Greetings from the land of mandatory enjoyment.

First let me say that I am enjoying myself on this, my free vacation.  (I was invited by a friend.  It’s a long story.) But, on the other hand, being on an organized tour is a little like being dragged through fun, face down, while fun tears and your clothes and gnaws at your eyes.

I had to be at the breakfast buffet at 7am, to be on the bus by 8.  Then I sat in my assigned seat (which will rotate three spaces every day), was shushed by the tour guide, pushed off the bus for scenic views (which actually were pretty spectacular), pushed back onto the bus, pushed off again for exactly an hour (during which I sprinted through public gardens and some fort to try to suck the marrow out of Canada, Eh), shuffled off to lunch, and finally I walked uround outside until I was forced back to the hotel.  After blogging I plan to collapse in a heap of Exhausted American Tourist (TM).  Because I have to be ready for the bus by 7am tomorrow. 

This vacation is eerily reminiscent of training for the Boston Marathon; everyone around me moves more quickly and seems to have a much better idea of what is going on.