Joyeux Anniversaire!

We just said our goodbyes to Lynne and Robert--they leave for the U.S. tomorrow. We had a wonderful time with them, especially last night during Lynne's birthday celebration at the Restaurant au Beaujolais. Steve and I had eaten there once before and had found the owner and waiters to be over-the-top hospitable and friendly, so we knew it would be a festive place for Lynne's 70th birthday dinner. For 18 euros (about $22) each, we had an appetizer, main course, and dessert. And of course there were pre-dinner drinks (kir), two bottles of Bordeaux red, and after-dinner liqueurs, but because we did our drinking over three hours, we were barely tipsy when we left the restaurant. When it was time to serve dessert, the owner put a candle on Lynne's crème brûlée, turned off the lights, and sang 'Happy Birthday' in English. Our waiter, an Algerian who adores Obama, kissed Lynne and me goodbye when we left. Steve and I will be back at least once before leaving Paris.