Dear Madeleine,

I hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying your stay in the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

I am sitting at a sidewalk café on the Champs Élysées in Paris. Let me describe the scene to you, my dear friend. I am drinking a café au lait as I am writing this letter to you. Right now, I am staring at the Arc de Triomphe and I am trying to ignore the rude man beside me who is smoking a very smelly Gauloise cigarette. On the other side of me, a lady is walking by with three poodles on three different leashes. The dogs make such a mess on the beautiful streets of Paris! Behind me, a young girl is screaming and crying. She is disturbing me. I am leaving this café. It is too noisy!

(One hour later)

I am back, Madeleine, and I am standing on top of the Arc de Triomphe. I am looking at the amazing view of the city. From up here, the city of Paris looks like a big star surrounding the monument. In the distance, the Eiffel Tower dominates the skyline. I am glad it is not cloudy, because I have a beautiful view of the city.

Please write back and tell me of all the wonderful things you are doing in New York!

Your Friend,
Eloise