Paris Nov 2011 by Kathy Beckman

Hi Jude and all;  This morning started with a 9am city tour of Paris.  Had a great tour guide and learned more about Paris and it's history than I will ever remember.  Of course we sat on the wrong side of the bus, again!  We managed to do that yesterday too.  Walked through Notre Dame and were awed at the architecture and how they could build they way they did with no power equipment (and guess what? All the buildings are still standing).  The stained glass windows are just amazing.  The US is just a baby in comparison to the history of the buildings.  I love the look of this city and could stay here a week or two with no problem.  One thing both Ron and I have noticed is there are very few overweight  people in this city and if we do see one they are usually speaking English.  I'm sure it has to do with all the walking.  They started a new bike mode of transportation where there are stands of about 20 motorized bikes, you put in your credit card and check the bike out.  You can return it to any other stand of bikes and when you plug it back in your card is charged for the amount of time that you used it.  They are all over the place and actually look like a great way to get around (even have baskets on some of them).  Our tour ended at about 12:30 pm - we had lunch and then the two of us headed out again to the Champ Eleysse (sp) and the Chrismas Market.  There were at least two miles of booths up one side and down the other of the Champs E toward the Arch deTriomph.  We then took the Batobus (water taxi) back to our ship.  I think we hit our 10,000 steps easily.

As I type this we are listening to the program for tomorrow.  Very pleased with Viking River cruises.  I would up to now give them a 10 on everything except maybe a 9 on the food.

Will write more tomorrow.  Best to all ....Kathy