hi, I think It's great what your doing. What a lovely creative way to see the world and meet a lot of interesting people! Good luck on your travels. PS Heard about you from our local radio station.
 

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Name: bob and eva
City, Country: newfoundland canada
Sent: 3.51 PM - 3/19 2003

read about your trip to canada,hope you can make it to newfie.we would be happy to have you stay with us for a day.keep safe and we are looking forward to meeting you.
 

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Name: Gail Collins
City, Country: Dartmouth,N.S.
Sent: 9.51 AM - 3/19 2003

hello Ramon, I think what you are doing is really cool I wish I had the guts to do it.
 

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Name: Bill van der Zande
City, Country: Richmond Hill, ON
Sent: 11.21 PM - 3/18 2003

Saw you on Vicki. Very interesting concept! Maybe when I retire in a couple of years, this is something to think about. Hope that you have a great time in Canada. It is a great country. Glad that my parents chose to settle here. I would offer a place to stay but only have a small apartment with my partner.
Allebeste met je reis door Canada.
 

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Name: Herma
City, Country: Saanichton, BC Canada
Sent: 9.04 PM - 3/18 2003

Hello fellow Dutchman. I saw you on the "Vicki Gabereau" show today. Wonderful your travelling around the world - what an experience and what a great idea to "stay for a day". I was born in Enschede and came to Canada as a young girl in 1957, with my family. Too bad that you've been here on Vancouver Island already. We would have enjoyed offering you hospitality in our home. I will follow your trip with interest; keep safe on your travels.
Groetjes.....
 

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Name: Paul Reiter
City, Country: Fort St John, BC
Sent: 6.06 PM - 3/18 2003

Too bad you didn't make it too our house, My wife is first nation and was going to make you traditional moosemeat and bannock and meet all her relations, like 'my big fat greek wedding!.And we could have driven you too Grande Praire. Ah,maybe next time! Don't forget us and enjoy your time in the north!Our invite has no time limit.
 

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Name: Michelle C.
City, Country: Vancouver, Canada
Sent: 5.27 PM - 3/18 2003

I saw you on Vicki today and I admire what you're doing. What a fantastic idea!! Good luck and keep safe!
 

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Name: Debbie
City, Country: Lachine, Quebec. Canada
Sent: 4.17 PM - 3/18 2003

I love your web site. I saw you on Vicki today and I just had to find your site. It is so interesting that I am going to bookmark it so that I can follow you on your journey across Canada. All the best.
Debbie
 

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Name: Tracie
City, Country: Victoria, Vancouver Island!
Sent: 2.21 PM - 3/18 2003

I just finished watching you on Vicki, It was nice to see you again, sounds like you are doing well and having blast everywhere. Take Care!!
 

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Name: Tom Barnett (ex-host)
City, Country: West Vancouver, BC, Canada
Sent: 1.22 PM - 3/18 2003

Hey Ramon

We were looking at your web site and laughing our eads off. And that was before we saw you getting into the hot tub!!

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. You are seeing more of Canada than any of us have!!

Enjoy your travels

The Barnetts
 

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Name: Patricia Reid
City, Country: Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Sent: 12.34 PM - 3/18 2003

Saw you on Vicki Gabereau today and thought you are great and very courageous. Good luck and good travels
 

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Name: Sid
City, Country: High Bluff, Manitoba, Canada
Sent: 12.25 PM - 3/18 2003

Hello Ramon I watched you on Vicki today, what a great idea! If you're still looking for an idea for your hitching sign; why not try the obvious "letmestayforaday.com" We'll all know who you are and most of us would love a opportunity to meet you! ALL THE BEST TO YOU from HIGH BLUFF and PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE!!!
 

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Name: LES
City, Country: Portage la Prairie, Mb, Canada
Sent: 12.15 PM - 3/18 2003

GOOD LUCK RAMON! ENJOY OUR COUNTRY! I WISH I WAS DOING THE SAME!
 

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Name: Nicole Young
City, Country: Montreal, Canada
Sent: 12.02 PM - 3/18 2003

I just finished watching your interview with Vicki Gabereau, and I am intrigued about your project. Before I offer you a place to stay in Montreal, I will talk to My husband.
 

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Name: DMAC
City, Country: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Sent: 10.32 AM - 3/18 2003

I just caught your segment on Vicki. What a great quirky way for you to travel, to see the world. Glad you opted to visit peacekeeper country.
 

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Name: Sherry
City, Country: New Minas, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sent: 10.20 AM - 3/18 2003

Welcome to Canada ! I just saw you on the Vicki Gabereau show. You must have some wonderful stories to tell. Good luck hitch-hiking. I know of a young man who hitch-hikes a lot (from one end of the country to another) and he carries a sign that just says "PLEASE". He never seems to be without a ride. Good luck. If you get to Nova Scotia and need a place to stay in the Annapolis Valley (we live in New Minas which is in the Annapolis Valley), give us a shout. "Our house is small,no mansion for a millionaire, but there is room for love and there is room for friends...that's all I care." - Sherry S
 

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Name: Judy Matthias
City, Country: Bracebridge, Canada
Sent: 10.08 AM - 3/18 2003

Hello, I would just like to say that I saw you on the "Vicki Gabereau" television show and I admire what you are doing.. It sounds very exciting! I hope that you love Canada as much as we do and that you have many wonderful adventures while you are traveling.. Take care!
 

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis area
Sent: 3.35 AM - 3/14 2003

I've said it before and will say it again: Ramon, you keep getting better and better at what you do! And the people you are meeting in Canada sound wonderful! It's great that we all get to meet them via your words. Here's hoping you have an exciting time up in the remote regions. Surely the air sponsorship will take place one way or another; such is the life of LMSFAD king Ramon! You are truly courageous.
 

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Name: Peter Hoebeke
City, Country: Haarlem - Netherlands
Sent: 8.39 AM - 3/12 2003

Dear Ramon,

I read about your wanderings some weeks ago in a Dutch Railwaypaper. The article brought me back to the fifties. In 1953I went abroad for the first timein my life as an 15-year old boy. Having hardly any money I travelled in the cheapest way possible which was hitchhiking. I slept on the side of the road and with people I met. In this way I visited the most countries in Western Europe. Pity there was no such thing as internet in those days! You'll understand that I follow your adventures with more than the usual interest. Good luck.
 

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Name: Pat Hughes
City, Country: Owen Sound, Canada
Sent: 4.07 PM - 3/11 2003

Neat Idea. I heard you with Peter Brown on Saturday while driving to St. CAtharines. Good Luck. I hope you enjoy Canada.
 

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Name: Arjun
City, Country: Kamloops, Canada
Sent: 3.57 PM - 3/11 2003

Hi Ramon,

I am really impressed with what you have accomplished. You also seem like a really decent fellow - reading from the reports on your site. I also write a column in the local paper on the Internet and would like to write about your web site. Maybe, you will get even more invites from our area. Have a great time in 108 mile and Barkerville. I think you will enjoy this part of the world.

My invite still stands, if ever you need to take me up on it.
All the best,
Arjun
 

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Name: Marian Bradshaw
City, Country: Langley, Canada
Sent: 8.38 PM - 3/10 2003

Hi Ramon
It was great to meet you in Vancouver with Steve Hill at our annual Dental Convention. I hope your bus ride to Kamloops was a good one. I wish you the very best of luck on your travels.

RAMON:
And Marian, thank you for dropping me off at the bus depot! ;-)
 

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Name: Anne-Marie Munk
City, Country: Zwolle, Holland
Sent: 3.03 AM - 3/10 2003

Hi dear friend! Fun to see that you are having so much fun! Over here in Holland thing are still the same, but without you... Ha ha ha! Right now i'm working! Yes me, working! Hope to hear from you soon! Bye!
 

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Name: Yvonne Kuiper-Zier
City, Country: South Surrey CANADA
Sent: 9.04 PM - 3/9 2003

Hi Ramon.
We met you Saturday night March 8/03 at a birthday dinner at Irving 's house ( he is the brother of Kirsti of Fort Langley.). We know you have a lot of fun doing what you are doing. We hope you will have a sound and safe trip through Canada.
 

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Name: E. J. Moore
City, Country: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sent: 2.27 PM - 3/9 2003

Yesterday I heard you on CBC Radio, and I am very intrigued with your delightful journey. My daughter toured Europe last summer...it was a much more costly trip! I notice you already have 3 places to stay in Halifax so I have not offered mine at this time. If you visit Halifax you may enjoy coming in July, when the World Theatre Festival takes place here, also featuring a company from The Netherlands. Please visit www.festival2003.ca and contact me if you wish to visit.
Congratulations on your success!
Eva Moore

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Name: Eman
City, Country: Germany, Rheinland -Pfalz
Sent: 12.02 PM - 3/9 2003

Hey!!!!I think what u r doing is great idea!!!!I love to travel too.I saw that u r now in the us, I was one time there too.So if u have the possibility to go to Chicago, then please take it!!!!I love this city!!!!!!!HAVE A LOT OF FUN!!!!

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Name: Janske
City, Country: The Netherlands
Sent: 10.14 AM - 3/9 2003

Dear Donatello,

Yes, prices raised also in the Netherlands as soon as the Euro was introduced. But maybe we should talk about this in some topic in the LMSFAD-forum, so we'll keep this a guestbook!
I'll open a topic somewhere there!

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Name: Brett Keating
City, Country: Russell, Manitoba, Canada
Sent: 12.04 PM - 3/8 2003

Hey, I just wanted to say hello because what your doing is really cool. I have put down my name for you to stay at my house and i want you to know that what your doing is soo cool.

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Name: Rob
City, Country: Heerlen Netherlands
Sent: 12.00 PM - 3/8 2003

I heard today on the Canadian Radio, verry good the world trip.
Thank you all people for helping him too travel over the world and Ramon good luck and come home save

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Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 10.02 AM - 3/8 2003

to Janske:
hello, I'm reading the post where you talk about the pro/cons of the euro money. I have a good opinion about the euro community (though it's something completely new, every country has always doing by itself), at least because I can go to france/spain/whatever without going to my bank office before for the change ;)
the question is: with the euro, did it happen also in your country that the prices of the goods (bread, public tranport...) has suddenly raised - with no reason?
[what happened here in italy: before the euro, for example you could buy a kilo of tomatoes for 1000 lire; now the price is 1 euro, that is... 2000 lire. and, of course, the salaries for workers are still the same as before..]
if this make sense. I'm curious to know about other corners of europe.
donatella

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Name: Yvonne
City, Country: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 8.21 AM - 3/8 2003

I just heard your interview with Peter Brown on CBC Radio one and decided to look at your website. It sound like a really great - if challenging - lifestyle. Best of luck in the rest of your travels.

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Name: Grace Powell
City, Country: Mississauga, Canada
Sent: 8.00 AM - 3/8 2003

Ramone,
Welcome to Canada. I will be leaving in May or June to teach English in China.
You are welcome to stay in our home in Mississauga, when you arrive here.
Who knows, we could meet again in China or somewhere else in the world.
Look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Grace Powell

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Name: Kiron Vaghela
City, Country: Toronto, Canada
Sent: 7.50 AM - 3/8 2003

Here's a novel idea: getting a job. They have name for people like you: bums. Homeless bums.

Jackass.

RAMON:
Dear Mr. Jackass, thank you for sharing your intelligence with everybody. It's clear that you 1) don't understand this project 2) should not be listening to the CBC Radio 1 anymore 3) you are very envious and you have no idea how to express it...

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Name: Rick
City, Country: Kamloops,Canada
Sent: 4.37 PM - 3/7 2003

Hey Ramon,
whatever happened to your appearance on the
"Vicki Gabereau" talkshow? I watched two shows to
see you on tv, but you never came on...did the producers cut your segment? Will it be aired later?
Greetings!

RAMON:
Well, the interview is recorded and was scheduled for airing, only it got bumped because the subject is 'timeless'. The producer doesn't know when it will be aired. It could take another two weeks... :-(

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Name: Jean
City, Country: Bow, Washington, USA
Sent: 7.15 AM - 3/7 2003

I am a Canadian living in the United States. I heard about you while listening to the CBC radio, so I just thought I would look up your website. Have fun on your travels!

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Name: Janske
City, Country: Bergeyk, The Netherlands
Sent: 3.38 AM - 3/7 2003

Acadia wrote: "Ramon, It is not so strange for an American to say that in Canada, nor for a Canadian to ask in the US. I happen to live in a border state. We do not have to change money over from one country to the other but there is a difference in the value. And one may not know if they are getting American or Canadian money back unless they ask, many people want to be sure that they are getting back to correct change if they give American cash and are getting back Canadian dollars. You see now? It can be confusing, especially since the difference in value of a dollar is about 30 cents. Coinage does not have this difference, just paper money."

Acadia (and others): for us Europeans it is strange as we all pay in Euro since two years in every European country! And for me as a 'bordergirl' (live nearby Belgium) it is strange too, as we used to pay in Dutch Guilders in Belgium we always get change in Belgium Francs! Withe the arrival of the Euro-money that all changed. Unfortunately is that the only positive change about the Euro....

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Name: Sander
City, Country: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Sent: 8.14 AM - 3/5 2003

Great site to visit during work. It makes my feet itch to go and travel again.

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Name: Tracie
Hometown: Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada
City, Country: Victoria
Sent: 9.14 PM - 3/4 2003

Ramon, It was an awesome experiecne to meet you, I hope you will come back and stay for another day. Thanks for all the inspiration, you are an interesting and amazing man!!!! Everyone should meet you for a day. Thank-you for all your kind words. FRIENDS. LITTLE T.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis, MN
Sent: 12.14 PM - 3/3 2003

Re. Katie's message and other similar protests about Ramon's American bashing . . to enjoy this website I have had to set aside my own prejudices against people with obvious prejudices such as Ramon and his American bashing! (What are MY prejudices, and am I honest with myself and others that they exist? That's the question we all have to ask ourselves.) Ramon is real, he is blunt, he is smart, and out there learning about life firsthand in a way most of us could never come close to. Sooner or later he'll travel the USA as well and will no doubt find all his stereotypes confirmed while also being delighted with all kinds of break-the-mold discoveries as well. We USA folk just have to wait patiently for that time to come and in the meantime, cut Ramon some slack as he wears his heart on his shirtsleeve at times. Comes with the territory of the nature of this website.

P.S. That Scott fellow also sounds charming in his own way! LOL!!!!!!!
 

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Name: Martijn
City, Country: The Netherlands
Sent: 11.14 AM - 3/3 2003

Katie, it is clear enough to me, as I have been following Ramon's travels for almost two years now, that you are the one who is more ignorant than Ramon can ever be! Sorry for saying, but again good Americans will be embarrassed by your post which just shimmers of clear and naive enviousness!
Enough said!
 

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Name: Katie Doyle
City, Country: San Francisco, CA (USA - FYI)
Sent: 10.10 AM - 3/3 2003

Ramon,
There are many things I enjoy about your site. For instance, the fact that you've managed to travel the world on other peoples' money for over a year without ever offering anything to these people in return. I also enjoy the fact that your travels have not opened your mind so much that you've been forced to abandon stereotypes or to refrain from taking pot-shots. Although I normally abhorr them, I think I will take this opportunity to commence using Dutch stereotypes (in addition to being the tallest peoples in the world, did you know you are also the cheapest? Your experience over the past year is all the proof I need.)
Thank you for the refreshing break from progressive thought. In this increasingly global world, I needed a reminder of the reasons why there will never be peace between nations, or even between distinct communities within a single nation - because of ignorance like yours. You are surely the pride of your homeland.

Ramon:
"without ever offering anything to these people in return"? I don't know what parts of this website you have read, but I am sure you are missing out on something.
But then again, compliments for your writing, not often I get critic that is written this well. However, LIKE ALWAYS, you have absolutely no arguments to hold on to what your are saying. What's left is only b.s....
However, if you are an American, you should have been reading the comments on the forum, right here, before you start posting anything that tells me enough about you...
 

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Name: Hannah
City, Country: Korea
Sent: 6.00 AM - 3/3 2003

How great it is! :)

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis area
Sent: 12.04 AM - 3/3 2003

Your weekly movies are TERRIFIC! Even the music . . very well edited! Thank you!!!!!
 

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Name: kathy
City, Country: shepherdstown, wv, usa
Sent: 7.18 AM - 3/2 2003

Hi Ramon -

Glad to hear you've discovered Geocaching! You should tell us Darren's username if it's ok with him. (And I've learned that your alternate spelling, geocashing also works...) Hope we'll hear about some caching in your next report.
 

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis area, USA
Sent: 3.35 AM - 3/2 2003

Ramon, I used to enjoy reading about your travels in Australia, and now am very happy to be experiencing the Vancouver area through your eyes, also. I think you are getting better and better at what you do. It's amazing how many SUPERLATIVE experiences you pack into a short time. It's great to learn about where you are from my own kitchen computer! Good luck with it all!
 

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Name: Glenn
City, Country: Vancouver
Sent: 10.36 PM - 3/1 2003

Hey Ramon,

Being the first stop on your North American foray, we should have better prepared you for the Americans. I suppose we Canadians assume that everyone (watching a single nation barking out orders to the whole world) understands what the USA can be about. But, until you actually see a guy walking around fat and naked in your backyard, with a gun in one hand and a bible in the other, you can’t fully appreciate having one as your neighbour.

Good Luck and enjoy the Maritimes…Friendliest folk in the world!
 

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Name: Harry
City, Country: Cyprus
Sent: 12.36 PM - 3/1 2003

Very nice. If you ever need a car as well, I will be glad to help you out. Just go to Tsindos Car Rental and I will try to help you out in an emergency.
 

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Name: Acadia
City, Country: USA
Sent: 6.04 AM - 3/1 2003

"And (and I am really generalizing the Americans that visit Canada this time, sorry!) they say really world-strange things! Example: American buys something in a store. American pays money and gets change, then asks: “Is that in American dollars?” Sorry, but that’s when I have to clutch myself on something as fast as possible. I am rolling on the floor laughing, quietly of course."

Ramon, It is not so strange for an American to say that in Canada, nor for a Canadian to ask in the US. I happen to live in a border state. We do not have to change money over from one country to the other but there is a difference in the value. And one may not know if they are getting American or Canadian money back unless they ask, many people want to be sure that they are getting back to correct change if they give American cash and are getting back Canadian dollars. You see now? It can be confusing, especially since the difference in value of a dollar is about 30 cents. Coinage does not have this difference, just paper money.
 

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Name: Ursula
City, Country: Etten-Leur The Netherlands
Sent: 4.43 AM - 3/1 2003

Hi Ramon, Great reports i hope you have a wonderfull time in canada. I'am going in aug/sept for fishing.
Good luck and i will follow on your journey.

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Name: Pauline
City, Country: Utrecht The Netherlands
Sent: 5.36 AM - 2/25 2003

Great keep up the good reports! Love the pictures of things I´ve been to myself.

Good luck with ice fishing and all other Canadian stuff.

Doei!

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Name: renee
City, Country: australia
Sent: 5.55 PM - 2/23 2003

hi hope your travels go well

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Name: frank kanters
City, Country: strathroy ontario canada
Sent: 8.44 AM - 2/23 2003

hello there,, welcome to canada,, we hope you have a good trip across this GREET LAND, CANADA :::

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 4.23 PM - 2/22 2003

I found the reports from your visit to Alesund with host Taco, whom Jan van Dasler refers to in his Feb 17th posting here. It appears to me that you had a great visit with Taco and Cecile Sept 18-19, 2001.

Cheers,
Joan

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Name: brenda
City, Country: Zwolle
Sent: 5.20 AM - 2/22 2003

Wanted to say that I hate people how just standing and watch. When there are more people around I think everybody has to help. The chance that noting happens is a lot smaller than whan just 1 person hepls . I'm proud of you. But look out. Not everybody is like you.

(wanted to visit you two days ago. forgot you already left. STUPID ME! ;-))

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Name: jenine
City, Country: Chatham England
Sent: 2.59 AM - 2/22 2003

keep up the brill work i think its wiked what your doing like i always say if your not gonna travel what the point of living
i start a round the world trip next year with my 1st stop being New york which i'm looking forward to but theres one big difference i have to pay my way, never mind the experience will be worth it. carry on with the good work and enjoy.

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Name: Jacqui
City, Country: Wyandotte, USA
Sent: 6.04 AM - 2/21 2003

I think this website is great - and I think what your doing is great too - keep up the traveling!!!!!

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Name: marjo l.
City, Country: Hellevoetsluis
Sent: 6.30 AM - 2/20 2003

Have a great time in Canada. I've just heard about you and this webside trough Gezondheidsplein broadcast on Dutch t.v. This is all so great. Will try to follow your adventures and story's. For now I wish you a great stay in this o so beautiful country. I went there myself in 1994 and still enjoy the wonderful memories I created there. Futhermore I hope your way of meeting the world and it's people is as great as its sounds ! I think it's a top-idea!!! I also hope that it will inspire me to be as open to onknown people and uppertunety's as it sounds like you are. Thanks allready ! And all the best off luck and great stories.Marjo L.

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Name: Karen
City, Country: Brighton, UK
Sent: 2.25 AM - 2/20 2003

That's true Mike but that does not mean it is a very sad thing thatis happening. Be careful Ramon, cos it is as Glenn said: same case scenario you get stung by a needle or something.

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Name: Mike Wallace
City, Country: Scotland
Sent: 2.47 PM - 2/19 2003

Did this violent incident happen perchance in the "Hastings" area of Vancouver where all the Junkies now coverge after having been kicked out of Gastown a few years ago? All large cities have their bad areas. Amsterdam? Enough said!

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Name: Etienne
City, Country: The Hague, Netherlands
Sent: 5.29 AM - 2/19 2003

Hai Bro , got your sms that you jumped into a fight where a innocent man was beaten up by a junky ! And yes, it's a shame that nobody is acting when somebody is beaten up. But don't forget that the risc of getting a needle in you body ,especially from a junky, is not something, that people like. Take care dude !

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Name: Karen
City, Country: Brighton, UK
Sent: 3.34 AM - 2/19 2003

Wel done on your first report, very enjoyable to read!

Enjoy your travelling!

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Name: Marjet
City, Country: Zwolle, The Netherlands
Sent: 1.59 AM - 2/19 2003

Read your first report! I am very curious to the following reports. The pictures of Brenda and me are very funny! I am jealous on the pictures of the snowy mountains...

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Name: Evy
City, Country: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Sent: 1.58 PM - 2/18 2003

Welcome to Canada. Canada's a great country. Enjoy your stay.

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Name: Janske
City, Country: Bergeijk, The Netherlands!
Sent: 12.56 PM - 2/18 2003

Hey Ramon, nice first report! I will try to keep up with them this time!

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Name: Daniëlle
City, Country: Hazerswoude, The Netherlands
Sent: 2.50 AM - 2/18 2003

Hi Ramon, enjoy your travels in Canada. I love it there. It's a beautiful country!! I am positively jealous but I look forward to reading your reports.

Daniëlle

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Name: petra
City, Country: ede, the netherlands
Sent: 7.11 AM - 2/17 2003

hello Ramon,
What a great idea to travel arond the world with no money in your pocket.
If I found out that idea, I will do the same thing.
I hope you meet a lot of new people in Canada and I wish you all the best and luck out there.

greetings petra

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Name: Maarten
City, Country: Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Sent: 6.59 AM - 2/17 2003

Dear Ramon,
How incredible to see you on the Dutch Television at "Later wordt het leuk". When I saw you on tv, I thought about that new DiCaprio movie, Catch me if u can. I'm sure I already know the movie, but the idea of you two are almost simular. It's great to see that you can still travel all over the world without spending a dime. It's a beautiful thing, and you're the prove of that.
On the program you said that you had 4200 forms of people from your website who what you to stay at their place.
So I thought that the best thing to do to help you, is insteat of aplying me as a address for you to stay (You've got plenty of those), to aply myself as co-traveler...I don't see another possibility for you to contact all those people who send you an invitation.

It's a great site, man. Keep up the good work.

Greetings for Holland,

maarten
(emailvanmaarten@yahoo.com)

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Name: Ivo
City, Country: Spijk (gld), Nederland
Sent: 2.35 AM - 2/17 2003

Hallo Ramon,

naar aanleiding van je interview met Dolf Jansen in "Later wordt het leuk" wil ik je heel veel succes en plezier wensen met je wereldreis.

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Name: Jan van Dasler
City, Country: The Netherlands
Sent: 3.52 PM - 2/16 2003

Listen Buddy! I really dont think you're that special, as all the other thickheads in your guestbook think you are........I travelled all around the world for over 20 years, and I worked for it!!! Worked my ass off and DESERVED to see the world. Places I've been to you haven't even heard about............! So, dimm it buster.......And my best friend, Taco in Alesund, where you stayed in the beginning of your journey, think's your full of shit also........So my advise to you is: Do your thing, but please stay out of the media! PEOPLE LIKE YOU GIVE "GOING DUCTH" THAT EXTRA DIMENSION WE WERE TRYING TO

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Name: Susanne van Dijk
City, Country: Geldermalsen, the Netherlands
Sent: 4.29 AM - 2/16 2003

Hi Ramon, remember me? I was in your class in Zwolle..... Love your website and the way you travel the world being a writer/journalist. Great places make great living.... Take care!
Travel the world,
Susanne

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Name: Wendy
City, Country: zuidwolde, holland
Sent: 4.01 AM - 2/16 2003

hey everybody,

i always read the column from ramon in the spits. I wish him good luck in his next travel to canada.
Zwolle rulez!

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Name: Yolanda
City, Country: Haarlem, the Netherlands
Sent: 9.58 AM - 2/15 2003

Hello Ramon, I just read about your wonderful trip in Australia. It's simply fascinating. Good luck in Canada! I am looking forward to the reports.

greetings, Yolanda

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Name: Ilse-Marie Scheffers
City, Country: Veen, Holland
Sent: 5.12 AM - 2/15 2003

Hey Ramon,

I read you are an ex-journalismestudent. I'm a second-year student at the School for Journalism (SvJ) in Utrecht, Holland and right now I can only wish to someday be doing what you're doing now; travelling. It's my passion. I think this is a fab idea and I hope I to be able to do a lil article about you sometime.....that is if there's ever a moment you are in Holland. = ) By the way.....you've ever been in Fortaleza Brazil coz if you haven't that's mý tip to you. Hope to contact you sometime. Good luck on your travels!
greetz ilse

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Name: Pamela
City, Country: Canada
Sent: 4.33 PM - 2/14 2003

Hope you have a great trip across Canada! It's a great country!

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Name: Tijs
City, Country: Nijmegen, Netherlands
Sent: 2.23 PM - 2/14 2003

haha, funny, im watching you on tv now! (Nederland 3)

kinda weird tho

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Name: Sander
City, Country: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Sent: 6.11 AM - 2/13 2003

You have a new fan. I am looking forward to the new start of your travelling.
 

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Name: Sabrina Sprengers
City, Country: Groningen , Netherlands
Sent: 4.50 AM - 2/11 2003

Hello Ramon,
I just read the spits (newspaper)
and this is my first visit on
you're site.
I wish you a very nice time in Canada
and I'll be reading the follow-ups.
greeting from Groningen
xxx sabrina

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Name: Ann Guy
City, Country: Montreal, Canada
Sent: 8.11 AM - 2/10 2003

Hello Ramon,
Looking forward to having you over. My B&B guests will have a hoot meeting you.

Ann
 

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Name: lukas
City, Country: carinthia/Austria
Sent: 3.32 AM - 2/4 2003

hy ramon
wish you the best with your new start in canada!!!!!
"tuto gas"
 

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Name: Ruby
City, Country: Velsen, Netherlands
Sent: 11.15 AM - 1/25 2003

Hi there!! What an amazing idea of travelling! I'm sure your trip to Canada will be great, it is an awesome country..Enjoy it!! (I'm sure you will..)
I send you the best wishes, Ruby
 

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Name: lucy-brittany-ariadna
Sent: 11.07 AM - 1/25 2003

whis all the best in you trip auron the world........
lucy-brittany-ariadna
 

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Name: Karin
City, Country: Hoorn, Nederland
Sent: 5.26 AM - 1/23 2003

Hi Ramon,
Read about you in Parool yesterday and visiting your site right now. I'm sure gonna follow your trip to Canada right here. Wishing you lots of luck and plesure! Karin
 

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Name: stefan
City, Country: vienna, austria
Sent: 11.58 AM - 1/17 2003

hey ramon!
whats up?
wish you all the best with your new start in canada.
do you think about travelling in middleeurope as well? let me know.
greetings from vienna,
stefan
 

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Name: Arie Geneugelijk
City, Country: Ouderkerk aan den IJssel, Holland
Sent: 11.50 AM - 1/11 2003

Dear Ramon,
I have almost been your neighbour and I follow your travels around the world. I have great admiration for this. Friendly regards, Arie, Marry, Iris en Rebekka.
 

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Name: Dorothy
City, Country: Montreal, Canada
Sent: 11.38 PM - 1/10 2003

I have just heard your interview with Peter Anthony Holder. Well, Ramon, I admire your inspirational way to see the world and meet the people! And you certainly are the right age and equipped with the latest gadgets. It's going to be interesting to follow your travels now that my explorations are limited to the internet. You have your own folder in my "Adventures" favourites. And you keep your site right up to the moment.
At your age I was in your country serving at a Canadian hospital which opened on Good Friday 1945 in Nijmegen, and, with other Red Cross Corps workers and therapists, was billeted in the home of a family who worked with the Dutch underground. Many wonderful memories!
My best wishes for continued happy travels, and good health too. Dorothy
 

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Name: dmitry meleshko
City, Country: irkutsk, russia
Sent: 2.32 AM - 1/2 2003

Hi, come to Siberia! Good any time of the year.
Ask Marco Gylstra and Jan Jansen in Amhem, NL, geovision@compuserve.com they were to me recenty.
See my webpage www.irkutsk.ru/baikaladventure.
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 7.14 PM - 1/1 2003

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you all. Looking foward to Ramon's travels to India, and beginning our chats and messages again here in the Guestbook as well as in the Forum.

May 2003 be great to you and yours,
Best Wishes,
Joan

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Name: Diane Y. Hennessy
City, Country: Columbia, MO 65203 USA
Sent: 2.27 PM - 12/27 2002

Good travels to you. What an idea! I envy ou - youth, time, and energy. Comng to the USA? We are in the middle of the country. C'mon down!
 

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Name: Julie
City, Country: Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Sent: 2.10 PM - 12/26 2002

Hey Ramon!
I just wanted to say how inspiring your website is and by reading your daily reports I feel like I am right alongside you. I love to travel also but with job and money constraints (paying back college loans and such) I don't get to as often as I like. How I would love to tag along with you for a month or so! I just hope your travels include the States:)
 

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Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 8.04 AM - 12/25 2002

hello! I wish a merry christmas to you all; a greet in particular to brian, bret, joan, sharlini and sylvia (ex host). may you have a happy 2003!
ciao, donatella
 

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Name: Roos Broeders
City, Country: Groningen, Nederland
Sent: 7.22 AM - 12/20 2002

hi Gerben Feenstra!
I asume this name will mean something to you, Ramon. Remember being in school in rotterdam about 10 years ago (Emmaus)?!
I wish you good luck with travelling ans lots of fun and all best wishes for 2003.
x Roos (Rosemary Broeders)
 

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Name: Ramons Parents
City, Country: Holland
Sent: 12.13 PM - 12/15 2002

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hopefully it will be a peaceful year.
 

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Name: Bret
City, Country: CA,USA
Sent: 10.24 AM - 12/9 2002

ATTENTION BOARD MEMBERS!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Now get out there and have a good time dag nabbit!

Sala kahle

Bret
 

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Name: Marc Eigner
City, Country: Krimpen a/d Lek
Sent: 10.10 PM - 12/8 2002

Hi Ramon,
I was just surfing arround on the web try to get my mind on something else. I lost my best mate last weekend, my kat "Lucky". When I was on your website, I just remembered that you adore kats verry much aswell. Hopefully you'll place this last word of thank to my dearest cat "Lucky".

"lucky I love you and see you later somewhere, your allways loving boss "Marc Eigner".

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: USA
Sent: 6.53 PM - 12/7 2002

I can only see the top of Joan's message and no others. Good to hear from you, Joan. Yes, happy holiday season all this month! Brian, Bret . .. anyone . . . happy December and happy traveling to you, of course, Ramon! Can't wait for the next episodes to begin!

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 7.31 PM - 12/5 2002

Hi All,

Just wanted to wish everyone HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I wish you all happy times with family and friends if possible. And if you are separated by miles, hopefully you can get in touch for greetings via phone, cards and letters, email, during this time. Whatever the mode, get in touch! Life is too short! Enjoy the spirit of the season, and take count of your blessings. They are truly special.

Warm wishes to all for a happy and joyous Holiday Season,
Joan

---

Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 5.39 AM - 12/2 2002

hello ramon, have a nice trip - wherever you go. you lucky!
ciao, donatella

---

Name: LSOM
City, Country: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Sent: 8.44 PM - 11/27 2002

Dear Ramon,
How can I be qualified to be a member of your back up team from this little corner of the third 'smallest' island in the home planet earth - Borneo.
I believed one of them is the knowledge of processes about the site's concept. Do I stand a chance.

Lets Synchronise Our Mind.

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Name: Bret
City, Country: CA,USA
Sent: 12.19 PM - 11/23 2002

Frederic, Frederic, did you not read the warning at the top of the page? No email addresses. Which now brings up a question I have for Ramon. What about web sites? I know they have been posted before, but I have'nt kept track to see if they were deleted. Just curious. Hope your rest has healed that aching back. Looking forward to future posts. Maybe a behind the scenes of the back up team?

Getting back to Frederic. If you do find your post deleted or edited you'll know why.

Sala kahle

Bret

---

Name: Frederic
City, Country: Toulouse, France
Sent: 2.44 PM - 11/22 2002

Good day to all !
I have also writen a message on the forum.

My name is Frederic, from South of France.
I have travelled in Usa, South Africa, and Russia.
I like Ramon, he has a different life, he doesn't lose his time in a small office. He lives in the Real World !!

I would like to meet him..
Please come in Toulouse !!
send me a email : frederictlse@yahoo.fr
And please don't bann syrun ;-)

-Frederic from France.
frederictlse@yahoo.fr
http://profiles.yahoo.com/frederictlse
http://www.geocities.com/frederictlse (coming soon)

---

Name: Ana Maria Cordova
City, Country: Palos Hts. IL United States of America
Sent: 10.48 AM - 11/22 2002

Hello, I read about you when I lived in Madrid, Spain. Now I'm back home. I live in a suburb of Chicago so I'm sad to see that you've been already invited to Chicago. I was hoping we would get you first. But I've sent this webpage address to my friends around the US so maybe you'll think about coming to the states next! Good luck on your journeys and know you are very welcomed in Chicago!!

---

Name: Bugra
City, Country: Antalya, Turkey
Sent: 9.17 AM - 11/21 2002

I have been following your journey from the beginning. but I had to give a 8-month-army break. I am so sorry that all your photo collection gone! Go on visiting all around the world! And don't forget to visit Turkey.

RAMON:
Dear Bugra, please know that not ANY photo got lost. Everything is RESTORED after the September-hack, which means fixed, better again, okay, etcetera. :-)

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Name: Nik vWurzbach
City, Country: Düsseldorf, Germany
Sent: 8.12 AM - 11/15 2002

Hi Ramon,

cool thing! You are a real modern global nomad. Please stay save and show the world that human beings are not so bad at all. Your courage is great.

Good luck.

Nik v. Wurzbach

---

Name: Sharlini
City, Country: Kuala Terengganu
Sent: 9.30 AM - 11/14 2002

Hi Ramon!

It's nice to see a new and improved site after months of wondering what happened to you. I hope your back gets better and that your health will keep improving since you quit smoking.

Take care and enjoy!

Sharlini

---

Name: Leonard Stephen Ondu Majakil
City, Country: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Sent: 3.39 AM - 11/5 2002

Sorry, me a neanderthal dragging everyone into different posting. Bret, a post is better than no post. May I repeat what has been written somewhere in www. related to lmsfad.com author. Yes indeed and I believed, he says life is about communication, understanding and respect. If you don't communicate, you can't understand them. If you don't understand them, you can't respect them.
Why spent trillions and trillions on seconds(time) or whatever resources on space explorations and communication development with alien beings when we can't even be in rhythm and tempo with your fellow humankind in your own backyard.
My belief is that lmsfad.com is just about that. To communicate, understand as well as respect our nearest neighbours (you and me). Californian orange juice is incomparable or irreplaceable but me a surviving native of Dusun tribe still and forever prefer the polluted Borneo mineral water. Why? There is no way to survive the situation here, too. Might as well be in the exodus. I believe that there are millions similar to Ramon daily routine except on a different mode selection. In actual fact, if you are in 'an island life'(by Micheal Franks), you have no way out except collect all those empty mineral bottles with caps and tied them altogether and sail out but still you are in this home planet earth. The next and always the best thing is still what Ramon has said on communication, understanding and respect.

Indeed and I believe that as Tom Spence of Brimsmead predicts that BIG THINGS will keep on happening to RAMON. Yes, he is the author and advocate of lmsfad. He doesn't have to be graduated to be a journalist as he knows the story at the horizon. My opinion is that, if Ramon is ok, everyone is ok too and vice versa, because his life is made up of all of us.
Lots of Love,
LSOM always.

---

Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 5.09 AM - 10/28 2002

hello! after quite a month, I can now get a connession to this website (last week I tried, but there wasn't anything). the new design is nice, easy to be read 'cause it looks like the old one. I've read the lines you've dropped on the front page, ramon, and is nice to see that you go on with your "usual" life. I thought that I'd missed lots of thinghs & reports in this month but looks like it isn't. I'd like to send a greet to all the "old" writers here, I've just read the messages on this board.
ciao, donatella
 

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Name: Diane,
City, Country: Australia
Sent: 7.06 AM - 10/26 2002

Its just as well you have a sense of humour, Ramon! Cyber beggar? Out of curiosity I paid a visit to some of those other sites and believe me, you're not in the same league. The difference is that you treat your "benefactors" with respect. Those journos need to do their homework.
 

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Name: Rahul Mehra
City, Country: jaipur, India
Sent: 9.17 PM - 10/25 2002

I see your site great !!!
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 4.51 PM - 10/24 2002

Brian,

Interesting thought regarding the name of Ramon's book. Perhaps a forum discussion with ideas? It needs to be .... unique......like the project, but, will a book with a title "letmestayforaday.com" catch buyers, or will they think it's just another "dot com" book? ;-)

Then again, Ramon's pic on the front with a backpack will help. :-)

Cheers,
Joan
 

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Name: Brian
City, Country: Durban, South Africa
Sent: 9.30 PM - 10/23 2002

Hey hey hey! It's the same good ol' Ramon, with a brand new funky website!

Ramon, this new look site is great. I've started exploring, and will eventually get to try all the things. Funny, just this morning en route to work, I was wondering what you were up to, and when next you will set foot into the great wilderness of the world.

It's good that you've started on the other part of your project - The Book. Any ideas on a title yet? I s'pose it could simply be "Letmestayforaday.com". Or do you have other ideas?

Will the book "bare all" in terms of specific things that happened that you excluded from the daily reports? Will the people's names be included...? All the details? I remember your comments at my place about the "freeloader" accusations from the press... :-)

Ramon, you keep working as hard as we know. Enjoy the travel break, and the company of your friends.
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 5.05 PM - 10/23 2002

Ramon,

You probably already know this, but photos are not available.

RAMON:
Yep, saw that after uploading everything, but didn't have the time to work it out at that moment (had to go to work again, hehe). Now everything should be working. Minor bugs could still be here and there.
I'll also recreate that 'click here for the visitor's book'-link. ;-)
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 4.56 PM - 10/23 2002

Hi Ramon and all,

Missed you, wondered what happened. As I was reading about the huge bill you received from your provider, I thought I was going to have to open PayPal again! :-) Glad to see you got it sorted. But I WAS ready to fire up PayPal for ya! :-)

I like the new page design. Took me a bit to find the "Visitors" link, as I was so used to seeing MessageBoard and Forum in the left side menu. I have not tried the new message links, but read some. Pretty cool!!!!!!

Just one request. Hehehe, you know me, I am not shy! :-) Can you add back the link here that lets one open the message board full screen? The one where it said "If you don't see the messages, click "here"." The little separate box and scrolling on the main message board is kind of difficult to review sometimes. And my mouse scroll wheel gets real confused as to where I am located with multiple scroll bars (3 currently on screen). Me and my mouse are dizzy trying to find where we are. :-)

Sounds like you are busy working for a while to pay the rent and daily expenses. But, good fun "working" also. Enjoy your time bartending and DJ'ing, it sounds great and well deserved. I gather you'll be home through the New Year at least, since you have a gig booked. We want reports though, just 'cause you are home, you are not off the hook, hahaha!

Enjoy!!
Regards,
Joan

 

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Name: Evamaria
City, Country: Netherlands
Sent: 12.03 PM - 10/23 2002

I am glad to see Ramon's site again and hope that the messageboard will soon come back to life.
My best wishes for your back, your book and other plans!
Evamaria

 

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Name: Anne
City, Country: Trang,Thailand
Sent: 4.36 AM - 10/14 2002

hello, ur trip sounds fun hope u enjoy it!!
i hope sometimes i'll get that like u ;-)
xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx
Bye Bye
 

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis
Sent: 9.53 PM - 10/12 2002

I can't see them either. But I can see Aug. 31 pix fine.

---

Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 6.53 PM - 10/12 2002

Just wondering if anyone else is having trouble getting the Sept 1 pictures from daily reports? I am not getting any displayed.

Thanks,
Joan
 

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Name: Bret
City, Country: CA, USA
Sent: 9.48 AM - 10/11 2002

It's a message board! That means you leave a message to all who read the board. It's very much like a chat except you aren't in real time with the other people. I'm with Joan on this one. What harm was there trying to lead someone else away from the board and into the forum where they can continue an ongoing conversation. Sorry LSOM if you didn't get that post.

Bret
 

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Name: Gert M.
City, Country: Belgium
Sent: 2.41 AM - 10/11 2002

I think Ramon or his backup team has good reasons to keep the messageboard proper by deleting posts and simple responses. Probably it has nothing to do with other readers OR the project if "A" is posting messages to say hello again to "B" and "C". This ain't a chatbox. Thanks Ramon.

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Name: Charles
City, Country: San Diego, California
Sent: 3.11 PM - 10/9 2002

I have a confession to make as well. I'm really "Charley, San Diego." :-) ;o)

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis
Sent: 2.02 PM - 10/9 2002

That's good to know, Cynthia. Welcome back with your true identity. Honesty is good even when inconvenient.

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Name: Cynthia
City, Country: USA
Sent: 1.52 PM - 10/9 2002

I see everyone is here, Brian, Margaret, Bret, Joan, Charles. I have a confession to make. I'm really "Beth, Anytown USA" I felt I had worn out my real name on this message board. Hi everybody

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Name: Brian
City, Country: Durban, South Africa
Sent: 9.15 PM - 10/8 2002

Hi all

Hey, why the bun-fight? The last about 20 or so posts reflect society at large, and through it we can understand why we have wars. It is through lack of respect.

All those who are criticising Ramon, or anyone else, please, stop. Reflect on what you are saying. Reflect on what Ramon is doing.

We all have some form of daily activity. It might be filing invoices, it might be driving trucks, maybe managing a company. Or, it could be showing those who want to learn exactly how kind and benevolent the world can be, by travelling around the world and reporting the findings and adventures on the internet.

Whatever it is, we all do something.

If you are jealous then you need to take a hard look at yourself, and decide what you can do to fix yourself. Let Ramon be. He is working damn hard at this, and like Joan and others have said, he needs a break, just like everyone else does.

Yes, it is hard, but my mother brought me up under the maxim of "If you've got nothing nice to say, then keep your mouth shut!". It works. No-one is perfect, and the sooner we accept that, and have respect for each other, the sooner we will live in peace.

Ramon, you keep going, dude. Those who matter are right there with you. The critical folk will hopefully learn one day that their criticism achieves nothing other than tarnishing their name.

Sala kahle.

Brian

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 6.16 PM - 10/8 2002

To All, New and Old,

Yes, Ramon does edit messages here as well as the Forum. Actually, they are not "edited", they are deleted if inappropriate in the opinion of Ramon or his backup team. I've come to accept that, since this is a unique site, not like a chat room or a Newsgroup. Even though the Forum was designed (I thought) for more off topic things, it still is prone to deletions. I've had a post or two "deleted" there.

So, we should all just think of these services for a Message Board and a Forum as "moderated". I.E., censored. No problem, it's the nature of the site. Sometimes I have had entries zapped, but hey, it's a moderated group. If it was a total free for all like unmoderated internet newsgroups, it could become really a "world wide mess" and potentiall quite nasty. So though I don't agree with some of the edits, I respect the right of Ramon and his team to manage this site, their site. I just move on, still loving the project and everything about it, and all the work it takes to make this happen.

Keep on truckin' Ramon. And I hope you find a new clothing sponsor.

Cheers,
Joan

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis
Sent: 3.18 PM - 10/8 2002

To Beth:
I admire Ramon in many ways; I'm generally an appreciative person and think his project and outlook are inspiring. I also criticize him from time to time (maybe I like playing devil's advocate!), and in fact have had messages deleted. I don't mind. His job is to keep his website clear and effective. He also doesn't need to defend himself against nay-sayers any more than he already does; things have a way of all coming out in the wash. Anyway, I do appreciate this website, the project, and also participation by readers such as you, Bret, Joan, et al.

Like everyone else, I look forward to Round 2, whenever it begins. Meanwhile I still like looking at old pictures in the daily reports, etc.

---

Name: Beth again
City, Country: Anytown, USA
Sent: 2.37 PM - 10/8 2002

Margaret, you are truly Ramon's champion. Do you wish that Ramon would defend himself more against the nay-sayers?
 

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Name: LSOM
City, Country: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
Sent: 7.33 AM - 10/8 2002

I would like a rest if I am tired of anything polluting my very soul. Where? Quiet atmosphere and with fresh air. Live for working or work for living - neither, Ramon. It supposed to be a free world but look - birds are for the wide sky and they are still being caged. It's only the tip of an ice berg. Working is a slavery trade if there isn't any interest in the welfare of the human race or mankind. Even in the airforce, if it is meant to destroy others, is also a slave of the political gimmick or propaganda set out to entice human to one direction in life but the end product is always set to enrich those who think they are powerful, educated, better off or you name it. Hacking? - well, prevention is better than cure. See what I meant. To be good, be punctual(in updating). Show the world the beauty, the goodness as well as the truth about not wasting even a second of your life. As I mentioned earlier, I would take a rest if I am tired. Every breath of your life is a blessing. I am not here to add insult to any quarter injury but my personal opinion and experience.
Yes, hacking is not a good work for living neither do DELETING people opinions, views, perspectives, ideas which are meant for sharing amongst us.
Mr. Ramon, this website is also my site. Thanks as I can post messages which I think are constructive. Yes, definitely it is a free world if there isn't any toll in life.
To Airforce - spiritual warfare? (I can see you), I am one of the generous guys who will sent you tons and tons of Borneo water buffoloes' shit.

Thanks Ramon and please do forget the CHALLENGE for the time being.
JOY,
LSOM always.

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 9.26 PM - 10/7 2002

John,

Don't know that you are a true follower, because if you were you would know that Ramon does indeed deserve his break. In addition, though I was awaiting the last reports from Australia, I understood that Ramon only posted some pics and was just taking a break before writing those reports. He said he would write them and I trust he will, he's just a tad behind. No big deal.

Give him a break. I know sometimes I cannot even keep up with my work and little daily life emails, let alone the reports Ramon has commmitted to writing, and has fulled that committment 95% of the time. So we are missing the last reports, we'll survive. Consider the VCR screwed up, and we'll just have to wait for the next installment. :-) It's a great novel, continuing saga. I'm hangin' on for the next chapter for sure!

Cheers,
Joan
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 9.14 PM - 10/7 2002

I get 160 hrs, 20 days (4 weeks) plus 10 holidays a year, so that's 30 days, 6 weeks. :-) And if vacation is not used, I can carry over to a limit of 240 hrs the next year, 30 days. Meaning I could have 7 weeks vacation not including the 10 holidays time off. :-)

Ramon, I work for a living, I don't live to work. It pays the bills. I like my job, but would not shed any tears if I no longer had to work! :-) Anyone have the upcoming winning lottery numbers? Hehehe!

Cheers,
Joan
 

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Name: Ted
City, Country: Adelaide Australia
Sent: 9.11 PM - 10/7 2002

I'm with you John, we were promised closure of the last trip and it didn't happen. Ramon's credibility is on the line here. Start a job...finish it.

Ted
 

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Name: Beth
City, Country: Anytown, USA
Sent: 3.58 PM - 10/7 2002

Wow, I get 18 days after 13 years on the job. I need to move to London

RAMON:
But do we all live for working or work for living?
 

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Name: Charles
City, Country: San Diego, California
Sent: 1.06 PM - 10/7 2002

Karen, do you seriously get 25 days of annual leave per year? If so, I need to move to London. I'm lucky if I get 13 days off a year.
 

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis
Sent: 6.57 AM - 10/7 2002

OK John, where may we read about all that you have learned in your travels around the world? Ramon is a journalist by trade. A communicator. How about you? Not being sarcastic; I am truly interested in your travels, too, if you have a forum whereby we may read about them. Thanks.
 

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Name: John
City, Country: London
Sent: 4.48 AM - 10/7 2002

PS QUOTE from Ramon himself!!!'Next week another update. See ya!' posted 14 Sept, It is now 07 October, that's a long week Ramon.....

RAMON: Good one John! But it doesn't mean I am lazy at all. I just happen to have a life in The Netherlands too. And am I happy with that! New quote: Updates will be published when they are ready.
 

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Name: John
City, Country: London
Sent: 4.43 AM - 10/7 2002

No it wasn't a joke. And i am not jealous, i travelled for 3 years around the world but worked hard during that time to pay for my travels, in banks, offices, shops, pubs, fruit picking etc. I must hand it to ramon for coming up with such a unique idea however, it seems to me that he is running from reality, wasn't it his intent to travel for 5 years non stop?? Maybe i read it wrong. It is so easy for him to ride on the back of the media, I have not read one report whereby he is really roughing it and when things get any bit tough he seems to complain, is he always tired?????? Or the other option is to fly home. What he doing now? He hasn't written a report for weeks, leave the readers wait until he decides to take off again.. SAD!!!! I won't be waiting around to see what happens next.............Ciao

RAMON
If I would be totally honest, I would start EVERY report with the words "I am so tired", but wouldn't that be getting very boring? So I don't.
John, sure you watch some TV. See my project as a TV-show on the Internet. One season it's ON and one season it's OFF. And of course you get a cliffhanger and then you have to wait untill the next series.
And yes, certain things I have said in the beginning have changed. I never expected this project to be able to get that big. Blame it on my own big mouth (I hope to grow up when I get old).
And, you don't have to sit and wait and visit this website at the moment, just submit to the newsletter and I'll email you if there is any news. Good day.

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Name: Karen
City, Country: London
Sent: 1.02 PM - 10/6 2002

John in London: think you might want to reconsider your statement after reading the rest of the website as I think Ramon has bene doing very well over the last 1,5 years and deserves a break (don't we all live our 25 days annual leave, even after only working 40 hours a week, unlike Ramon who is on the road 24/7 when he is travelling!).

RAMON:
Oh, just ignore John. Enough people visit my site without enough knowledge of what is going on Exactly and write it off in emails or on this board. It just tells us all enough about those kind of people, doesn't it?

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Name: Margaret
City, Country: Minneapolis
Sent: 6.24 PM - 10/4 2002

John in London . . is it a joke? Ramon lives one of the most real lives of anyone I know! He earns his keep and his way. Must be a joke.
 

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Name: MJ
City, Country: Denver
Sent: 7.29 AM - 10/4 2002

Poor John, he's just jealous. :) It's too bad that Ramon is at home, we miss him!

:)

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Name: John
City, Country: London
Sent: 6.47 AM - 10/4 2002

Ramon, i think you are pathetic, you bum your way around the world and keep flying home for a bit of TLC, who pays for your flights home???? You should get a job and get a life........Try living in the real world!

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 7.22 PM - 9/30 2002

Hi Ramon,

I hope you are enjoying your time off. And relaxing, etc. with your parents, family and friends. Any hints on where you will go next, or when? Just curious.

Hope all is well with you.
Cheers,
Joan

P.S. I am not into this Forum debate, it is too stressful! :-) I'll back off from that, just want to enjoy your site and travels and people, etc

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Name: Kyleigh
City, Country: Perth Australia
Sent: 1.33 AM - 9/17 2002

Just something small - it isn't 'small-puppy' syndrome, it is 'tall poppy'. Poppy as in the small red flower. The theory is that when one person gets ahead, rises above the other poppies in the field, the others cut him down. It can be a sad reality in OZ, but thankfully it is not everyone who does this!

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Name: Gerhard
City, Country: Fortaleza, Brasil
Sent: 12.56 AM - 9/17 2002

Hi Ramon!,

Nice interview at radio 1 in Holland last Monday evening. I've heard it by internet. It was nice to hear you travel statement.

Keep travelling!

Greetings,

Joris. (volgend jaar januari weer Alkmaar)

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Name: Sarah
City, Country: Perth Australia
Sent: 6.37 PM - 9/15 2002

Hi Ramon,

Just letting you know on your daily update for the 14th of September you were saying something about "small puppy syndrome". Its actually called "Tall Poppy Syndrome" but you got the idea right.

See YA

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Name: Margaret S.
City, Country: Minneapolis area, USA
Sent: 11.23 AM - 9/14 2002

Thank you, Ramon, for the Ketchup song. It's great! A nice way to share a little bit of what's going on where you are now, home sweet home. Welcome home!
 

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Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 11.03 AM - 9/14 2002

hello ramon, I've just read the latest report. just a joke: during my holiday, my boyfriend and me were surrounded on the beach by french, english.. and of course there were german people too. my boyfriend joked sayin' that germanic tongues sounds like chewing stones (no offence for any german or northern european!!), so now I was just wonderig how funny could be a netherlander singing the impossible "asereje"...

RAMON:
Actually, the song "Asereje" is sung by the three Spanish (!) sisters with the surname Tomate, so their groupname is Ketchup. As asereje is their major hit in Europe, the song is also easily called The Ketchup Song, because our Spanish isn't that great. The rest of the language in the song is English and something fantasy. The song is about songs you don't understand.


ps: to cynthia from colorado. excuse me if I take the liberty of intervening in this point between you & ramon. no doubt that some of the pictures are out of place (the one on the tower, the one with the underfed child), anyway I've been following this site so far and I've never found anything made with the aim of offend no one else (at the contrary, I've often noticed here tolerance). -dona
 

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Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 10.09 AM - 9/13 2002

great most of the pictures! :D congrats to the artists!
:) donatella
 

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Name: Cronan
City, Country: Dublin, Ireland
Sent: 3.14 AM - 9/13 2002

Hey Ramon,
I know you are now on a bit of a holiday, but are you going to finish your australian reports?
Missing everything since 28th Aug, it is like the last few pages of a book being torn out....want to get to the end.
I have been following the reports from Day 1 and hate missing out.
Have a good break,
C.

RAMON:
You are absolutely right, Cronan. I am back home, have time and can do what I want, so I taking lots of breaths around here. But don't worry, the reports are really coming up soon.

Tomorrow there is even an update coming up from my first week back home!
 

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Name: Thorsten
City, Country: Krefeld, Germany
Sent: 8.45 AM - 9/11 2002

All the best for your trip. In 1997 I tried out to go to Spain without money. It worked!!!!
Now I am in Egypt and I am going to go back to Germany, again without anything. If I have had a flat, I would invite you. Hope to meet you in any time Thorsten
 

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Name: Juut
City, Country: Groningen, NL
Sent: 7.44 AM - 9/11 2002

Heee Ramon! Still doing great! Take care and lots of love!! Judith de Groot
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 7.21 PM - 9/10 2002

Ramon,

I just logged on to say "Bless you all as we remember the tragedy of Sept 11, 2001." Thank you for your memorial picture and words here as well.

Peace on Earth! Bless you all! May we never forget!
Joan
 

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Name: H-Alien
City, Country: Netherlands
Sent: 4.58 AM - 9/9 2002

Don't forget to run around among the cows while you're back home...it's a must ;)
 

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Name: James
City, Country: Arnold, CA, USA
Sent: 9.56 PM - 9/8 2002

Ramon,
Welcome back or welcome to there. Sounds like in all events the other side is coming up. I have truly enjoyed these past many months since first beginning to follow and share with others your travels. Hopefully you'll rest mind and body, and then, when the itch to go needs to be scratched again, you''l begin again to enlighten us all. But if that's not for awhile, I 'll continue to surf for other interesting web loggers.
Besides meeting new people, I think I'll miss the sunsets most.
J
 

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Name: Brian
City, Country: Durban, South Africa
Sent: 9.12 PM - 9/8 2002

Hi Ramon

Welcome home! Don't hassle too much about your Romanian cretin, he probably does not represent the rest of that country's population. Also, you can think of it as a lesson in life. The benefits of which will be a stronger website, a new skill acquired in the securing of websites and their servers, and you'll be a brilliant chef with all those cakes. (Or you'll keep a bakery in business for a while!)

You keep strong, Ramon. Get a physio to attend to your back, and relax until you and your back are ready for more travels.

All the best, Ramon, we're all right behind you.

Sala kahle

Brian

 

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Name: Roger
City, Country: East Lansing USA
Sent: 9.07 PM - 9/8 2002

Ramon.... what a great website and concept. I've started my own website these last months... in fact next year, I'm giving up on my career to travel full time... but I don't know that I could do the travel without a budget thing. But if you have some pointers or places that I need to see, let me know. Here's my website: http://www.thisworldtraveler.com
Roger
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: Ipswich England
Sent: 7.18 AM - 9/8 2002

Hi Ramon Its a terrible thing to happen to you , but dont worry , its not the end of the world. You will be back after a good rest ,relating your adventures in the next country. Keeping us on the edge of our seats, and making us laugh at the things you get up to. Make the most of this break and being with your family, and return refreshed because we cant wait to hear more about these wonderful countries and nice people that you meet.
All the best Joan
 

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Name: hanneng
City, Country: Singapore
Sent: 5.35 AM - 9/8 2002

I am glad that letmestayforaday.com is back online now. Ramon, tt's good to take this opportunity to fix-up some security bugs, and revamp the sites.

Keep us posted, and we following you.
Best of luck.

 

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Name: Bret
City, Country: CA,USA
Sent: 10.00 PM - 9/7 2002

What do you think Ramon? Is airforce for real? If so I do admire that he is owning up to his irresposibility. We shall see in the coming days airforce how everyone feels. I would suggest if people want to discuss this further, we take it to the forum.

Sala kahle

Bret
 

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Name: airforce
City, Country: romania
Sent: 10.12 AM - 9/7 2002

As you can see my friends...
I am not afraid to reveal my true identity ..
I will provide you with my real name and adress ...
As i said .. i`m willing to eaven go to prison for my actions ..
I am not afraid of this .. But in this country if u do only good things u are prosecuted .. g33z .. my mother died when i was 14 ... my old man is 70 years old ..
and u guys judge me so hard ..
I made a mistake ... as i can see it will be solved .. all that i can say is yes i am sorry about this .. and no i dont live my life through a computer .. g33z .. i cant eaven afford one ..the are too expensive for my pocket ...But think of what i could of done if i had a PC ... and dont think bad!
I`m gonna mail everyone i hacked ... or i am about to .. and tell`em whats wrong with they`re servers ..
If anywone wants to eaven consider that i desirve a chance in this gawd damned "moral" world .. mail me at airforce@undernet.sh
btw ... my real name is Peter Pavel Eugen and i am located in Romania!

I am sorry ... and i appoligise to all of you:((
 

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Name: Jasper van Dijk
City, Country: Netherlands
Sent: 3.31 PM - 9/6 2002

Hi Remon,

What a mess... getting hacked, I don't know why those stupid guys (or girls) want to do that? let them think of a better way to get some attention...

Hope you get some rest back home, and wach your back.

regards, Jasper
 

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Name: inge dietz
City, Country: Melbourne, Australia
Sent: 2.35 PM - 9/6 2002

Hallo Ramon, for many month I enjoyed your reports. hopefully you are back soon. Best wishes inge
 

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Name: Acadia
City, Country: USA
Sent: 12.18 PM - 9/6 2002

Glad you are home safe and well, Ramon. The rest will do you good. I am looking forward to what will come next.

So sorry about the site SNAFU here. As the saying goes "It takes all kinds".
 

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Name: Bret
City, Country: CA,USA
Sent: 9.46 AM - 9/6 2002

Ramon, good to hear you had a safe journey home. Enjoy the rest, your deserve it. Looking forward to the updates once things get straightened out.

Airforce, if your apologies are sincere, then they should directed not only to Ramon, but to all of us that come hear daily to enjoy Ramons travels. You really need to sit back and reflect on your moral standards. I think you know what is right and wrong, but your enthusiasm for what you have learned has been skewed. H-Alien is right, use your talents in a more meaningful way.
 

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Name: Karen
City, Country: London, UK
Sent: 8.00 AM - 9/6 2002

Enjoy the stroopwafels, pannekoeken met stroop, Wieckse Witte etcetera!
 

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Name: hariette
City, Country: the netherlands
Sent: 7.11 AM - 9/6 2002

welkom thuis Ramon!
 

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Name: MJ
City, Country: Denver
Sent: 6.33 AM - 9/6 2002

I would say that all of these postings, rantings, and etc is exactly what the hacker wants. Maybe the only way this hacker can live is thru his/her computer and cannot make it in real society. Don't give him the satisfaction anymore of acknowledgement; for that is what he needs. Let's talk about physics or the pilot strike in France..or just Ramon in general. :) Worthy subjects.
 

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Name: No1
City, Country: usa
Sent: 5.21 AM - 9/6 2002

what happened to my last message?

Anyway, once AGAIN, good luck Ramon.

RJ
 

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Name: Ramon's mother
City, Country: Holland
Sent: 4.25 AM - 9/6 2002

Nevertheless hacking he is now home safe. May be for a short period but we are glad he is with us.
 

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Name: H-Alien
City, Country: Netherlands
Sent: 3.56 AM - 9/6 2002

in short you have 2 categories

1) point and go "uuuuh a weakness"
2) strengthen that weakness

right now you belong to category 1, while to accomplish your goal as you stated being in category 2 would be far more logical.
 

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Name: H-Alien
City, Country: Rotterdam
Sent: 3.51 AM - 9/6 2002

Airforce that somebody makes it easy for you to brake in, is not a valid argument to actually go ahead with the brake-in, it's your own choice you broke in, you're responsible no one else, simple methodolgy.

And the choice of your "victim" is pretty low if you ask me, Ramon travelling around the entire world, hardly ever at home, working on a unique project was a extremely easy target, and what do you gain? is this website of major importance? does "the society" notice this hack? nope only a small group of people who happened to follow Ramon's life, wow what a major difference you made.

Easy target, nothing to gain, wouldn't you rather show your expertise as a security advisor and make sure that people like you can not hack sites. From your reasoning I conclude that what you are trying to accomplish is a safer environment on the internet. Now instead of pointing out those weaknesses, why don't you go and really make a difference, really go for what you are trying to accomplish, why don't you use your expertise as a security advisor and strengthen the weaknesses instead of pointing out, that's a far more honourable job, it will do you good :)
 

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Name: Leo
City, Country: from Holland
Sent: 1.34 AM - 9/6 2002

What an %*$hole that Airforce dude, just now yo're travelling to Holland...
 

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Name: Ang
City, Country: Australia
Sent: 8.58 PM - 9/5 2002

Well said ToolkiT.. and I'll add my own opinion if I may.. You have to laugh when Mr Hacker says in a previous message he didnt want to "destroy ones dreams" HA!! Its going to take more than a hacked website to destroy dreams.. especially the dreams of someone like Ramon.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ramon at the 'Make a Wish Foundation' charity night. The money that was raised will make even more dreams possible for some sick kids. What a great way to end his visit to Australia. I asked Ramon if HE could have one wish granted, what would it be? The answer was nothing less than what I expected "I would wish that I could make a wish every day" What a answer! and what a night!
I want to say Hi to all the Dutchies I met that night at the Pumphouse, and also to the guys from 'Dutch Online Promotions' who helped organise it all. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.. :)
 

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Name: ToolkiT
Sent: 5.13 PM - 9/5 2002

'Airforce'

Your logic makes no sense at all:"the only ones that are guilty are the "experts" that configured the server my friend.. wich themselves should be blamed for this shit ..
"
Thats like saying I have no responsebility of wrecking a car because I hotwired it and ran it into a tree, but hey the guy didnt lock the boot and I could get in the though the backdoor....
Or I can't be blamed for torching the place because I got in through a window that was left slightly open...
Because something has a weak spot in its security (or no security at all for that matter) does not give you the right to get in...
That you live in a poor country does not change that 1 bit. Non of this gives you the right to break the law..

How about using your skills for something constructive? If you are such a Unix/security expert go find a job using those skills...dont use it to trash other peoples machines...
Trust me that will backfire on you...

"I never judged anywone my entire life .."
Yes you did, you Judged, sentenced and executed Ramon because of the security loophole on his server...

"I also could of mailed Ramon.. and i have right after i /hack the server! "
Why AFTER you hacked his system??? you could send him an email before you broke the law..

"I wanted a legit shell at the server" the only 'legit' way to get that is to contact Ramon and ask him for one... if you would have emailed him instead of hacking him he may have offered you a (unpaid) 'job' as his security advisor... which would look very good on your resume increasing your chances in the real world...

Hacking a server of somebody who's on the road all the time and can't keep up with every security exploid is not the biggest achievement as a hacker, but thats off topic...

As for my Unix skills, you dont know me so you cant judge my Unix skills at all...

Please realize that hacking in this way is a destructive way of life, use your skills and energy for something positive...

p.s. using a spellchecker, you 'l33t' talk makes you sound like a scriptkiddie...
 

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Name: Brian B
City, Country: Raleigh, NC
Sent: 9.52 AM - 9/5 2002

Ramon, hope this server mess doesn't cause you too much worry. At least it came at the end of your Australian trek instead of in the middle of it. Have a relaxing break.

Brian B
 

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Name: airforce
City, Country: nowhere
Sent: 9.23 AM - 9/5 2002

To Tollkit,

scriptkiddie my friend??
u have no ideea what i can do ...what harm i could do to so manny servers in this gawd damned world ..
after all i donno why the heck i am condemned for this shit ..
the only ones that are guilty are the "experts" that configured the server my friend.. wich themselves should be blamed for this shit ..
and about what i used to hack this server .. is something that i made myself ..
btw .. u call u`reself a guy that knows shit right??
why couldn`t you prevent this to happen??
ha??
tell me ... all of you ..
Ask ramon .. nothing was erased... nothing was damaged by me ..
My only mistake was makin` a psy on the server... a psy that was heavily flooded ... thats all ..
So dont "scriptkiddie" my friend .. when u have no ideea what unix means ..
One more time .. i tell to all of you !
Do not judge me too hard .. i have my guilt, but i have to live with that ..u have no phukin` ideea how bad i feel for doing this ..
so dont lecture me about what good or bad .. u dont have this right!
i live from this shitty internet, i worked so hard to get here ..
I know stuff that u guys will never know .. becouse knowledge is power in our days ..
But i live in a country where i cant eaven afford a PC .. Dont talk to me about what is wrong or right when u guys dont eaven give a shit ...
I have done wrong to Ramon .. and i know that ... it is my mistake and i am willing to accept the consequences!
So dont judge me!
I never judged anywone my entire life ..

P.S.: and yes .. i can be a guys friend ... but what chance do i have??
I also could of mailed Ramon.. and i have right after i /hack the server!
You can ask him!
I wanted a legit shell at the server .. g33z ppl ... think before u say something!
 

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Name: donatella
City, Country: milano, italy
Sent: 6.06 AM - 9/5 2002

hello ramon, after all the mess with the hacker (smart people everywhere...) I'd like to wish you a good relaxing and funny time at your own home. stay well!
ciao, donatella
ps: also a greet to all the readers who often write on here (the so-called "supporters") - ciao* dona
 

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Name: Menno
City, Country: Beaumaris VIC Australia
Sent: 2.29 AM - 9/5 2002

Hey Ramon,

We crossed paths between Europe and Australia! I just returned from Holland this morning, only to find that I can't read your post-Tassie reports at the moment. Bugger....

Anyway, I reckon you must be happy now to be able to "recharge your batteries" for a while, after all those travels, faces, life stories and having to adapt in your daily role as guest. No place like home....

I have a deep respect for what you achieved and the way you achieved it, *your* way! And I am glad to be part of that little community that helped make it possible.

Regards,

Menno

"The way to stay sane is to be crazy now and then...."

 

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Name: Ron from Dutch On-Line
City, Country: Sydney
Sent: 1.44 AM - 9/5 2002

Ramon,

Thanks for visiting Oz
I think raising $675 for the make a wish foundation is a good amount
Hope you enjoyed the whole country
Sally from Make a wish in Sydney send your info on the the Dutch Make a wish foundation
The charity night was nice and relaxing
But do come back we have so many bitterballen, frikandellen en Grolsch beer left over.

Have a safe trip home

From

Ron Ellen Bradley and all those nice people at the Let me stay for a day charity night

PS Did you leave the Novotel mini bar on your last night as is or will I get a bill haha

as you would say .......Its Good Night from Sydney ..........
 

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Name: Perth Sales - McCaffertys & Greyhound Pioneer
City, Country: Perth, Australia
Sent: 11.57 PM - 9/4 2002

Hi Ramon,

Firstly, I must say how saddened I was to hear about this 'airforce' character and what occured with your web page.

Secondly, ditto for what Brian B - North Carolina says.

I hope your Charity night was a success. The kids at 'Make A Wish' will no doubt be wishing for more 'stars' like Ramon. "when you wish upon a star..."

Safe journeys on your way home.

By the time you get home you will probably need a holiday.

Nice to have met you and maybe we will meet again someday.

Kind Regards
From All The Team At McCaffertys and Greyhound Pioneer.
 

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Name: Marc Howard
City, Country: Sydney, Australia
Sent: 10.36 PM - 9/4 2002

Hi Ramon,

All the best for your coming journeys!
Was great to meet someone that has such a confidence in their own ability to achieve your goals even in such a inhospitible place as the Australian Outback.
Will send you through a few cards soon!
 

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Name: KlergyC
City, Country: Perth, Australia
Sent: 10.04 PM - 9/4 2002

Hey Dude. Sorry Some Di**Head Fu**ed Your Site Up. Hope Your Up Soon.

Safe Travels...
 

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Name: ToolkiT
City, Country: Australia
Sent: 5.06 PM - 9/4 2002

To Airforce, who posted below:

With friends like that who needs enemies? :/
If you wanted to 'to show you was that you`re server is vulnerable' you could have emailed him telling him what the weak spot was...
To me you are a cracker not a hacker... probably not even that, just a scriptkiddie...

If you are a man you expose your identity and face the concequeses of you actions... you really put Ramon in a shitty situation by your wanna be hacking...
 

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Name: Jo Neller
City, Country: Erina, NSW, Australia
Sent: 2.54 PM - 9/4 2002

Ramon

Have a safe trip home. Thank you for your support and advice when you stayed at my place. I have given Graham the flick. He was definately not worth the trouble. I have been going out with a lovely gentleman for 5 days. His name is Gary. He treats me well and with respect. It has taken four since my divorce and I'm really happy. Thank you once again. I hope all your dreams come true. I hope you and Irena can patch things up. Life is too short. Your living your dream and I have learnt alot from your stay. My motto in life now is to be happy and live life to the fullest. Hopefully we can catch up in the future. I'm going to Europe next year. Thanks again. Have a safe trip. Jo
 

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Name: stefan purucker
City, Country: vienna, austria
Sent: 1.43 PM - 9/4 2002

well, you have been here already, i guess.
so it´s hard to invite you again.
but we look at your route. keep on going.
a brilliant idea, but how do you feel meeting all
these people every day?
how many families have you met?
wish you all the best!

RAMON:
Hey Stefan, lots of questions, less time right now. I have only stayed one day in Austria until now, so I will certainly come back there again ... one day...
 

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Name: Aila Karppinen
City, Country: Sweden
Sent: 10.32 AM - 9/4 2002

Hi Ramon!Thank You for your ansver,it was nice to here from You?Are You still in Australia??My favorite place on Earth(one of favorites.)You are a wery speciall person,and brave, for doing what many people are dreaming about,to travel around our Beautiful Planet!Hope to here from You.God Bless on Your Journey!
 

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Name: airforce
City, Country: nowhere
Sent: 10.18 AM - 9/4 2002

Hi Ramon ...
I`m the ####### that is responsable for messing up you`re page ...
All that i can say is that i am sorry ..
I never got to "hacking" thinking that i would destroy one`s dream...
All that i ever wanted to show you was that you`re server is vulnerable ..
And if it wasn`t me .. it could of been someonelse who might of screw`d up the whole server ..
I am trouly sorry for this shit ..
All i wanted was to be friends ..
G33z ...
 

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Name: Fiona
City, Country: Adelaide
Sent: 5.33 AM - 9/4 2002

Hi Ramon!

I just logged on to wish you a safe journey home!

Happy travelling!


Fiona, Wayne, Imogen and Jasper (report #400!)
 

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Name: Nancy
City, Country: Leiden,Netherlands
Sent: 5.29 AM - 9/4 2002

Voor ramon, zodat je weer een beetje kunt wennen:O)
Home sweet home- peter gabriel
Met this girl called Josephine and took her up on my machine,
We had a little fun, and now we got a little one.
Had to get married, being chased out of town.
Found ourselves a place to live, we put all our money down.

Called it Home Sweet Home, Home Sweet Home,
Eleven floors up in a tower block, happy just to have a home.
I've gone and changed the lock on our home.

Nothing really worked out right; things got broke, they stayed that way.
None of our friends came round at night, little Sam got no place to play.
"We've got to get out of here, Bill," she said,
"I've been telling you all the while,"
When I came home from work that night,
She'd jumped out the window with our child.

From our Home Sweet Home, Home Sweet Home.
Just a place to take a rest, just a place to make a nest.
We call it home.

When the insurance money came through,
It seemed dirty, didn't know what to do.
Took out the cash, went down to the casino,
Down on the wheel on a double,
And I won, yes I won, like I never won before.
Bought myself a country house with an antique carved oak door.

It was Home Sweet Home, Home Sweet Home.
Just a place to lay our head, think of all the things we said
About in our Home Sweet Home.




 

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Name: Willem
City, Country: Nimy-mons, Belgium
Sent: 5.05 AM - 9/4 2002

Keep it up Ramon!!!
Regards, Willem
 

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Name: Brian B
City, Country: Raleigh, NC
Sent: 4.59 AM - 9/4 2002

Ramon, sorry about the internet troubles, hope they will be cleared up before you leave Australia. Good luck with letmestayforaday.com Charity Night. What a great way to give something back to the Australian people for helping you along in your travels. Just think, 16 months ago when you started your journey, did you ever dream it would come this far. I think you probably did. I don't know how long you can keep this up, but if you spend 6 months in all of the countries you have invites in, it would take you 35 years, haha (i realize you won't stay 6 months in each country).

Good luck with the charity night and have a safe trip home. One bit of advice, try and finish up the Australian reports before you get to Zwolle (on the plane or something), because I have a feeling you won't feel like writing reports once you are back home (I don't blame you I wouldn't either, what with all that Grolsch beer you speak so fondly of).

Thank you Ramon for opening our eyes to parts of the world that many of us will never see.

good luck.

Brian B
North Carolina
 

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Name: Anne
City, Country: Melbourne Australia
Sent: 4.31 AM - 9/4 2002

I hope the memories of your time in Australia will stay with you always. Stay safe as you continue your travels.
 

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Name: Sherry
City, Country: Glebe
Sent: 9.03 PM - 9/3 2002

Hey dude? How are your knee's? haha!
Had lots of fun with you at the bar and
Glebe Village Backpackers!
Catch you on the flip side!
Ciao
Sherry:)
 

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Name: Alexandra
City, Country: Adelaide, Australia
Sent: 5.48 AM - 9/2 2002

Wishing you all thebest for your travels back home!! Take care
- Alex :):)
 

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Name: Jamie
City, Country: Naperville, IL USA
Sent: 10.58 AM - 8/30 2002

Hi Ramon, how all is well with you..
...just a quick note to Brian..
...I am afraid I am not in your hometown, but here in the US. I should have been clearer when I said I was "currently in Durban", as I meant that is as far as I got reading Ramon's reports.
 

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Name: Brian
City, Country: Durban, South Africa
Sent: 8.58 PM - 8/29 2002

Hi Ramon

Just a short note to wish you well with your party in Sydney. It's good that you are raising funds for charity. Hey, all the Sydney folk, you guys have to go! I don't want any excuses, you have to support Ramon in that party.

Jamie, from Naperville, Il, I see that you are "currently in Durban". Is that in the reports, or physically? If physically, then welcome to my home. Perhaps we can get together for a drink. If in the reports, then happy reading!

Sala kahle

Brian

 

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Name: Renee
City, Country: Currently Delft, Netherlands
Sent: 11.52 PM - 8/28 2002

Hoe gaat het! This is Renee from Ramons Brisbane & Mooloolaba stay (and we also ran into each other on Magnetic).

Just thought I'd say hello from your own country Ramon! You know how I love the Dutch - well I kept in touch with a guy I met on Fraser Island 18mnths ago & he flew to London to see me when I got back from Canada. We've been a couple since and are very happy! :) He loves Aussie girls and I love Dutch guys so it's a great match, not to mention a lot more in common and he is the most wonderful boyfriend in the world :) So now I'm staying-for-a-month with him, and he will be with me in the UK in September for a week and we're working out beyond that, but he's been planning on living in Australia since I met him so hopefully we'll both end up there in about 2004. Meanwhile I'm trying to learn Dutch and it's rather difficult! Have also just learnt to ride a bike, been for a cruise up a canal and am eating lots of cheese. So I can now totally associate with you having to learn all new things in your travels as now I'm doing it all in your own country!

Anyway wanted to wish you good luck returning back home and enjoy your break :) Doei.
 

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Name: James
City, Country: Arnold, California, USA
Sent: 1.19 PM - 8/28 2002

Sorry, but I want to weigh in back with the comments on world awareness. There is an international newspaper printed in the US and many other countries called the Christian Science Monitor. Yes it does originate from a religious group, but 98% of its content is international news and comment. It is widely read. Take a look it has opened up my view of the world. Especially since it tries to focus and the people and the issues, not the sensationalism of the news.
Continue on, keep em' flowing
J
 

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Name: Jamie
City, Country: Naperville, IL, USA
Sent: 8.31 AM - 8/28 2002

Ramon,
you are an inspiration to us all. I have been reading your site from day one (currently in Durban, South Africa)... your insite into people is truely amazing.

Safe Travels.

Jamie

 

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Name: Bart
City, Country: Belgium
Sent: 6.19 AM - 8/28 2002

The name of the Dutch guy who "discovered" New- Amsterdam (New York) was Peter Stuyvesant
 

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Name: ...
City, Country: ...
Sent: 10.41 AM - 8/27 2002

Careful Robert,

Manhattan was not "discovered" by the Dutch. Natives had been living there for countless generations. Some of the Dutch and the Puritans attempted to exterminate the Natives, and many were captured and sold as slaves. Not the prettiest chapter in American history.

(Not trying to alienate anyone or start any arguments on the actions of people hundreds of years ago - I just don't like the "discovered" claims!)

RAMON:
Thanks ... But what is wrong with a simple name for you?
 

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Name: Linda
City, Country: Hobart, Tasmania
Sent: 4.23 PM - 8/26 2002

I just noticed one of the comments in Ramon's report on his arrival in Melbourne. Thanks for sticking up for us Tasmanians, Hamish!

Linda
 

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Name: lazystudent.co.uk
City, Country: UK
Sent: 3.29 PM - 8/26 2002

Ramon

Its always great to see that you are doing well we keep checking and everythings running really smooth. Australia sounds and looks great from the pictures you you have taken. We also like the write ups on the day to day events.

Your doing fantastic.

Talk to you soon.

lazystudent
 

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Name: Craig & Lauren
City, Country: Bendigo, Australia
Sent: 12.08 AM - 8/26 2002

Ramon,

Lauren and I want to thank you for including us in what must be an amazing experience for you. It is truly astounding what a little hospitality from one person at a time can accomplish; and for someone to have the courage to take that leap of faith and make it work is fantastic. We wish you luck in the rest of your travels and hopefully one day we will get to Zwolle and visit you (if you are home that is...lol)

Anyway, thank you again. You were the perfect houseguest and most welcome to stay if you are in Bendigo again.

Good luck!

Craig & Lauren
 

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Name: Robert
City, Country: Indiana, USA
Sent: 5.54 PM - 8/25 2002

Ramon,

I was just thinking, New York City, ie., Manhattan,
was discovered by a Dutchman. His name escapes me,
at the moment, but you may know his name. Now, in
NYC and in other US cities 50 years ago, we had pay
toilets in hotels and other establishments. It, also,
occurs to me that another Dutchman invented the "Limbo" to enter these pay toilets. Are you
related to this guy?
 

---

Name: Acadia
City, Country: Maine, USA
Sent: 3.49 AM - 8/25 2002

Lew,

Aptly put.
 

---

Name: Lew Bretz
City, Country: Elephant Pass Tasmania, OZ
Sent: 6.49 PM - 8/24 2002

Hi Ramon,
I'm glad you're caught up with your diary and that your minor storm over Tasmania got cleared up.

For the group, though, or those who read about his night at Elephant Pass...

there were a few misremembered details in Ramon's
posting, mostly not errors that would concern anyone. But I'm shocked, Ramon, absolutely shocked, that you could suggest I'd ever drive anything manufactured by Honda! ;-)

But for any Americans I should clarify what I meant in reported comments on parochialism in the US and elsewhere. If Ramon didn't grasp it all, I
may be the guilty party. I not only did the explaining in what was, for Ramon, a foreign language, I was also pouring his wine!

I certainly admit that half of the US is indifferent to almost everything happening overseas that doesn't directly concern them. But it's arguable that almost everywhere else half the people, at least, aren't much
different.

Half of them, after all, have below average IQs and education levels. You can get through university, even, without having studied social issues in
depth past age 16. And how much did any of us understand at 16?

Although I don't speak Dutch, I've got enough language background to follow the news in several European languages from France to Russia. I've often detected the same parochialism in these European channels, which we can watch in Australia thanks to its ethnic media network, SBS. It's always interesting for me as an American to see how they handle US-related
stories and which ones they find of interest. It often says more about them than about America.

Even in an outward looking culture, which Holland has been for 5 or more centuries and Australia is since its British trading network ended, local stuff is what
viewers generally want. I just now listened to Australia's ABC radio news this morning--the ABC is our equivalent of Britain's BBC or Canada's
CBC--and nearly all its stories were irrelevant to anyone outside its minority listening audience--irrelevant even to most of Australia, to say nothing of the wider world.

I'll save the list of stories in case Ramon, as a longtime student of journalism, is interested--they'd probably bore anyone else. But the list shows how, in today's complex world, we all tend to drastically scale down our attention span, and look for some connection between a story and our lives; if there's no obvious link, we don't have much patience for it and our minds move on.

Media proprietors hate that. We are not their customers, we are their PRODUCT. The advertisers who want our attention are their real clients.

I hope this wasn't too wordy, but looking back on it the topic it seems to warrant this much attention; maybe someone else could put it simpler without dumbing it down. And perhaps some others tracking Ramon have some views on this too? I know he's busy mulling over such stuff and hopefully he'll share his conclusions with us when they're "ripe".

cheers and best of luck on your return trip Ramon,
Lew

RAMON:
I could not have said these things better. Lew, you keep amazing me. You really must have been a great teacher at the schools you taught, because I keep learning new sorts of insights from you.
Blame it on my age, I'd say, but hopefully I keep learning all these new things along the road. As I am, a student of life.
Thanks, Lew!
 

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Name: Anne
City, Country: Cairns, Australia
Sent: 6.39 PM - 8/24 2002

Dear Ramon,
How Vickie could think you are anything but a gentleman, I don't know. You certainly did not leave our house in a mess either! We cannot force others to do what WE want just for our own satisfaction. You happily joined in our family's activities and outings, but if you had declined through tiredness or a wish to update your travels we would have honoured that.....indeed your final day was just that ...catching up.
To Ramon's mother...you can be proud of your son...he is a perfect guest.
Enjoy your break back in Holland.
All the best,
Love Anne and the crew.
 

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Name: Joan
City, Country: USA
Sent: 5.49 PM - 8/24 2002

Hi Ramon,

I had to comment on your report of Aug 21 where you begin with "When I woke up this morning my hostess Linda had left a note in the kitchen with the instructions how I can survive for breakfast or lunch."

I know this has happened to you at other host/hostess homes as well. I believe it is a testament to your web site, your integrity, your reporting expertise, your photos, etc. which allows people to not only let a "stranger" into their home, but to also leave him ALONE in their home when they go off to work. Amazing trust and faith in you. For people to leave you in their home, where your could "in theory" rip them off or invade their private things, mess with their possessions, etc. - but then again, you'd be easy to track down as your travels are not secret! :-)

I just think it is really a testament to you and your idea and your web site that allows people who invite you, and allows you as well, to have an implicit trust in one another. Really refreshing.

P.S. Loved the hermit crab races. But I think they could do a better job of painting those shells to match some F1, CART, IRL, NASCAR or AUSCAR cars! :-) How about a "Schumi" crab or a "Castroneves" crab or an "Andretti" crab or a "Gordon" crab or an "Earnhardt" crab? ;-) Just to name a few. (OK, I admit it, I am a car racing fan!)

"Weather is here, wish you were beautiful!" :-)
Happy trails.
Joan
 

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Name: Kevin
City, Country: Zimbabwe
Sent: 1.56 PM - 8/24 2002

Ramon,
This is my first visit to your site, and man I'm impressed- such an original idea. I see you get around a fair bit, and have even ventured to such EXOTIC locations as South Africa. If you get the chance maybe you like to venture a little further north next time, so come up and see us!
Stay well, and enjoy your travels.
PS Enjoyed reading about the Zimbabwean you met between Pembleton and Perth (21.07.02)
 

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Name: took
City, Country: thailand
Sent: 5.11 AM - 8/24 2002

I am took , thai woman. i am a little officer in independent organization , work about develop's work with poor people and community in thai.

Frist, i am sorry ,i want to tell you that " i cannot use English languange well , sometime it's very bad " ok! I will try...
i knew you from Future magazine , after i read your story already , made me interested !

Do you know Thailand? Thailand has many placeS are nice , and the people are kind [almost tourist knew that]
but there is one more corner , many person never see , "it is real thai life corner" There are many people are poor in thai , they are very diffecult.They don't have some food / house and every things ...The life is without chance and hope.it is empty

i knew that you travel a lot and see many things in the word . you can write and link a lot imformation and the sponsor's company .
i think that , if you need make good thing in your one life and for the other people are in the same world . you can do , it is very easy for you.

if you take thier story [poor people] when you travel in every country , write and link together . you may doubt that "what will happen with this doing?" and "what are you receive ?" i can answer you that "i don't know and you cannot receive any thing ."

but one thing i believe , you will feel good and hope that , sometime there is some one think like me and you and want to help them . I need to see help's network [help and help and help] i think that , it is a good way for human in the same word.

i don't request you do it , just want to do the thing which i think that " make my life has value , i have only one life . i don't need to think and do for only myself. i don't know about impact of my develop 's work. i don't have money or knowledge a lot for help them. but one thing which i alway try to do. it is try to think and do good thing with the people are around me and every time , if i have a chance.

now you have big chance already, you have big contact in the word . you are become known and " you have power for do good thing and build value in your life " . i believe that!

if you come thailand , i welcome to bring you to see diffecult life , one life's corner which nobody interest!

THANK YOU ALOT FOR YOUR READING MY . i still do this thing . although , you will do or not

let's visit thai! you can see new thing ...
 

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