8 Years in the Med?

[K_V_B]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

What I can't understand is how so many US fast-food franchises have become so universally popular. The sight of a MacBurger franchise, the thought that the rubes have mistaken this for food...Surely there's a compromise between franchised food and chocolate chile insects?!

I can tell you, before MacDonalds, Starbucks and co. came to London it was next to impossible to get something decent to eat and drink there...

[savoir]

Decency, like beauty, rests entirely in the eye (or stomach) of the beholder.

[K_V_B]

Originally Posted by savoir

Decency, like beauty, rests entirely in the eye (or stomach) of the beholder.

Indeed. I can imagine the the cardboard that I saw for sale under the monicker "hamburger" at street stands in London in the 80ies might have pleased some people. It did not please me however.
The same with coffee. I was completely flabbergasted when, upon ordering a coffee at a bar in Aberdeen the local bartender just grabbed a mug, dumped in some instant, and poured hot water over it.
The coffee was not in the least bit fit to drink.

I all in favor of sampling local cuisine. But you have to find it first, and sometimes all you need is a meal and a drink of predictable quality. And there the chains come in handy. Starbucks will never be the best coffee in town. It will however rarely be the worst either.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

In case you didn't know, the Brits didn't join the EU; they still use Pounds & Pence and they don't necessarily follow EU laws or rules.

In their dreams. They even signed all the treaties without ever putting anything to the people.

Dave

[savoir]

Seems like you went to a Wimpy for your burger. Yuk ! I don't like them either

[goboatingnow]

It's getting harder and harder to find a decent sit down chipper.


Dave

[Buena Vista]

I think some of you guys have become delirious waiting for the next cruising season.

From "8 Years in the Med" relating to the Schengen treaty, we have morphed through tax and sovereignty issues, Eurail passes, hamburgers in London in the 80's, instant coffee in a Scotish pub, the invasion of the British Isles, the mess that Vikings left everywhere and doormen in Brussles .... not bad.