Just got in from another whirlwind trip to the UK and the south of France! What a wonderful trip! Weather was great, got to see a lot of beauty and hear a lot of bashing. Sigh. It was well worth putting up with, I assure you.

While in the UK I managed to meet everyone in Kent who's ever had a gripe with America or Americans. The double standard of being not-so-secretly lustful over the good ol' U.S. of A. while loathing it is ever present and just as astonishing as say, the success of High School Musical. Many of the people with whom I interacted quietly believe that we all drive pick up trucks, hunt game, wear cowboy hats/boots (I do have a pair of Tony Lamas with which I refuse to part) or that we don't have varied cuisines, a clue about art, or even an idea of our current sh*t state of affairs. At several points, I wanted to inform my hosts that no one consulted me for such things as: roundabouts, car manufacturers, McDonald's, bread, cheese, public transportation, and the term "bathroom." I don't know why we don't have more roundabouts in traffic, but I assure you, if someone had asked me, I may have voted for such. I know Bush is an a$$ and that we have a nasty habit of poking our nose where it absolutely does not belong. And I am not responsible for "cheese food product" anymore than I am for the "rest" in restroom or the "bath" in bathroom. Enough...on with France!

I rather enjoyed trying to remember the french I'd learned in school. I went to market in St. Tropez and muddled through a few transactions(!) I had a chance to sit on the beach for a little while, though the water was entirely too cold for swimming, it was still quite warm in the sun on the plage. The food really was amazing - rich and savory. I did find, however, I longed for the typical American-sized vat of coffee, but was content knowing the cafe I just downed was bona-fide French! I would have ordered another 2 to get my fill, but St. Tropez has tourist prices that can bring tears to your eyes.

Not so glad to be back, I must say, but oh well. Perhaps, pending the outcome of the election, I'll return to the UK or France to stay!

Cheers!