The gamble that paid off!

[tinozigzag]

To be really able to express my feeling about the all event I should write it in Italian, but I am going to try on my best English.

It took me a long time to make my mind up about this journey, leaving every thing to came to LA TAXI RR, the cost, the long flight, what for, insecurities and so on. It turned out to be the best decision of my life. Such a great place to learn about our music, the business of it, the ins and out of it, to mingle with those BIG shots from the industry, whom very readily are there to help any one of us. What a great experience!

Right from the word go, I was mesmerized by the journey, what a huge country you have guys!! For 12h I could not keep my eyes away from the window.

Once at the hotel the first person I met as I was checking in, was Dave Walton ( whom I asked to wait for me as I was going to have an argument with the desk people and need some back up) what a great guy He turned out to be.

In a ,matter of hours I was meeting all those people familiar to me through the Taxi forum like: Chris, Matt, Chuck, Panos, Dan, Kayle, Marlin, Adonis, Taeko, Cisco, Bryan, Keith, Kurt, Jeff, (The italian contingent: Mazz, Bob, Al, Vincent, Patrizzio) Suz, Jeanna. CK, Tracey and Vance, Richard, Casey, Nomi, Jacqueline, Anne, Vicki, Lydia, Georgina and many others, last but not least my great friend Big Blue who helped to track down my room mate Elser (great to sleep with by the way) whose ware about was very suspicious!! and a special tanks to the "Indian Nation" (Cetan Wanbli Williams) for the great present I received.

What a great bunch of people you all are, and how pleasant, fan and unforgettable you made my stay. You been all very helpful, kind, unselfish and great people to party with till the early hours, I am seriously going to miss you all.

Even the last few hours on monday before my flight, when Matt Hirt whose kindness is immense, took us to visit Manhattan Beach (Hope is the correct spelling) I managed to meet some more great people from Colorado (Elizabeth Connell and Neil) who very kindly invited me to Colorado for another adventure)
I am still struggling to recover from this great event which I shall never forget for the rest of my life.

Thank you all so very much, and in particular to the TAXI TEAM WHO MADE ALL THIS POSSIBLE.

[guitaroboe]

TINO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

your greek friend here! We spent some wonderful moments together and I'm so GLAD I met you!
You are the official TAXI worldwide mascot! we should convince Michael Lascow to have you in the TAXI logo
driving the cab!

your friend always

Adonis

[davewalton]

What a great post... you expressed yourself in such a heartfelt way... translation was perfect!

[tinozigzag]

Adonisssssssssssssssssssssssssss What a great man you are!
Hope if you ever are in London, you are going to get in touch.
Your friend,
Tino

[keithl]

Tino!

It was a PLEASURE to meet you! You have a great outlook on life and wish you the BEST!

[guitaroboe]

Maybe this summer! who knows!!!

Spero di vederti presto!! did I say that right???

Adonis

[tinozigzag]

PERFETTAMENTE Adonis!

[fusilierb]

Tino!! It was an absolute joy to meet and hang out with you! You had me smiling every time you were around. So happy you made it out there. See you next year?!

B

[quantize]

Tino! Tino! Tino!

It was an immense pleasure meeting you. Thanks for sharing so much and for being such a big part of my first Rally experience.

You are truly a wonderful man.

Chris

[ckbarlow]

Ah, my handsome and charming dinner companion! Tino, it was a joy to meet you. I hope you can make it again next year!

You captured it all in this post. Well done!

CK