This blog post is a compilation of photos I took in Munich, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and then back in Munich in October of 2025. Some commentary is provided. MUNICH Getting ready for Oktoberfest in Munich. The weather is cool and rainy, but nothing is preventing me from wearing this outfit to Oktoberfest. Enjoying Oktoberfest, finally! Large pretzels, shared among friends. As the beer flows in the Oktoberfest tents and facilities, pretzel sales skyrocket. BERLIN Biking west of the Unter den...

Europe The driving age in Germany is 18, but you can drink beer at 16. In Germany, they learn to drink and then drive. In the USA, we learn to drive and then learn to drink. Many Germans will greet you with a “hallo” or “Guten Tag,” but rarely ask how you are doing. That’s too formal and typically done among friends and family. Americans are more friendly but superficial, and usually assume that “how are you?” means you’re just saying hello. Europeans may ask about your trip or travel, but...

You don't get a Peace Prize while turning the National Guard into a political weapon.  You don't get a Peace Prize by waging war on American cities. You don't get a Peace Prize by blowing up boats in the Caribbean. You don't get a Peace Prize by threatening Canada and Greenland with annexation. You don't get a Peace Prize by attacking Iran. You don't get a Peace Prize by having ICE harass US citizens in our city  streets. You don't get a Peace Prize by turning the National Guard into a...