Sunday, April 22, 2012

La fin

Paris was amazing! And the few violent but mercifully brief storms did not get in our way. We were able to see Notre Dame (some of us from the top), le Louvre, la Tour Eiffel, l'arc de Triomphe, les champs élysées, the Monet's at the Orangerie and Sacre Coeur. We ate macarons from La Duree, escargots and duck in Monmartre, croque monsieurs, croque madames, raclette and crepes, crepes and crepes! We are all experts on the metro and some of us have a new appreciation for black coffee sipped in cafes. We did many McKenna miles, with very few complaints. We climbed the 92 steps in the subway station at Abbesses, then the 100+ more steps up to Place des tertres for our final dinner. We developed an efficient system of counting heads and redistributing extra weight in suitcases. Aside from my iPhone disaster, a broken camera lens and and few waits in the rain, there were very few bad moments, and even then, the sun always returned. And we are all coming back! I am very proud of the kids, who grew by leaps and bounds. They conquered fears of heights, fears of cities, fears of food and fears of French. I am bringing them back more mature, more poised, more confident and better citizens of the world. And that was the point!

I'm glad I waited for that one last trip. I was right, this was a great group!

Madame McKenna



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Air France flight 338 CDG

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Les beaux chateaux

We have survived our first night in a hotel together, discovered that French actually works when ordering food, learned that Madame was right with all that silly talk about warm layers and umbrellas, and walked the first McKenna mile.Today we visited our second chateau, and perhaps the most beautiful--Chenonceau, the chateau of the six ladies. We were especially awed by the flower arrangements and the gardens, and of course the setting.










Sawyer did the re-enactment of the famous scene from our French 2 textbook "Où est Hector?" , Sam remembered his chateau project from freshman year and Laura helped some Australians order food in French. Although the forecast has been pretty dismal, we have only gotten a little wet, and we have had ample sunshine for photo ops. Right now, we our traveling through the golden fields of rapeseed in the bread basket of France on our way to Paris.
A bientôt!

Location:Loire Valley

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Au revoir Montaigu!

Here we are on the way to the chateaux of the Loire! It was a very tearful departure this morning but the recovery is in process. Our days in Montaigu far exceeded expectations, and the farewell party was spectacular. The French students and their teachers had planned a fun day of activities and games complete with Olympic medals. But the evening's entertainment was truly spectacular! There were dance performances, songs performed by both French and Americans, speeches, toasts and a gala potluck dinner with a spectacular cake.


The principal stayed for the whole day, helped serve food and clean up, made a speech and had to go into emergency mode when the alarms went off at 10:00!

Don't forget to check out the photos from the link on the right! I'm a little behind but I have lots to upload tonight!






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Location:Loire Valley, France

Monday, April 16, 2012

En route à futuroscope

On est arrivés????? Ah, oui! It's cold but it's fun!



- Posted by Madame McKenna

Location:Near Poitiers

Friday, April 13, 2012

Dejeuner sur l'herbe

Everyone has had some sleep and some (a lot of) great food and all the reunions have taken place. Today we're visiting the beautiful city of Nantes with all the French students and their teachers we have seen Les Machines de l'ile , which was cool. After lunch (weather cooperating!) we will visit the chateau, the cathedral and the stores. Special announcements: Danielle is trying new food, David is overcoming his fear of heights, and Jaime is taking great photos!
A plus tard!


- Posted by Madame McKenna

Location:Nantes

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Arrivés!

Safe and sound, ok a little tired. Biggest excitement was a scurrying through CDG to make it to our flight to Nantes. Tous les amis were of course there to meet us, and the sun is even shining! More soon!





- Posted by Madame McKenna

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

And....we're off!

So under sunny skies and perfectly on time we bid farewell to the Spanish students, my sophomores and an eclectic array of well-wishers and are on our way! It was a long morning for all of us, in fact it's been a long half-week. But now we are cruising to Logan and soon will be with our friends in Montaigu. Can't believe it's my last trip but I'm sure it will be great. And to all my many former travelers, you made this one possible. Merci!



- Posted by Madame McKenna

Location:Mass pike