Hi Ben,
I just heard you are a lot closer to Germany than usual, you know there is always an open door for you here. David also would love to see in JENA.
Herbert, Julian and I will be in Athenes late August - are you there at the same time?
Helga

Ebay - up to $188.27!!!! I'm not getting my garden planted though!!

Hi again Benner!
I must admit that I am probably your biggest "journal addict". Your postcards are just great! I am also curious about the hostels - never having seen one - I'm wondering what they are like? I suppose each one is unique? Also wondering, like Laurie - if you'll be able to post any pictures here? Free internet and two postings in one day - very cool! You're up to $130.22 on ebay! That's fun to watch too. Off to the garden - have a great day!

Hi, Ben! Congratulations on getting to France! Hope a few French words surface in your mind from your high school years! I meant to ask that you try to get someone else to take photos of you occasionally as you continue your adventure. I'm not quite clear from your lastest entry if you went through the Chunnel on one of your hitches? And if so, how was that?
Maybe you'll cross paths with the Tour de France which starts today; Lance Armstrong is going for an unprecedented 6th win this year.
Have a great Fourth of July weekend!
Love you loads,
Laurie

Hi Benny!!

I am wondering where you'll be when you read this! Did you make it to France? Hope you find a spot to log on - I will worry a little!! Glad you've gotten to meet friendly people and a chance to chat with other travelers. I'm sure that is reassuring. Your decision to leave London right away was no doubt based partly on the high expense of - well - everything! Hopefully when you get back there at the end you'll have some cash left and can do some more stuff. In the meantime I hope you have fun in France . . . I can give you no more advice (aren't you grateful?!) because I've never been. You're up to $112.22 on your ebay stuff! Looking forward to the three day weekend here. Will plant the garden you dug me - it's supposed to be beautiful weather. Will also figure out a schedule to take Meg to look at colleges - one weekend in July to PA and another in August to DC and Virginia - maybe NC. Love you . . . The Mom

Mornin' Ben!
I second your Mom's endorsement of Tower of London - it is very cool. Great view of the cityu from St. Paul's up top - Helga and I did that. It's also the emotional center for Londoners because during the bombardment in WW II it remained when everything around it was destroyed.
Wonder what you'll be doing on the Fourth? I love this holiday!
This site is a fantastic idea and so much fun it interrupts my work while I check for Messages and your next postcard!
Adventure on....
Love,
Laurie

Ok . . . dumb question . . . are the pictures ones you've taken or canned offerings from the website? If you took em . . . where did you find all the "beefeaters"? My two cents . . . do a bus tour of the city . . . and I loved the Tower of London! I've been telling everyone about you and your trip - and this site. So you may get messages from random folks who think it's great!! Nice girl at work is our travel agent - she tracked your flight for me - the nervous mom - I knew right when you landed!! Her name is Kourtney. Also, Janet Rippel wanted the address - (you know - the friend at work who was in Hawaii and came to our wedding on the beach!) By the way, the man Diana was dating and died in the car with her was Dodi Al Fayad . . . his father owns Harrods one of the most famous department stores int he world - which is supposed to be "the" place where the rich shop in London!

Hi Ben,
How exciting to read your postcard--very neat. Wow, what a wonderful trip you are having and lots more ahead. This postcard is a great idea.

Have a great time. Can't wait to read your next postcard.

You looked smashing at the wedding!

Love, Susan

Dude! After reading the first long entry, which chronicles your circumnavigation of NYC and various encounters with trains and B-List actresses and such, I've determined that you would benefit greatly from a female traveling companion. It may not happen in London (the British are so very uptight about themselves and you don't need a nag along for the ride whining about this and that, guinness and knickers blah blah), but Italy...ah Italy. Benjamin...listen up, brother. Somewhere in Italy your Desdemona awaits. She is approximately 5' 7" tall with big brown olive eyes, grape stompin skin, and a body that is far more sumptuous than any topographical map you've read. She happens to be free for the summer and she wants nothing more than to shepherd you through her Europe...Desdemona's Europe. She is an incredible millionaire whose father's brother owns several waste management companies in the USA, and she drives a custom painted pink Ferrari Dino. Now, you may choose to ignora Mona (that's what she prefers you call her during the day....at night, its Desdemona), its definitely a tough decision, but I'm sure when the time comes you'll make the right call. Your mother has read this post and she concurs I think (plus, she likes grapes). Barb and I were glad you and Eggster came to the wedding and we are thinking of you over there...remember, in the words of the late Daniel Eldon, "the journey is the adventure." Have fun and be careful of Mona's uncle Vito...he's the family's "recruiter."

Sent you an email to the regular address - but this does look like more fun. Glad to hear you have a hostel tonight. Thinking about you and wondering what you're doing and seeing. The adventure has begun!! Hey, you have bids on 3 of your items - 2 of them appear to be popular - 5 bids each! I bet that pack is heavy the first couple of days until you get accustomed to it.

BE CAREFUL and make syue you email me

Yeh i know tube......ok yeh so i am on my own......eeeek.....but to everyone's relief i already booked a hostel so i do have a room over my head for tonight......how exciting........ok must jet and start this journey....ben