These just seem to get longer and longer

As we're closing in on about 10 days from departure one would presume that our itinerary has gathered moss it has been set in stone so long. One would be wrong. That's all right. Many people also think we landed on the moon and that the world is not controlled by the Freemasons. I guess these people have never seen Capricorn One or The Da Vinci Code and are no doubt all the better for it. I think I have digressed again.

So, no. The specifics are still being ironed out by our resident Magellan, Andy. Hence last night's phone convo about exactly when should we leave Paris. Of course, the snide American response would be immediately so the Germans can have it back.

I'm actually very much looking forward to spending as much time as we can there. Of course, I'd also like to spend more time out in the country proper seeing all the places I see on TV every year with the Tour de France and in all those movies that lack explosions and bore most. Sadly, this just ain't a months long trip. On the bright side, it has provided the realization that a longer, exclusively France trip simply must be scheduled. Preferably when I have a firmer grasp on the native language thereof and can therefore fire back the appropriate rude remark when necessary. And also scheduled around the above mentioned super duper bicycle race. This would be where the kids say, "Hint, hint". Or for the comedy geeks, Eric Idle gives the ol' "nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more." Targets of said hint/nudge know who they am.

Anyway...

Minor details such as a posh hotel for me to lay my head in Paris and arriving/departing the city are still influx. It now appears that we'll basically have all day Sunday in Paris to do whatever. Admittedly not that much time but we zoomed by most of the big names there 10 years ago on a literal 3 hour tour so in some regards we're retracing steps. One of the highlights of that particular excursion being stepping off our tour bus in front of the Eiffel Tower, standing there long enough to snap the picture that all tourists are legally required to and immediately getting back on the bus.

The other highpoint being there's a mall in the Louvre. I found this fact très amusant: the epitome of french culture would have something as déclassé and American on its premises. I did my part in buying a hamburger in its food court. Vive le France.

Aside from a couple of places MB said we MUST see, I think our day is pretty open just to roam. Andy will be more interested in the history and the bitchin' architecture; I'll probably try to find some record stores. I imagine dear old Dad will just wander aimlessly until he falls asleep in some cafe, is mistaken for a street urchin and hauled off to the Parisian pokey where he will be beaten somewhat painlessly and pointlessly with baguettes and forced to smell cheese for having a son who continues to spout cultural clichés even though he's far more cultured and erudite than that it would appear. Alas, erudition will never trump cheap jokes. Thankfully. Compare Mad Magazine readership/cultural relevance to that of The New Yorker. QED.

More digression.

We will leave Paris on Monday probably around lunch but possibly earlier. Or maybe later. But we will leave on Monday of this I am sure. I think. Thus giving us at least some portion of Monday in London to do the requisite stuff and the remaining 3 days to venture to various points of interest (to us but not to you, dear reader) around England's green and pleasant land.

Aside from the day trip to Paris, our previous trip was exclusively in the UK and longer to boot.
Actually, most of the must-sees have already been seen. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure this trip is necessary anymore. Maybe we should just stay home, look at pictures of that trip and watch BBC America on the telly. It would be way cheaper and oh, what memories we would then have...

Remember that time when we were looking at the picture of those sheep in Scotland and you got up to get a refreshing beverage? Or when we saw that episode of Newsnight and Jeremy Paxman asked that politician those hard-hitting questions?

Truly memories that would last a lifetime. Travel is overrated.

Plus, I can eat at McDonald's just as easy here as I can there.