Main Entry: Slow He·ro Pronunciation: 'slO 'hir-(")O, 'hE-(")rO Function: noun Etymology: Latin heros, from Greek hErOs 1 a : a member of the Slow Travel community who goes "above and beyond" to help without thought to reward b : a Slow Traveler who makes others feel comfortable, safe, and welcomed c : a figure admired for his or her noble qualities d : one who performs good deeds
We would like to thank all of our regulars who spend their time helping other message board members. Without you this message board would not be as informative and would not be nearly as much fun.
We would especially like to recognize two regulars who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and enriched the whole Slow Travel community with their kindness and generosity:
- Happy in Paris
- Cristina
Happy in Paris and Cristina are our new "Slow Travel Heroes"!! We are giving them a special member title and a Slow Travel Goodie Bag as a small way of saying "Thanks for all that you do - you are our heroes".
Cristina is a past moderator, who now runs her own website/message board - www.expatsinitaly.com - but still makes time to offer help to the travelers on this board. Cristina's good deeds included:
Thank you so much Dave and Cristina! You are definitely worthy of such distinguished titles!
Great idea Chris and moderators. It's a very sweet thing, Slowtrav Heroes, There are so many well deserving "heroes" here at Slowtrav.com I'm thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful and fun community.
This is such a well-deserved thing you are doing for these people! Cristina and Happy in Paris...you rock!
I know from my personal experience that Dave and Aralynn are truly magical people...I would not have been able to walk thorugh the rather trying ordeal that happened to me in Paris if it hadn't been for Dave's kindness and intelligence.
He instructed me to get in touch with the police in the 18th Arrondissement and FILE A POLICE REPORT so that my insurance company would take me seriously when I reported the theft to them.
I was never so delighted as when the insurance adjuster asked me, somewhat gleefully, a few weeks later after I'd arrived home, "I don't suppose you bothered to file police report, DID you?"...and I, just as gleefully, replied, "Why, yes...as a matter of fact I did bother to do just that! It's 18 pages long, filed in French, as well as a copy of the report translated into English, for your edification, sir!" (...hmmm, wonder if he felt the "Gotcha!"... )
He was also the backbone that I needed when I'd lost most of my own, and was close to crumbling under the sheer enormity of having to deal with that situation.
His assistance was a light at the end of the tunnel...a light that was definitely NOT a freight train!
Perhaps these lovely people could have an angel graemlin permanently emblazoned next to their names on the board? That would seem fitting, I think!
"There are people who take the heart out of you...and there are people who put it back." With my gratitude and my sincere, heartfelt thanks, Brenda
Cristina organized a scrumptuous lunch for our GTG in Castellini in Chianti in Sept 2003, then she wasn't able to attend because of sickness. It only cost 30 Euro each person, and it went on all afternoon. It was one of the best meals we had in Italy!
Thanks, Cristina. Looking forward to meeting you in person, someday!
Charity
Posts: 1465 | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: 11 May 2003
OMG Pauline. I cannot believe I did that. I even double checked with the list on top of the page. I guess 1 cup of coffee wasn't enough for the coffee before posting rule.
"Back where I come from, there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They are called phil... er - phil... er yes, good deed doers. Therefore in consideration of your kindness, I take great pleasure at this time in presenting you with a small token of our esteem and affection. And remember, my sentimental friend, that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."
What a great idea! Being Slow Travel Heros is not about how often they post, or how verbose the posts. It is about their "off-board" generosity as well as their perfectly timed and effective real-time help. We have come to take this for granted from all of our great moderators. We are spoiled, and we hope that they know we appreciate them.
It is nice to see this recognition for those who don't have the official "job" of bailing us all out.
I have a couple of other's to nominate. I'll e-mail their names and my reasons to Colleen.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 4761 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
I think this is a wonderful new recognition-- and implemented on a very appropriate day!
And most importantly-- I can't think of two people more deserving of the recognition. Dave and Cristina have both reached out personally to help travelers, in addition to always being willing to share information and suggestions on the board.
We are fortunate to have so many ST members who are based in Europe-- I think the international community is part of what makes this board special. We are lucky to be able to form friendships here.
Don't worry, Cristina. heroes, and even more heroines, need a tiny little flaw to make them perfect. Otherways they would just be too much for us to ever hope to equal. (And notice that I didn't say a thing about the address thing. )
It is a lovely idea. Congratulations to our heroes! The generous spirit on this forum is what makes it feel like family. How easy it would be to ignore the questions that come up again and again, or just say "go search," but always there is someone with something fresh to add or the interest to make suggestions no matter how well-worn the territory. When a new member posts a familiar query, I seem to feel an array of regulars holding back briefly to see if anyone else responds, and then jumping in to help as needed, usually with a word of welcome as well. It’s like the difference between a smile and a scowl when you pass someone on the street - it can make your day.
Cristina also organized our Expats GTG in Asti at Barolo & Co, a great restaurant owned by a friend of her father's. It was great fun and enjoyed by all!!
I do hope you'll allow me to pass a share of the praise along to Aralynn, for her very large heart - and for putting up with me! I really want to pin a part of that title on her personally when she returns from Cairo on Friday - especially since we missed Valentine's Day! (And I missed the wonderful news until tonight, as I was in central France trying to pass the road test for a French driver's license. Another story ...)
I'm not sure I should be gathering accolades and Slow Travel goodies just for doing what comes naturally, and being able to do it from France. But you'd better believe I'm not going to turn them down!
Anyway, the inspiration comes from all of you wonderful, generous people. Pauline chose exceptionally well when she called Slow Travel a community. May it grow and prosper, especially in the treasures of the heart!
Originally posted by Happy in Paris: Well, golly! I'm truly honored. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I do hope you'll allow me to pass a share of the praise along to Aralynn, for her very large heart - and for putting up with me!
Dave, Please do share the praise and gratitude with Aralynn! We should have included her name, too, but never fear - we know she's the reason you're "Happy in Paris."
Posts: 13678 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
More kudos for Cristina She personally ordered and delivered a gift I wanted to send to Saena Iulia. It turned into a bit of a hassle for ner because they were closed some of Dec. and January. But Cristina stuck with it and finally got the gift to them.
Thanks, Cristina, so much. I have meaning to thank you "publicly" for a while and this is the perfect opportunity.
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(And notice that I didn't say a thing about the address thing. 
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