Back in MY country

After 25 straight days of traveling throughout Europe in eight different countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Romania, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and Denmark) (ok I only put my foot in Hungary, went to the airport in Denmark, and passed through Austria) I am so glad to be at the SeaTac Airport. I left Vienna this morning at 1145 and it is now 650 pm on Sunday.

I missed english, soda with ice in it, magazines in english, the Anchorage Daily News, other channels other than CNN and BBC, my bed, my kids, my wife, and driving.

I haven't been able to upload all my video or pictures, but will work on it this week. I will add some more thoughts on what my key learnings are and I need to come up with a strategy to share everything that I experienced.

Highlights off the top of my head include the NATO headquarters, the EU parliament, home dinners with hosts in Brussels, Hamburg, Rome, and Bucharest; the Vatican, meeting the the whole time in Hamburg, Bratislavan hospitality, seeing the Airbus 380 under serious cloak and dagger security, being shuttled all over like diplomats, and the beautiful weather that followed us everywhere.

I meet with key oil and gas officials (public and private) in Brussels, Rome, Bucharest, and Bratislava. I meet with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia (swanky lunch!!); a swanky lunch with ENI in Rome (five courses); the second in command foreign affairs officer for the EU; and a whole lot of politicians.

I'm glad to be home. For the first time in my life, I have learned what it means to be American when traveling with fifteen amazing leaders and representing our country.