I'm baaack!!!!

Yes, girls and boys, I'm back from Europe!

I won't go into all the details, but here are my short thoughts and impressions on Europe:

• Travel light! My Studmuffin and I took Rick Steves "convertable" bags--which are large backpacks that are just small enough to be carry-on luggage. I may never check luggage again! Really, you don't need that many clothes.
• Norway is the perfect place to visit: It's spectacularly beautiful, it's clean, it's safe, the people are friendly and EVERYONE speaks fluent English. The only problem is that it's BY FAR the most expensive place on the planet. $30 for a hamburger?????
• Germany is cool, but there is still a clear difference between East and West. However, the beer is cheaper than water....
• Rome, Rome, Rome. I love Rome! But I will NEVER go back to Rome in October. We stood in line for an hour and a half to get into the Vatican Museum! And then we were carried through on a tsunami of tour groups! Our next trip to Rome will be during some February! My one tip, though: Get the Roma Pass...it will save you probably 2 hours at the Colliseum alone!
• Greece: All the cool ancient Greek stuff is in Rome. True. But, they do have very well-fed and friendly stray cats.