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Dear Friends,

I cannot begin to tell you how good it is to be back. Almost 40 days of traveling that took me back to the States to New York and Massachusetts, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Six major European cities (Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague) that are full of so much history and architecture that if I started now I would end up with a book at the end of it. I took 550 pictures, and wound up with the ONLY pictures from some places because Jacque and Nicole (through two unforeseeable tragedies) lost all of their pictures up until Vienna. I am, quite understandably, very tired from all of my travels. The experience was priceless and a once in a lifetime experience, but it was very hard. I missed my family and friends and the comforts of home, as I still miss all of you tremendously (especially the ones of you who care enough to check this blog). I will unfortunately not be recounting my experiences to you right now, because I need time for it all to soak in. You will hear about my many adventures and misadventures as time goes on and I am able to reestablish my close relationships with all of you who the nature of this year has distanced me from. I have never had so much time to my thoughts in my life as I have had on this trip, even on Outward Bound. I have grown so much by being tossed by the ebb and flow of life's waves. There were moments of giddy delight (the Hofbrauhaus in Munich), and times of great sorrow and contemplation, but I will definately never forget the 5 weeks that I spent on the move away from all familiarity and most comfort. I will keep updating this blog as time goes on, but know that I miss and love you all, and hope that you think of me fondly as well.

Cody

P.S. The picture is in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin