Reflections on my European Vacation

This is my last day here. We're leaving tomorrow at 5am. It seems like it all went so fast, but I am excited to get home. I figured I would use my last post to reflect on some of my observations on this trip.

1) Europe is a very beautiful place. The buildings are old and beautiful. The countryside is green and beautiful. The plainest buildings here and still more beautiful than the most elaborate buildings in the U.S. 

2) America is seriously lacking in terms of public transportation. You can take the train anywhere here, and for very reasonable prices.

3) The train is not the most comfortable place to sleep.

4) Most younger Europeans speak some English. This 

is not because it has been forced on them by traveling A

mericans (as some Americans told me). It is 

because a person in Austria does not want to learn Czech, French, Spanish, Swedish, Finnish, Dutch, Italian, etc. English has become the "common" language, for whatever reason, for the ease of communication amongst those in the European community.

5) A clean and stocked bathroom is an amenity I will no longer take for granted. 

6) A McDonalds hamburger tastes the same in Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, and 

d America. In CZ, there are shrimp burgers and beer. In Italy, the cashiers are mean. In Austria, they serve Tiramisu as well as a McGreece, McItaly, and a McFrance burger (to cel

ebrate the upcoming soccer tournament being held there this year). And it is true that the Quarter Pounder is called the Burger Royal, because they don't use pounds. 

7) I cannot drink and travel. 

8) Good Ital

ian food is good. Very very good. 

9) Absinthe will not make you hallucinate. Or inspire you to create great works of ar

t. It will make you throw up.

10) Traveling should be an experience that you learn from. You should try to learn about other cultures from the people you meet while you travel. You should try to adjust to their customs while in their country, be polite, and mind your manners. Have fun. Do not be embarrassed that you do not know everything about the customs. Do not be embarrassed that you cannot pronounce some words. Do not be embarrassed that you are American. Do not feel superior that you are American. You do not have to see every historical point of reference on your tourist's map. Relax, and enjoy yourself. Because soon enough it will all be over and you will have to return home and pay bills and catch up on business and go back to work.

I will see everyone soon.