That is indeed a great story. I definitely don't think as many Europeans hate us as many Americans think. I've always had great experiences there.

My parents took a trip to Italy for several weeks. They visited mostly small hill towns and villages, and as they walked down the street these very old women would come up to them to give their sympathies about September 11, as if it happened to their country.

My last visit to Europe was almost four years ago. The English, Spanish and Italians were very nice and accomodating. I cannot say anything good about our experiences with the French. I'm sorry, it is not stereotyping if you experience it first-hand. I've heard that outside Paris they are nice. We only went to Paris and some train stations in France. I had a very bad experience with a French policewoman

Anyway, I love the Italians. They are some of the nicest people I've met, and I didn't even speak a word of their language.