I realized today that I was leaving Northern Europe behind for good
and entering the "Mediterranean" portion of my trip - France, Spain, and Italy.

As the train crossed the border to France I found myself thinking,
"Wow! I am in France! I have never been in France! Holy crap I am in
France!"

I thought I had avoided the American stereotype of being all
googly-eyed about France . . the country of Food, Wine, and Love, but
I was wrong.

As we came over the green rolling hills, I got as giddy as I did when
I landed in London - hoping for an amazing second half of the trip.