Ooh la la

My trip is getting closer -- two glorious weeks in London and Paris! Ooh la la! I just looked at pictures from my February trip to Paris and I am completely excited to go. The sky was so blue and I look so happy in the pictures. I've been to London numerous times but this will only be my second trip to Paris (ok, it's my second trip in 6 months). To start the trip, my cousin and I are meeting in New York City (so we can fly together) and we have two nights and an entire day there....

I like going overseas for several reasons. First, the language differences fascinate me. Even in England, where they supposedly speak the same language. The accents are fantastic and the supermarkets are thrilling to wander. I love to see things like 'nappies' (can you tell I had a baby the first time I went?) and 'salad cream' as well as different types of potato crisps (instead of chips) like prawn flavored ones. Or beef and onion flavored ones. Second, the political astuteness of the regular Joe is astounding. It's much different than in the United States, and quite refreshing. Even if my opinion is different than, say my French tour guide, the fact that I can have a reasonable discussion with him is remarkable. Third, I need to be reminded that there is a world outside of my little neighborhood, and there are sights to see and people to meet. And different opinions to hear.

So. New York City. London. Paris. I'm happy just typing the names of those cities. We've decided to spend the most time (barely, just by a day) in Paris because it's the newest place for us. We've rented apartments in London and Paris (with air conditioning, we are American, after all) so we have a tiny kitchen in both cities. And I'm ready! Let's get this show on the road, shall we?