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Bonne Annee and Happy New Year from Paris and London. There was no one home to write to last week and we've been so busy this week that we haven't had a chance to send word that we are all well and enjoying our JBIP trip very much. Paris was a blast! We went everywhere and did everything one does in Paris and more. New Year's Eve was an especially eventful time, beginning with our attempt to have a group meal when every restaurant was charging outrageous prices for a fixed menu. Naive Americans that we were, we wandered into the Alesia (just up the street from our hotel), thinking the place was empty, it was early yet and dinner would be no problem. No problem if we had a reservation or wanted the 79 euro dinner. (Want to know how expensive that
is? Look it up. It's beaucoup bucks.) So, out we walked in search of another, more reasonable option, when what to our wondering ears should be heard but "Monsieur! Madamoiselles! We can make you dinner! We can give you steak. With fries!" Ummm.... We would find the same thing at every other restaurant, the waiter assured us. So we said ok. They moved heaven and earth for us. Well, they set up three tables in the corner of the bar, took our order (medium, well done, medium . . .), and voila! Six steaks cooked to order with frittes. Tres Bon! Afterwards the students ventured to the Champs Elysees and established residence on the Place de la Concorde, where they met Australians, Indians, and Canadians, had a grand time, and saw the fireworks up close and personal on the ferris wheel and the Eiffel Tower. Maybe you caught it all on TV? Ariel got it on video. When we return, we'll try to share it with you.
Now we are in London, just back from a day trip to Stonehenge and Salisbury. Dr. Seelbinder drove, with Dr. Tarabek as navigator. Suffice it to say we stayed to the left (mostly), got honked at only twice, and lived to tell the tale. It was cold on the plain, but the day was awesome. We look forward to sharing more tales with you when we return on Monday. Hope everyone else has had a great break. We'll see you soon.
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