New Years Eve

I met Allison and Billy at the Gare du Lyon on Thursday afternoon.  They took the shuttle in from the airport. Allison was toting a suitcase from her childhood ("It was the biggest one I had.") that didn't roll!  Alli and I took turns carrying it for a few metres each and then poor Billy ("We've got to get you a rolling suitcase, Babe.") carried it most of the way.  They're in a cute little studio apartment, which reminds me of lots of hotel rooms I've stayed in, with a bar kitchen. It's perfect for them, and just an 8 minute walk from my apartment.

While I met Alli and Billy, Dana got Courtney and Chris checked into their apartment.  It's between Allison and Billy's place and this apartment.  Courtney and Chris returned from Prague that night.

Rick got here on Saturday in the early afternoon.  No time to rest because we were hosting the celebration!

At midnight we went out onto the two terraces.  It looked like a demonstration on the Bastille, but it was just people revelling.

And in the distance, the Eiffel Tower.............



We toasted and cheered with the people on the terrace one floor below. And then came back in to dance.

Chris flicked the lights disco style!

And when we ran out of champagne, we went downstairs to The Bastille, a restaurant/bar right below the apartment.  I was sceptical that they would be able to seat nine, but apparently I was the only one of the group that had not already been in the restaurant sometime during the day and they led us straight upstairs to a large table.

Our very nice waitor brought us VERY expensive champagne and wigs!

The Waiter

&

The Wigs

And some hats appeared..............  We all shared.  And we sang and danced until the wee hours.

Mike and Amanda Bender (this is the first time I learned that "Bender" had a first name) arrived on Saturday morning.  He was the best man at Courtney and Chris's wedding, an old friend of Chris's from the University of Michigan. And they are lots of fun!

But even in Paris, all good parties must come to an end................

Bonne Annee Tout le Monde!