it's kinda like Seattle...

The Royal Crescent, THE la-di-da address in Bath UK.  

So what's it like hanging out in Bath?  Kinda like going to Seattle.  You recognize Nordstrom's, Appleby's, KFC, people walking around in sweats, Fred Meyer and Starbucks.  But, it has a different feel than Portland - its more cosmopolitan.  Same goes for this neck of the woods - a lot of stuff is very familiar PLUS everybody speaks your language (mostly).  Need directions to the nearest WC (that's Water Closet - the place you go pee-pee), just ask.  Want your steak medium rare, with a side of horseradish, just ask.  It Italy or France, it would take me 5 min to figure out the word for horseradish (if they even have it), then attempt to conjugate a sentence to ask for it. Then try to understand the answer.  Here it's no problem.

Now, on the other hand, the sense of awe and amazement that I find in the act of traveling on the continent is intoxicating.  Plus they have better food and wine.  The food is ok here.  Good.  But lots of fried food, in big portions.  Just like in Portland, people i see on the streets seem to be carrying an extra 20#, myself included.

So, this morning, we are relaxing a bit before THE BIG EVENT.  Renting a car (insert freaked out emoticon here).  Sister Rosanne wants to be added as a driver which is not a bad idea.  We'll do that if it's not too expensive.  

So, if this my last missive, well.... it's been fun.