learnteach

Cluny closed, but outside interesting. SPent time with Dawn from Australia who I met three years ago; she's heading south, just came from Brugge and Amsterdam and onto Avignon. She hated Amsterdam, but except for mistaking Steeg and Poort and wandering lost for an hour (sint olafsteeg is the street BEHIND sint olafspoort) seems pretty good.

Paris is a high-fashion conservative finance city with fashion week on; people look very much the same, either like weasels (the cross between celtic (gaul) and roman accentuates the nose and not the chin) or fashion models. Clothes are pretty standard. I don't fit in very well.

Holland (Benelux) is more open to different styles and I don't stand out at all here...very relaxing. Plus, it's civilized: 24 hour internet cafes are easy to find.

New experience staying in the common room of a hostel. Had to ask for a bottom bunk and the beds don't look so good, but we'll see. Small bunks. The price is right, 20 Euro instead of 50.

Met a nice couple from LA travelling to Antwerp to buy the diamond for their engagement--gave them my paris map and some advice. Hope they have fun!

Off to bed, and for those of you who ask, no I don't plan to use the cafe's for more than coffee and beer.