Hi from Paris

1st September

Hi family and friends

We are now in Paris.  We spent the last night of our boat tour in Amsterdam.  The tour leader asked if anyone would like to go to the Red Light District after dinner.  Well, would you believe it but 80 wanted to go.  He had not had so many people going on any tour on the whole two weeks.  They walked for 15 mins to get to the area but Trevor and I along with our 6 'new'  friends and caught a taxi and went on our own.  It was something to see.  Sex shops everywhere and sleazy guys, a lot smoking dope.  We were all walking in a tight group with 100's of others.  We walked along the river and across a bridge and along the other side of the river.  Girls were wiggling their busts in the windows at the passing parade and the whole thing was very sleazy. 

We had to leave the boat at 8am the next morning, luggage out at 7am so it was an early start!!!  We drove by bus to Antwerp for lunch then on to Paris.  Antwerp had a music festival on and it was lovely in the old area. Then on to Paris.

We have stayed at the Sofitel in Paris the last three nights. (next to the American Embassy)  They said it was the safest place to be in Paris.  I am not sure, anyway the street was all blocked off at each end so was very quiet.

We have been very busy sightseeing and this morning took ourselves off to see the L'Opera.  Was a beautiful building.

We have now left the tour and are on our own for a week.

We have had a lovely afternoon walking around the Left Bank.  Our hotel is near the River Seine and the Pont Neuf Bridge.  There are all little streets to explore and French people walking around with their dogs or riding their bikes.  Very lovely.

Our hotel is small in the Latin Quarter, built from a convent many centuries old.  We are in a room in the very old part with wooden beams on the ceiling.  In the centre of the hotel is a lovely courtyard with geraniums and pots with box balls and lots of candles.  Ah, all lovely. 

Well must finished this email as we need to go and have some dinner.

Photos, dining at La Fermette Marbeuf, last night at the Eiffel Tower 10pm, today at L'Opera and the courtyard tonight at Hotel D'aubusson 

Au revoir

Jill and Trevor