1. Contrary to what you might believe, the media in Europe is not overly concerned with what is going on in the US.

2. The food in Spain was wonderful. The best we had out of all three countries.

3. The wine in Italy was cheap, plentiful and very, very good.

4. France was a disappointment. Maybe expectations were too high.

5. The crowds in Italy were not to be believed. The Italians are very accepting of boorish Americans though. Remarkably so.

6. It is very sad to see large numbers of Africans (men primarily) in the streets of the cities of these countries begging or selling junk. Why wi always salt soh ?

7. Bob's face was everywhere. Can't get him out of the race.

8. Passenger screening out of Germany was the most severe I have ever come across. You get 'feel up' right there in front of everybody. No booth or anything. Everything down to your wallet gets scanned. At least three times.

9. I forgot how common severe obesity is, or how used we are to it, until I came back and was struck by how many seriously overweight people are around. Given how well Europeans eat, especially high fat, high carb foods you really have to wonder what's going on this side of the Atlantic.

10. One of the most popular cars in Europe now is the Mercedes "Smart Car". Smaller than a Mini, 700 cc engine, 60 horsepower and gets 60-70 miles per gallon. It looks like the future to me.Until oil reserves are exhausted anyway.

Will try and catch up on the goings on here and elsewhere over the next couple of days. Good to be back. Hope the S. Florida crew are OK.