Place: London, UK
Date: 14 October 2009 (Day 1)
I am not usually a supporter of McDonald’s.
It is therefore ironic that I have spent an unusually large amount of time in McDonald’s over the last 3 days. It is even more ironic is that I am busy reading a book called “Waistland” which talks about how we evolved to crave fats, sugars and salt because they were once scarce; which fast food outlets obviously exploit.
Our Africa overland trip has been delayed due to a string of unfortunate events. Gwyn and Shaun, my fellow travellers; were putting the finishing touches on the mode of transport, a 1989 Toyota LandCruiser at Gwyn’s family home in Wales, while I waited for them in London to set off on the trip. The LandCruiser then refused to start. And once it did, a wheel promptly fell off. Such is life.
Hence, my extended stay at McDonald’s, as this is the nearest wireless internet access for me to do some organising. It also produced some interesting people watching moments and strongly tested my evolutionarily ingrained Big Mac cravings.
Today, however, all is repaired and we will drive off to Dover to take the ferry into Calais, France, on our way to Africa and eventually back home to South Africa.
Bon voyage McDonald’s.
