Harriet had stayed in Greenwich over night so went in
town with us. We drove the station wagon with our
bags. Very cleverly selected as we had two suit
cases each and a bottle bag and the typewriter-plus
a very unhealthy looking green duffle bag (reserved for
purchases. THIS folded up on the bottom of a suit case
for future use!
State room gay with flowers and champagne. We had
a send off party. Billy was hiding behind a curtain
and was a HUGE surprise Caryl had arranged it this way
Gail's mother and a friend- Dale and Kissy got to the
dock just after 10.30 and were not allowed to come on
board. Too bad.
Huge ship. Like a section of the Waldorf- the
Peacock Alley plus several of the dining rooms- afloat
Streams of PEOPLE mulling about.
We had a table in the dining room with 5 other female
ladies. Thought it would divert us. The one man looked
us over and next meal he wasn't there. So we drewano
another lady. It all proved to be amusing. We exchange
addresses and were photographed together.
Voyage very smooth all way over. We took in the
movies and pools. I won a few dollars on a pool.
A Mr. and Mrs Andeson, very nice friends of H.
and Caryls asked us for cocktails one evening. Then
there were the parties of the Captain and the Purser.
Also Esther Boyer was on board with a party of eight
in cabin class, she was to steer about over Europe.
She came up and had tea with us one day.
The Captain and Purser both were on the Franconia
about years ago- as under officers- on a world
cruise we were on. Both extremely cordial.
Took train around noon for Paris. Hot as blazes.
and stuffy besides. Had lunch en route. Quite good.
Paris and piled our belongings into a cab and
landed at Le Bristol- a rather smallish hotel where
diplomats go- white marble and mirrors. We had an oval
white paneled bedroom and an adjoining white paneled
round sitting room. (which we didn't need and later gave
up.)
Very weary and after some refreshing
tub baths went over to the Crenailliere (nearby) where
we had a very delicious dinner.