Still our first day in Paris. We came back to the room from viewing the parade for new camera batteries. While there I called Tara from Paris Parfait, to let her know that we had arrived and were comfortably ensconced in our hotel. We firmed up the time, date and place for our diner date and first face to face meeting...(Wed. the 19th.)

We decided to stop at the bistro on the corner (aren't they all on the corner?) just a few doors down from the hotel. It is called the Bistro Amelot. Believe it or not we never took a photo of this bistro even though we had many cafes, wines, and three diners there. While we were soaking up the atmosphere of Paris street life and sipping our wine, we couldn't help over hearing a conversation being held in English just inches from our table which was inside but a foot's breadth from the side walk. D. started up a conversation with them and we soon discovered that they were part of a group of 28 folks from South Africa and one gent from Zambia. They were staying at our hotel also. They were all employees of General Motors corporation and had come to Paris to see some of the world Cup of Rugby championship.
We invited them to join us which they did and some good conversations ensued. More and more wine and beer was consumed and as the afternoon wore on a desire for some food presented itself. D. asked the waiter if we could get a plate with some bread and cheese on it. No problem says he. Next thing you know there are four croque monsieurs presented to us plus salad. Not what we expected but welcomed and delicious none the less. In the first photo the fellow on the left in the striped shirt is Harry Weissenstein from Zambia.

Later they all left to take in a scenic tour by boat on the Seine and we, we returned to our room to nap freshen up an later back to the bistro for a delicious diner.

We were quite exhausted early on for the end of our first day and retired gratefully to our quite comfortable bed to rest up for the next day's wanderings.