MBSLynne - rereading this thread - I realized I had missed your comment about giving our son the gift of travel. It is so funny -- he calls us every few days to report in.....last check in was from Amsterdam at 1.00 am their time and 8 pm our time - we were sitting on the back deck with our older girl and her boyfriend when he called -- he was absolutely stoned and you know -- at 18 in a country where dope and drinking are legal -- that is fine with me......I think he is too well grounded to sink into addiction nor do I believe that marijuana leads automatically to serious drugs (come on, guys -- didn't we all get high whether via MJ or alcohol when we were that age???). He has learnt it would be useful if he could speak a little Spanish or French, he has learned that other places treat late teenagers like adults -- he has learnt that if he leaves his Eurorail pass in the Youth Hostel three miles away, and gets to the station without he that HE -- only him -- has to go back and get it - toting a heavy back pack all the way...........the young man is growing up and we hear it in his voice in every phone call home.....he paid $3.5 (the equivalent) for a coke -- I think that is one hell of a lesson!!!!