Journal of an Innocent Abroad
Brief Excerpts

"Still an undergraduate, I took one thousand dollars in the late winter of 1964-65 and put it to purchasing an airline ticket on Loftleiđir – Icelandic Airlines – for an open round trip from New York to Luxembourg, which is where Loftleiđir flew one for $319; a three-month Eurailpass, permitting unlimited first-class rail travel for $205; and $500 in American Express Traveler’s Checks. $500 for 3˝ months? Yes!...

"I don’t know what power on earth is going to get me out of Florence now that I’m here. Just as Rome is a 'living Roman ruin,' Florence is a 'living Renaissance.' It’s a small city with most of the 'sights' in one area... I have a large room with a small terrace for $1.60 (the cheapest so far) which, it turns out from an evening walk, is one block from the Palazzo Vecchio and 1˝ blocks from the Uffizi Gallery! Again I must converse with my landlord in French.

"Amsterdam's huge 'red light' district is one of the most fascinating sights I've seen – and I still find it difficult to believe. To top it all, the area is clearly indicated by a red neon-lighted cross high atop a church (and by the Salvation Army HQ at the main entrance street). Tonight, right at the center of it all I came across a Salvation Army revival meeting, complete with band, prayers, song, and sermon. The contrast was utterly ludicrous; something not to be missed by any tourist."