Following the Sept. 11 attacks, news anchors, college freshmen and others have repeated the mantra, "everything has changed" -- often with vacant expressions befitting pod people or the folks at the airport who try to sell you tulips. In some cases, this phrase is true (U.S. foreign policy), in other cases it is mostly bull (national unity). But one thing showing repercussions is the decrease in Americans traveling abroad. The threat of being drafted into the choir immortal, a weak dollar, unfriendly demonstrations and the expense and the misery that is commercial airline travel have all combined to keep us home twiddling our thumbs. Or, rather, to keep you twiddling. Me, I'm in Strasbourg, on the French side of the Franco-German border. And while here, I'm gathering info on the European scene in order to help prepare you and other Americans to return to the continent. Thus, for this week, we'll start with a useful skill: blending in.