Hi dmissy, Have you considered working as a security guard? The pay isn't much, usually not much above minimum, but it's usually nights, weekends and holidays, which is when most people are not working ... but it would pretty well tie you down. Also, with the agency that I worked for, if they asked you to take an assignment, you could turn them down occasionally without getting into trouble. I tried to find situations where I had only about 10 min. per hour of active work to do (making rounds, etc.) and the rest of the time free that I could do as I wanted. I also wanted to get regular assignments (eg. a shift one weekend, two the next, alternating with another guy) where I had a lighted, warm place to relax, with a radio, or I could take mine, and a table at which I could do my thing. I sometimes used it to read, or sometimes to make charts of prices of investment stocks. I sometimes used the company computer to play computer games (ddn't know the passwords to access company info). Also, as company didn't recycle garbage, I picked pop cans from garbage to recycle - about 32 per lb., paying about 55 cents (80 cents recently). I'm nearly 80, so haven't done that for a while. I am fortunate to have larger pensions than I need to live on. And even more so to be enjoying good health. With regard to sharing your home ... would the roommate's room be large enough for an easy chair, radio, TV, computer?, etc. so that s/he could spend quite a lot of time there, or would s/he need to be out in the rest of the house quite a lot of time? If so, are there different living areas, so that s/he could have space away from you? Some people would pefer that there be at least a half-bathroom which the second person could use for all but bathing/showering. Would you want to share food, including costs, or each have his/her own? If separate, would it be possible to have a separate fridge to store food? Usually possible to find an extra at low price at auctions ... but some fee to deliver. Are there enough cupboards that food storage would be adequate? Would timing for preparing and eating meals be easily arranged, if eating separately? One would need to consider that there'd be slightly increased utility costs, water, power, garbage, etc. What about TV .. would one need an extra cable line? What about cancellation if the arrangment didn't work out? Same for telephone. And sometimes outsiders abuse one's phone in terms of long distance charges, etc. How would you like to have to remove your phone when you leave? And even so, they could plug a phone into your jack and use it, anyway. Possibly a concern re internet connection. Good wishes as you make your plans to meet your needs. ole joyful

Loved Bruges (was there for my honeymoon in April 2003). I found the chocolates/truffles from the open farmers' market 1000 times better than those in the stores. They melted in my mouth. I must have consumed chocolates from 10 different stores/markets. Belgium: you know about the 2 types of waffles, yes? I love the heavier dense ones w/ the crunchy sugar crystals. I like it alone, w/out any chocolate syrup, etc. It's so good all warm and sweet and sticky. Amsterdam: sorry but can't remember the name, but we went to a FABULOUS Thai restaurant that had the most amazing papaya salad. Even better than those I had in Thailand; so flavorful and SPICY, just amazing! I fell in love with European canned tuna in Paris. We had purchased fresh baguette and some canned tuna and had a fantastic picnic lunch in the gardens of Palace of Versailles. The canned tuna is so flavorful and smoky; mop up the flavored oil with the crunchy fluffy bread. Or maybe it was the love in my new husband's eyes... :) Enjoy yourself!

You are in a great location and won't waste time getting to the attractions on your list. The metro is very safe and easy to navigate. 3 days in Paris has some excellent suggestions. You will see a few highlights and can plan another trip to see more in the future. Here's what I would want to see with my children: Eiffel Tower-yes, climb to the top. The view is spectacular Museum D'Orsay (used to be a train station) Notre Dame (stand on the star, which is the city center) Louxembourg Gardens (spectacular place for a picnic lunch). We stayed in that district once (I think it's the 5th.) We enjoyed Sacre Coeur. Loved the Montmartre area. Full of street artists and lovely cafe's. Many people have written about how to hit the highlights of Paris. Do you watch the travel channel? Rick Steve's has an excellent show and also has books. On our first trip I took his Paris book out of the library to help plan our 5 days. https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/paris-itinerary One bit of advice: when entering a store or restaurant greet the staff with "Bon Jour" and smile. Almost everyone there speaks English, so if you struggle with your French they will most likely speak English. The French get a bad rap as being unfriendly. I did not find that to be true. As long as you show them respect, acknowledge them and ask for help, you will get along just fine. I love to plan vacations and then sit back and enjoy as it plays out. Plan on doing LOTS of walking and eating! Enjoy!

I love the streetwise maps-- I have given a number of them as gifts and I have a few myself! I am kind of funny about photos-- I would never use my phone for a landscape but I think I am definitely in the minority! I am the same about a digital picture frame. I fully embrace digital photos but I am still kind of old school photography when it comes to displaying them. Again, I am sure I am in the minority. I think I am going to put together a small package-- a streetwise map, the walking tour cards, The Food Lover's Guide to Paris by Patricia Wells (welcome feedback on this-- good, bad and meh) and maybe the wide angle lens. I think that will hit the notes I want to hit-- recognizing it's a family trip and allowing them to have some fun planning it together in the weeks to come.