MESSAGE CENTER

THOUGH I AGREE that you need to leave the cruise ship to see more in Egypt ["Beyond the Nile Cruise," Oct. 9], the article omitted a valuable source for Egypt travel, Misr Travel (800-223-4978, http://www.misrtravel.org/ ). Eunice Roy is very helpful. We went to Egypt in January and were treated like royalty.

G. S. Shukla, Germantown

Tipping the Maid, Cont'd

I ENJOYED Gary Lee's article about his day of housekeeping at the Ritz. Me, I'm a Super 8-Motel 6 kind of guy. Nonetheless, I leave a $2 tip every morning for the housekeeper in the ashtray on a pillow, so they know the money is meant for them. I recommend leaving a tip daily, instead of at the end of your stay, in case different housekeepers are taking care of you.

Although not the purpose of the tips, I find the housekeepers at my budget hotels make a special effort to leave an extra towel or two, and arrange my toiletries.

Richard E. Mattersdorff, El Paso, Tex.

Niagara Falls, Cont'd

I WAS DISMAYED, and a little distressed, to read that while many of your readers submitted Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, as a must-see stop, there was no mention of its raison d'tre , the Shaw Festival ["Taking Sides on Niagara Falls," Oct. 9]. This acclaimed repertory theater provides high-quality productions of both popular and obscure plays by George Bernard Shaw, as well as other modern playwrights. Each season (April to November) includes a major musical theater production.

While I agree that the shopping and wine give added value, the main reason for visiting is the Shaw Festival. Check it out online at http://www.shawfest.com/ .

Judy Chiariello, Franklinville, N.Y.

Train Tip

IN THE NORTHEAST, Amtrak now requires reserved seats on all trains -- not just Acela and business class. Worse, if one's plans change and the original ticket was purchased with a discount (e.g., AAA), a new ticket is required and will be issued with money due. So far I have had ticket adjustments of $8 to $40 on the New York-to-D.C. leg. Also, changing the ticket (in New York) can take upwards of 20 minutes in line.

Archie M. Andrews III, Burke

Paris Metro Tip

I AM a frequent visitor to Paris, where I had a troubling experience recently. I was traveling from Charles de Gaulle to Etoile-La Defense on a Metro ticket but used an RER train, and while I was exiting the La Defense station the turnstyle blocked, with no add-fare machine in sight to bail me out. A security agent immediately approached me and demanded on the spot a 35-euro fine in cash. She took no pity despite my protests in French as an out-of-towner. Apparently the RER fare is higher than the Metro fare.

Moral: To avoid the fine or an arrest, prior to buying the ticket be sure of the correct rail system -- no easy feat for the close-in suburban points that are on both systems.