It was also a good central spot everyone knew and everyone could get too. N00bs wouldn't wander far from it (you certainly never found them out in the wilderness) so you could always rest assured of running into someone there.
I also miss the friendliness of people you run into. Once upon a time if you ran into someone, it was cordial meetings and pleasant greetings. These days, they either start running away... or they don't speak English so they have no idea what you're talking about.
