June 13, 1968

June 13, 1968

      Have satisfactory breakfast and leave Brussels.  Hope picture of flower patio turns out.

     By the way weather hasn't been the best all through trip.  That is, it could have been warmer.  For June it is a little cool.  Sun is out though, most of the time.

     Leave from Midi station 11:00 am for Paris.  

     Have lunch on train and here is where we really went off our budget!  We didn't realize it, but wew got taken here.  Although the food was excellent it cost 24$ for the four of us.

      Taxi strike still on so we thought have to take the bus part the rest of the way to the hotel.  It was a little hard on us but not too bad.  

      Happy to find everything else apparently peaceful in Paris.  

     Hotel is fine.  3rd floor with funny elevator.  Kids aren't supposed to have a toilet but surprisingly have a shower.  We have a bath.  Pleasant enough rooms too.  

      We quickly clean up and show boys Monmarte by walking.  

      Decide to have a standing walking picnic.  Supper watching artists.  Have ham sandwhich on french bread first - then fruits - then sugar waffle - then eclair.  Then ice cream cone.  All Great!

      Afterwards we catch one Paris by night tour.  Kids sit on upper deck, we sit on lower.  A rich South American party is really rowdy - singing native songs and drinking from flasks but in a way it was O.K. and interesting.  (After tour mostly over they got off at Lido).  

      This tour was simply magnificent.  Eiffel Tower, Arc de triumph, Notre Dame, Trocedero gardens and fountains, President's state house.  

Around Notre Dame everything seemed to be under control.  

  Louvre, saw Silver famous restaurant.  Market streets getting ready.  Moulin Rouge.  etc. etc. 

     Afterwards have horrible coffee and cookies and then an encore.  Foot sore and weary, on to bed.