Introducing Robert Thompson (Beef Farmer)

I've got a bunch of stuff from the trip that I still want to get up here, and I'm getting close to having all my pictures loaded up, but as I said, it's the odd little things that I like to post about "in-the-moment" whenever possible.

I opted for a cheap indulgence for lunch this afternoon on my way to the store: McDonald's. Fyi, it's not all that 'cheap': €6, (about $8.15!) for a Big Mac meal, and that's not even Biggie Sized.

But anyways, I found the paper insert in the tray mildly amusing, so I folded it up and brought it back with me. It has a picture of a guy standing out in a field among his cows against a typically dreary light-grey Irish sky. Certainly not a photo that they put a lot of creative direction into. Next to the photo is the following text:

INTRODUCING
ROBERT THOMPSON
(Beef Farmer)

Hi I'm Robert. I am a third generation beef farmer from County Laois where my family has been farming for over 120 years.

My Father and Grandfather farmed the same land as I do today. I am one of many farmers across Ireland that supply McDonalds with the 100% pure Irish beef that goes into their hamburgers.

I have 80 cattle and they spend most of the season out in the fields grazing. I am delighted that McDonald's use my cattle for their burgers.

Not sure why, but I just found that amusing. Again, as Vincent Vega said, its "the little differences".

Along similar lines, here's a couple other quick, odd thoughts from the grocery store:

• I'm officially succombing to European culture: I bought a jar of Nutella. (Chocolate hazelnut spread... It's kind of the closest thing they have to peanut butter over here.)
• Rather than having an item limit for the express lanes, they have "sweet free" lanes. An incentive to try and get people to eat healthier, I suppose. I wondered if Nutella counted as a sweet.
• Most of the stuff in the stores is pretty much the same as you'll find here, though some brands differ. But one thing that seems popular that I've never seen back home are pre-made pancakes. Yup, just walk in, pick up a plastic-wrapped package of 4, 6 or 8 pancakes, heat them up in the microwave or on the stove and you've got yourself a breakfast!
• They appear to have a full line of Old El Paso products. I think a Cinco De Mayo feast may be in order this weekend.