Sidetrack before the Big B-Day Cruise...Sights and Nonesense

As discussed in my last blog, we moved out of our 'slum' hotel (125.00 per night) in a seedy neighborhood and into what was equivalent to the Ritz, smack dab in the middle of everything you would possibly want within safe walking distance, even at night.

It's funny because the restaurant workers in the seedy neighborhoods were very nice and friendly to us (Chinese and Italian), while the fancier area restaurants were pretty snooty. I think they were mad because we made it farther in the Soccer Cup than they did. Not sure but they seem to be pretty passionate about it around here. :P

At our new digs in gay Paree, we had a nice walled-in court yard garden area where we could meet and have breakfast in the morning or drinks in the evening and the staff was extra accommodating to us.

I usually like to take a guided tour of the city I'm touring so I can decide what to go back and do. In Paris, we took a boat cruise early in the day and got to view everything from the Seine. Very fun! We then went on to see the Eiffel tower, the Louvre, and a special surprise Dinner Cruise to celebrate Sue's big 5-0 since we would still be gone for her big day.

Brenda and Sue's daughter Cassie had decided to buy Sue a piece of jewelry in every country they visited. Julie, Andy & I got in on the Italian piece of jewelry - a beautiful blue topaz bracelet and a French silver necklace.