for amber waves of bran

One of the greatest things about traveling is the food. Baguettes in France, tapas in Spain, more pastries in France. After a while though, you find yourself craving some American classics. For about a week in Spain and France we got free breakfast in our hostels. Considering our extreme budget, it was a cause for celebration. Barcelona had the largest by far. Three different types of cereal (with non-refrigerated milk), toast, packaged muffins, fruit, and quik packets to go with your room temperature milk. None of this food was amazing quality, but it didn't stop me from thinking about it all day. The second night we were there Jon and I actually planned out what we would eat the next morning. I was going to start with a bowl of cocoa crispies, then frosted flakes, followed by a second bowl of each, topped off with 2 pieces of toast and a glass of cheap orange juice and quik. I lost sleep from the anticipation. Jam packets would be stuffed into our pockets to make PBJ's. The next morning we would get up at 8, push past the still-drunk English kids singing drinking songs, and stuff our faces with white bread and various sugared cereals served from a plastic bin with a ladle. Massive breakfasts were a theme of the trip, starting at hotel McKinnon where Jan served us New York bagels, fruit and yogurt.

Cold milk was the holy grail of all breakfast food. In London, the first night we were there we went to a small grocery store and bought a pint and a box of Kellogg's Bran Flakes. My mouth was watering as soon as I locked eyes with that blue box. Those who know me well know of my love of all things fiber filled. Sugary cereals are "dessert cereals" in our home--breakfast is devoted to grape nuts, wheat chex and kashi mini wheats. As we went back to our hotel room and filled ceramic yogurt cups with cold milk and fiber laden flakes, my hands were visibly shaking. I could not believe how good those things tasted. As cup after cup passed my lips I eventually sat in some state of bran nirvana. When we finally came home one of the first things I did was open the fridge and drank straight from the gallon. (sorry mom.)