For those wondering, I just made it back to the US. Lack of consistent internet access kept me from updating the blog in the past several weeks, though I continued to have an amazing time. This experience has been (though it is cliche to say) life-altering. Learning to live on the road and out of a bag for 40+ days has at various times been exhilarating, intense, frustrating, eye-opening, and rewarding. The things I have done, the people I have met, and the places I have seen have all provided me with a lifetime full of memories. I took over 2,000 pictures on this trip, and while they can provide an idea of what I saw, looking back on them makes me realize how little justice they give to actually being there in the moment. I look forward to sharing my memories, pictures, and stories (well, those appropriate for the crowd) with my family and friends. In the meantime, here are some tidbits from my trip...

By the Numbers:

Thousands of dollars spent
Hundreds of memories made
Dozens of people befriended

7 Countries visited (UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands)

13,537 total miles traveled
8534 by plane
3657 by train
932 by car
469 by bus
45 by bike

Highest elevation (on land) reached: 2,560 feet above sea level
Lowest: 0 feet

Weight of bag carried: 62.3 pounds
Number of times back pulled out carrying the damn thing up and down stairs: 1

Airport security line suffered through: 6
Number of times subjected to a "pat-down": 2

Number of deportation arrests witnessed: 1

Nice immigration/customs agents: 5
Douchebags keeping the stereotypes alive: 2

Average size of hostel rooms: 4 bunks (8 people)
Largest room: 8 bunks (16 people)

Number of times Michael used the word "quaint": Whatever infinity minus 1 is

Lessons Learned:

• As anyone in France can tell you, Champagne is only good as an apertif, and salad should always come after the main course
• In Spain and France, you can drink fine wine more cheaply than you can water or Coke
• At McDonald's in Ireland, tacos are a popular menu item. In Spain, you can get a beer with your Big Mac. In Italy, I had a better cappuccino at McDonald's than I can get at most coffeehouses in the US.
• You can subsist on 3-4 gelato a day. Trust me.
• Lugging around a 60lb back sucks. On my next trip, I'm fitting everything into a carry-on bag. Even if it means wearing the same 2 outfits in every picture.
• Before you make a day-trip to a city on a whim, at least make sure the places you want to visit will be open first.