Greetings friends,

I am currently sitting in my cubicle at work. All geared up in camouflauge, clean-shaven, and sporting a Marine high and tight. Yes, I know I must look ridiculous. I seriously enjoyed the vagabond lifestyle and wished it was longer. However, I am not sad to be back either. I am all for free bathrooms, big portions, and refills. I love America. Why else would I join the Armed Forces?

Looking back at my month in Europe, I can think of terrific times with interesting characters, long train rides and people who don't know what deodarant is, scaling the high peaks of the Austrian and Swiss Alps, ice climbing in Interlaken, conversing in German to a nice old lady at a train stop in a small, quaint town in Switzerland, and much much more.

Because it really isn't about the pictures, they do not make the trips, it's the memories. That is the most important thing to me. You can steal my camera. Smash my souvenirs. Even break my David Hasselhof record.

But I'll be fine. Because I will always remember my adventures throughout Europe in the great month of June in this the year of our lord 2005.

Thanks for staying tuned ladies and gents,

James Michael DiBenedetto