Vienna-Budapest-Venice-Rome-Pompeii

Our first bigger trip around Europe was sparked by a visit from friends from America. Driving through several countries in a couple of days, the language and culture changing, a different currency for every state, simply unheard-of stuff :)

Just like Kuzma and I drove across America, Jeff wanted to drive across Europe too. He didn't have 3 months for it like we did, so we planned a shortened route down south:)

Looking back at it today, one thing was interesting. Back then we weren't even in the EU, let alone in Schengen. In Europe we were seen as that bunch of poor crooks from the backward East. I ran little tests on the customs officers. There were three of us in the car, two Americans (Jeff and his sister Jerylin) and one Czech. Whenever I put the Czech passport on top, it meant turn off the engine, a detailed inspection of the documents, open the boot, standoffish behaviour.
Whenever I put the American passport on top, it meant a smile, a slight bow and a condescending wave to drive through without any check at all. 

In 2006 we did practically the same trip with the same crew, only Jeff swapped his sister for his lover Mistry. It was beautiful to see how in exactly those ten years the Americans had lost popularity and credit, the situation was EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE! Whenever I put the Czech passport on top, a smile and a wave to drive on. The American passport was a clear signal for a search and hostile looks. The Yanks can give Bush and his foreign policy a nice thank-you...