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Interactive map of my six-week Summer 2008 trip across Europe.

1 Boat Cruise
2 International Conferences
4 Bus Rides
4 Couchsurfing Experiences
5 Hostel Stays
5 Plane Flights
7 Countries
8 States
10 Rail Rides
11 New Facebook Friends
40+ Panoramas
40+ Video Shorts
2000+ Photographs

Dozens of underground trains, trams, new acquaintances, and gallons of gorgeous gelato later…. it all comes down to this one huge, uh, zucchini…

Donny and Susie Abraczinskas: Proud and happy zucchini parents.

…. a few extra days with the generous zuke growing friends, and then it was the long ride on a spectacular Thursday for 12 hours through the Appalachian Mountains back to my bungalow/family in South Carolina.

Cross the streets here at your own risk.

Well just three days left with one more in Rome and then I head for Pescara for my flight back to the UK. It’s been overwhelming at times, a sea of extremes. If we bypass the pope and everything he stands for there is still a lot of spiritual heritage to this city. Paul came here at the risk of his life, and lost it here. Early Christians were the media stars fed to lions for mass entertainment here. The blood of the saints is in the soil for all time here, many of them put to death by papal decrees as the popes rose to power. I’m not a fan of popes, obviously, and he won’t be getting a visit this time around, no matter how rich the vatican area. It’s Rome in a day. Then I’m on my way.

Mmmmm… grapes for lunch in the Florentine heat of the day.

My last night perhaps in Florence. The heat has been off the charts, so I think… dizzying…. I’ve been lying low, indoors though have taken some photographs in the past day, might take some more if it cools down tonight.

This is a pretty city. Unfortunately, full of spoiled, pissy American girls in black dresses trying to be adults and drunk American boys yelling unintelligibly in the streets. I have to admit, being an American can be embarrassing when abroad, sad to say. Hearing people speak in English is actually annoying. No wonder they hate us. Though Giani, the concierge at this hotel, says American tourism is down because of the dollar. I guess money overrides even pissy attitudes. (more…)