January 30, 1998

HERE IN GERMANY WITH NOTHING TO EAT

It's like the 3rd day of the tour and I've been awake since about 4:30 AM due to the effects of Jetlag. Our bus is parked just outside the club that we are to play at the following night. I'm sooooooo hungry that I'm actually contemplating breaking into one of those little German bakeries and attempting to bake something for myself! I wait and wait and wait and wait while the only thing keeping me awake at this point is the ever so loud noise of my growling empty stomach. NOTHING is open. And to make matters even worse, it's Sunday so everything will either remain closed or open later than usual. So I come to the conclusion that I may well die before the sun comes up and eventually fall back asleep. I wake up a few hours later and everyone else is still sound asleep, unaware that I'm dying of malnourishment. But, the sun is up and there appears to people walking around on the streets. So I wrap myself thick with jackets and sweaters to avoid being consumed by the bitter German cold, and set off for food. I walked for a little while and still nothing was open except weird places that served stuff that I was too scared to eat. Then, I turned the corner and low and behold, there it was, shining like the fire of ten thousand stars. MCDONALDS!!!!!!!!!! French fries and milkshakes and other crap that I still won't eat, but at least It's McDonalds! Under normal circumstances, I won't eat anything from there but this was different. I can honestly say that I've never in all my life been so happy to see a McDonalds. Those beautiful golden arches! It was a little hard for the German girl behind the counter (who was rather attractive, I might add) to understand that I wanted a Cheeseburger without the burger. In other words, grilled cheese. But communication was made and everything worked out just fine. I must say that It was the finest McDonalds grilled cheese, milkshake and fries I've ever experienced. They definitely know how to deal with us idiotic Americans over in Europe. I can't wait to go back!!!

-Mike

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