Hi everyone!

Well, well, I thought I may add some variety to the forum with my input, albeit inconsequential input(!), from just north of the equator. I'm from Trinidad, southern-most island in the Caribbean chain. Greetings everybody!!

Just a few weeks ago, very probably, mention of your pen-loving activities on this forum would have elicited an eyeball rolling response from me. Now look where I've ended up! I recently unearthed my Dad's 15+ year old Cross Century Classic featuring a medium 14Kt gold nib. It almost met its end as tossed out trash. It would have probably been so if not for this forum: I did a 'Google' search to find out why on earth people would use a fountain pen in the first place and I was lucky enough to come upon you. Since then I have been using this old fountain pen in wonderment. I am embarrassed to admit that I have put in orders for three new pens. Anyway, I just wanted to express my gratitude to all of you, and to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Best wishes,

Rory (aka 'Sno', shorthand for 'Snowflake' the cat)


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Howdy and welcome from Austin, TX!

Hi and welcome.

Hi Sno and welcome!

Hi Rory and welcome! Which pens did you order?

Hi! I ordered, 1. Namiki Vanishing point w/ 14kt gold stub nib (for my sister), 2. Cross ATX basalt black, 3. Taccia Ta-ke Bamboo Stripe. I hope they turn out okay.

Welcome to FPN! It's always wonderful to use something that has family history! Looks like you are hooked bad right from the start. I guarantee hanging around here won't make that any better!! We have a ball here, jump right in and enjoy!

Great to have you here Sno. What do you see in the Caribbean as far as fountain pens? I have a dim memory of a paper/pen store on Martinique that had quite a few pens, but that was a few years ago. Was also in Haiti in 2002 and recall a few of the civil servants wielding fountain pens, but that was before I was really paying attention. Is it perhaps an unexplored territory rife with vintage pens (ala Thailand per Speerbob)?

Yes, addicted, I am.

Sad to say, but I haven't seen anyone using a fountain pen in Trinidad for over 20 years. Cross fountain pens are available for purchase, though. Martinique actually has an official Montblanc dealer.

She will so love the Namiki VP that you will be tempted to "borrow" it from her. I have a solution to that problem though...order one in Raden for yourself. It's so gorgeous and such a pleasure to own, you won't be sorry! (Don't you just love the way I "solve" problems? ).

Welcome to FPN.