After a 6 hour trip on the French Autobahn, the four of us arrived in Paris, the crowds, traffic, and the challenge of finding the hotel in the morass. The GPS worked very well, and combined with Reiner's steadfast will to succeed, and extreme skill and patience, we arrived safe and sound. We deposited our gear and took to the streets. Finding the restaurant recommended by Laura (Lotti's daughter who is currently living in Paris), we fortified our bodies with pizza (actually Alsacian flamkuchen) then began ourfirst wandering of Paris: first to the Louvre, then to the Eiffel Tower, then, the Arch De Triumph, then the Champs Élysées, and finally back to the hotel at about 12:30AM. The night was warm, dry, and balmy, and the array of lights in Paris were spectacular. Our first night was memorable and properly romantic.
Today we did the tour bus; an " on/off" tour bus with English narration explaining about the sights. We got off several times to explore, and got a very good overview of the city for planning our itinerary for the remaining 9 days. This evening was spent with Reiner, Lotti, and their daughter, Laura dining and wandering in Montmartre. A real delight!!!!! (except for the final farewell to our wonderful new friends.)