Frog Blog

i have a love hate relationship with mcdonald's. of course i hate it, it's a corporate giant, a megacompany out to rule and destroy the world. i read "fast food nation" and am well aware of the amount of calories and fat i consume when i eat a cheeseburger. but here's the thing: i eat at mcd's when i'm traveling.

my least favorite thing of traveling alone is eating alone. most of the time it's not a big deal; breakfast is usually served at the hotel, lunch is a fun time to try a new creperie or get a fantastic salad and most lunch spots are used to lone eaters on a lunchbreak from work. but dinner is a whole different ball game. it's the time when friends and families and lovers get together to share thoughts, wine, stories about their days, etc. it's one of my favorite things to do at home: eat dinner with others.

here, though, eating dinner alone is a dismal thought. i know i just have to get over it; i know i should develop a supercool attitude and enjoy solitude while eating but i don't; the waiters never know where to seat me so i'm usually near the bathroom or the door to the kitchen, i eat fast, i stare at other tables with envy, etc. right, cue the pity violins, but really, i hate it.

but then there's mcdonald's. not only is it acceptable to eat alone at mcd's, it's almost welcomed-- in the sense that there are no questions asked, no raised eyebrows, no pity stares. it's absolutely no big deal at all and it's really cheap and hate to say it, it tastes really good sometimes. first of all, i think mcd's tastes better in europe; the food lacks that cardboard flavor like in the states and it's the ultimate comfort food and it fills you up.

yes, i can hear it now, girl you are in europe, why are you wasting your time and appetite on big macs when you could be enjoying some of the finest cuisine the world has to offer? to which i reply: sometimes, believe it or not, i get so sick of rich french food and too much dressing on the salad and no ice in my drink and escargot. sometimes that royale with cheese is just what my palate is craving.

i just had a cheeseburger and i am satiated. and a little bloated, but who cares.