London to start

The huge and expensive seat of the British Empire, that once-ravenous and now somewhat subdued beast. A city of over 8 million people, now more than ever diverse in its faces and languages, which in this modern age provokes racial tension and violence -- but for all that conflict also supplies another world metropolis with restaurant kitchens churning out dishes infused with exotic tastes ripened under a distant mid-day sun.

Our uber-brief 2-day visit enjoyed peace and typical London weather that I dare anyone to find enjoyable - the chilling wind crawling under layers of damp clothing and hurling drizzle into our faces.

Rich's sister Catharine made it a fab trip anyway, playing a most gracious hostess by giving up her bed, taking us out to a vaulted-ceiling French cafe and entrusting us with her mobile phone. We briefly looked into the Tate Modern, the British Museum and the Nottinghill Market and cooked up a dinner for the three of us, her Spanish roomie and our Canadian friend Natalie who's been happily living in London for a few years with her Scottish hubbie Owen.