Au revoir

We have just returned from our final excursion into Paris. It was a beautiful day - the best weather we've had yet. In the morning we visited the Louvre and this afternoon the Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe. We had a magnificent snack at one of Paris' most famous patisseries, La Duree. Check out our final photos below.

I am very proud of these three students. They have really learned a lot about language, culture, and themselves. They were a pleasure to travel with.

Tomorrow we will arrive in Chicago at 3:26 PM on United flight 943. Our arrival in Cedar Rapids will be at 6:39 PM on United Express flight 5843. See you soon - A bientot!

Louvre & Arc de Triomphe

Soon we will be off on our last daytrip to Paris. Today it's the Louvre Museum and the Arc de Triomphe. We will climb the 384 stairs for a fantastic view of the city. Then a stroll down the Champs-Elysees.

Sunday in Paris Part II

It's a cool day in Paris, but the sun is out! The students and I are with our host families today, and will meet up again tomorrow.

Weekend Plans

I spoke with an English teacher today who had Caroline in her class. She said that Caroline spoke very well and shared Price Lab school with the students here using the website. I participated in an English class in which Colton's host brother was a student; he said things are going very well and the family is enjoying getting to know an American. In this class, the students had been studying Iowa in preparating for our visit. They had made large posters about our cities, the Amish, and Iowa history.

Here are the weekend plans of the students as far as I've heard:

Colton: He will be going to the north of France (Trouville/Deauville) and will try out a beach sport that is popular on the north coast called "char a voile". It's a small vehicle with a sail to control the speed. Check out the pictures on this link (the text is in French!). http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_%C3%A0_voile

Lauren: She will attend her host sister's iceskating competition in Valenciennes.

Caroline: she will be traveling to Normandy to celebrate several family members' birthdays at a relative's home.

Versailles Palace & Montmartre

Today we visited the inside of the Versailles Palace, with its breathtaking decor. The students really showed great interest! There was a special science exhibit at the Palace that showed contributions of the French royalty to hydraulics, astronomy, botany, pharmacy, physics, and more. The students are excited to share what they learned with the science and math teachers at school.

We then went to Montmartre, the highest point in Paris, where we had lunch at a creperie and then took time to see the street artists this neighborhood is famous for. Lauren actually had her portrait drawn (see photo)!

I asked the students to write an example of something they have learned on their trip so far, and this is what they wrote:

Lauren: "I have learned that the French, even with cramped cities, fantastic food, grand monuments, boutique after boutique, and bakeries on every corner, are much like us Americans. They laugh at the same things, and treasure life the same way we do. We also share many favorite popstars. All in all, it's a small world after all! =) (I was on a ride at Disneyland with that song.)"

Colton: "I have learned that fashion is extremely important and that they really like American things. They also have longer school hours, and they take their time when eating."

Caroline: "France has taught me a lot about the differences between schools, food, and culture. I have had the opportunity to attend class entirely in French, try cuisine that is new to me, and experience French culture firsthand - something I wouldn't be able to do if taking a tour. I have learned even more French and am pretty sure I can speak and understand the language even more clearly. This experience has been wonderful and I can't wait for another chance to explore the world!"

Tomorrow we will have our last school day. Colton and Lauren have already helped out in English classes and tomorrow will be Caroline's turn.

Wednesday in France

In many French schools, Wednesday means either a half day of school or no school at all. The school that we are in has a half day, and we all attended this morning. I bumped into Caroline on my way to class (photo below).

Tomorrow we meet in the morning and will visit the Versailles Palace and then the Montmartre neighborhood, which is known for its street artists.

A Day in Enghien

The students and I had a great day in Enghien today. We visited a primary school. The director explained the French education system to us and we contrasted it with the American school system. We had the opportunity to drop in to two different elementary school classes to see what they were working on, take note of the classroom environment, and see some student work. It was very interesting, and I was very proud of my students' behavior and curiosity.

We then headed to the center of town where we had lunch at a very pleasant and chic tearoom. Colton had a salmon and creme fraiche crepe, the girls had gourmet pizzas, and I had a goat cheese salad. We all chose a beautful dessert from the magnificent array of pastries! After that we saw the French film "Le Marquis" which is a comedy/action film in French (without subtitles, of course!). We ended up our day with a little bit of shopping and a cold Orangina.

Tomorrow is a half day at school, and then the students will spend time with their host families in the afternoon and evening.

Back to Elementary School We Go

Off we go to visit the primary school. The principal is providing breakfast for us, then a tour of the school, and visiting a class or two.

Monday's daytrip

Weekend update: Here's a bit more about what the students did this weekend.

Colton: With his host family, he strolled the Chatelet neighborhood of Paris and saw the Centre Pompidou (Modern Art Museum), ate a Nutella crepe in the Marais neighborhood, visited Victor Hugo's house, saw a public protest (very French!), drove on the Champs-Elysees and the roundabout that surround the Arc de Triomphe, and walked along the Seine.

Lauren: Besides the previously reported, she took a drive through Paris at night, which is quite breathtaking. The Eiffel Tower twinkles on the hour for five minutes.

Caroline: Apart from what Caroline already told me, she went to church with her host family and worked at the church bake sale (in French, of course!).

Today we found out that Versailles is now closed on Mondays! So, we strolled Louis' gardens, had a picnic on the steps, and went back to the center of Paris. We explored the Grands Boulevards area including the Opera Garnier, Boulevard des Italiens, and Galeries Lafayette department store. We changed our itinerary so that we will include Versailles Thursday.

Tomorrow we will be visiting a primary school as a group in the morning. The director will explain differences between the education systems in the two countries and we will visit some classes. Then we will eat lunch in downtown Enghien, stroll the Lake area, which houses a spa and casino, see a French film (without subtitles!), and do some shopping.

*Check out our new pics below!*

King Louis XIV's Palace

To answer the poll question from a few days ago, all four of us tasted mussels and goat cheese fondue! This is probably the most adventurous group I've seen foodwise!

We are meeting in two hours to head to Versailles. It is a bit of a trek because we have to head into the center of Paris to change trains, and then leave the center again in another direction. Three trains and about 75 minutes should do it. More news when we return!

Sunday in Paris

Today Lauren is going to the Catacombs with her host family, which is a mass cemetery underground. Caroline will be going to the Musee d'Orsay to see impressionist paintings. Colton's family wasn't sure what their plans were last time we spoke. I am having lunch with a friend on the Champs-Elysees. Sunday in France is generally reserved for family activities such as museum visits or outings. It's a bit drizzly out today, but that won't stop us from enjoying ourselves!

Le soleil et le week-end!

It's Saturday and today is the first day the sun is peeking through the clouds!

Caroline is going to walk the Rue de la Paix and Place Vendome neighborhoods in Paris with her host family. This is where the high end designers and jewelers have their shops, as well as the Ritz Hotel.

Colton will be attending his host brother's handball tournament. Handball is a popular sport among French teenagers.

Lauren, her host sister, and the daughter in my host family are going to Disneyland Paris. Is Mickey Mouse bilingual?

I am heading to a suburb of Paris to have lunch at a friend's house and hope to stroll le Marais neighborhood afterwards.

Bateau Mouche, Latin Quarter, Notre Dame

Today the group had a great first visit to the center of Paris. We started with a boat tour up and down the Seine, then ate at a Savoyard Restaurant (food from the Alps), visited Notre Dame cathedral, and spent an hour shopping.

Along with the obligatory baguette slices on our table we had pasta, onion soup, goat cheese fondue, mussels, and rabbit (Colton was the rabbit eater!). What a delicious lunch it was. =)

I asked the students to give me a written, concise version of their first impressions of France:

Lauren:"HALLO!! was the way I was greeted in my first day of school, and how I was greeted the rest of the day. France is like a more cramped, more chic, and more close version of home, only with much, much better food!"

Colton: "Bonjour! This is an amazing experience, and I get better at French every day. It's really fun."

Caroline: "Being in France, in Paris, is absolutely wonderful. My family is very nice and excited to help me with my French as I help them with their English. There's so much to do here and I wouldn't change a thing!"

Students will spend the weekend doing activities with their respective host families. Bon week-end!

Paris Pics Round 1

Check out our new photos. More news in a few hours!

First Full Day

Today Colton Lauren attended our host high school, Notre Dame Providence. I taught several English classes as well. The daughter in my host family let me know that she was in English class with Lauren - the students asked her questions to practice their English and she responded. The report is that she did a great job!

I ran into Colton's host mother by chance on the sidewalk today in town. She was very complimentary of him, saying that he is a delightful guest. His three host brothers are really enjoying having him as well.

Caroline's host family called the teacher who is organizing our activities, and asked permission to take her to the center of Paris for some sightseeing today instead of school. I look forward to hearing about what she did!

Tomorrow morning (Friday) we will meet at 8:00 and spend 9 hours on our first group excursion in Paris. More after that!

Safe Arrival!

Bonjour! About 8 hours ago we arrived safely at Charles de Gaulle airport. The photo below with the pink Eiffel Tower was taken while we were waiting for our luggage. The flight was good, but we definitely all needed a nap when we arrived. The host families were at the airport waiting for us and took us back to our homes. By now, we've all had a home-cooked meal and are heading to bed. Tomorrow we will see each other at school.

I actually rode in the same car with Lauren and her host father, Monsieur Morlet. Lauren announced to us that she was amazed at how 'not tired' she was, then proceeded to fall asleep for the ride home!

Rendez-vous

Caroline, Colton, & Lauren - Meet me at the Cedar Rapids airport at 11:30 on Tuesday, March 8 to embark on our journey!