McDonalds???

Yep, I'm just gonna admit it.  I ate at McDonald's...in France...more than once.  I'm sure you're wondering why.  (I would be if I were you.)  Well, there's a few reasons.

1)  Time of day:  If you should conclude your sightseeing of the day at 2:00 or 4:00 and haven't yet had lunch (as we did several times) you are out of luck.  Evidently there are rules to eating in France that I didn't research well enough.  Lunch is served from 12:00 to 2:00 and dinner from 7:00 to 10:30 (approximately).  In between these times many restaurants are closed, or....they're bustling.  We would see a restaurant crowded with people and in our stupid American minds, we would think, "Oh, look they're serving food!  And it's crowded so it must be a good place!"  Not so....it means they're serving drinks between meals.  A restaurant is crowded during this drinking time, then it's time for food and everyone leaves.  The wait staff rushes out to cover the bare tables with table settings and gradually the place starts to fill again.  It is actually quite comical to watch the full...empty...few people...full again phenomenon.  And then there's the problem of "complet".  If a restaurant decides they've had enough people for that serving, they put up a sign, "complet" (which means full) and they won't serve anyone else, even if many tables are vacant.
But what's always open?  McDonald's!

2)  Expense:  We have eaten sooo well at many places.  Sometimes my appetite just can't handle another three or four (or more) course dinner.  So why pay for a wonderful meal that you aren't going to be able to eat without feeling uncomfortably full?
Where can we get a small meal?  McDonald's!

3)  Time:  I can't believe the amount of time the French spend when eating out.  (Of course, they think we're crazy for speed-eating....and we are crazy!)  You'd better allow 1 1/2 to 2 hours for lunch and 2 to 3 hours for dinner.  With 5 hours spent eating, how will one ever see the sights?
Need a quick lunch?  McDonalds!

Well, there you have it.  My confession.  I ate at McDonald's..in France...more than once.  But at least the fries were French!!


Answer to yesterday's question of the day:  My favorite traveling aid is Band Aids!  When I'm walking a lot...up and down hills and stairs...I always develop blisters.  So Band Aids are my best friend.