Notes to Parents

Bon jour from Hotel Amiot in Paris! We had two very uneventful flights (as all flights should be) and arrived in Paris ahead of schedule. Salt Lake City to Paris was a movie marathon for most as Delta offered more free movies for viewing than hours on the plane. Ned and Sarah were our champs with five flicks apiece.

We are taking a short break in our rooms before beginning our whirlwind tour of the City Of Lights.  More to come.

Dear Mom, Dad, Rylan and Troubadour,
Bonjour! Sorry I couldn't post earlier, as the last few days have been a little crazy. on the first day, we visited the Louvre after we landed. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep on one of the benches. Don't worry Mom I got lots of photos. My camera broke after the second day so I am relying on my classmates to take photos. On the second day we visited the Catacombs, Notre Dame, Jewish Deportation Memorial, Sacre-Coeur and Momatre.  The Catacombs were actually not as creepy as I thought they would be, they were actually really touching and had some great  quotes on the wall. Notre Dame was impressive and very interesting. The Jewish Memorial had a room full of glass balls and each was a person. Sacre-Coeur was very cool and touching, although the walk up the hill was tiresome. I got you some presents at Momatre. The Louvre was cool and intriguing.  I was nervous about meeting my host family but now I am super excited. I love you all and I miss you very much. Rylan have fun on Experiential Days.
Macey

Hey parents,
We're having a great time in Paris! However, we've climbed hundreds of stairs--today we climbed the Eiffel Tower, and yesterday we climbed into the catacombs and up to Sacre Coeur. Also, we've spent hours probably on the metro and standing in line. Yesterday we spent an hour and a half standing in line for the catacombs, and we waited for a while for the Eiffel Tower today. One thing that I really enjoyed today was the Musée d'Orsay. There was an impressionist exhibit on the top floor, which I really liked, featuring a lot of Monet, Renoir, and those guys. All together, we've been having a great time.
-Sarah

Hello parents,
Paris is amazing. We have been going to lots of great monuments. Yesterday we went down 134 stairs to the catacombs, there where lots of art made out of the bones and walls filled with it. We also went to the love locks bridge, there were locks on locks on locks. Today we started with going to the Musée d'Orsay where we saw lots of beautiful paintings and sculptures. We also went to the Eiffel Tower and walked to the second story. The trip has been really fun the past days. Tomorrow we go to Epinal to meet our host families. I am very exited.
- Emma


Hello people at home!
I'm having the time of my life! Paris is officially my favorite city in the world. (Sorry San Francisco) It's  beautiful, bustling and full of wonderful and fascinating things. I'm going to tell you about my top 4 moments so maybe you can pretend you're here too. 1. My favorite moments so far was this evening where we were allowed to roam the Rue De Clare and Emma, Andrei and David and we went to a Gelato shop and a farmer's market. The gelato was in the shape of roses and we bought strawberries. I got yogurt gelato and we ate it with the fresh strawberries. It was peaceful but also full of life and very classic French. 2. Yesterday, we walked over the love locks bridge and got ice cream


(this one also features frozen sweet things) then we sat by the Seine and ate the ice cream and
watched the boats go by and the people going by.  3. Today, we went to the Musée d'Orsay and I got to see my favorite Degas. It was a really mesmerizing and awe inspiring. 4. Yesterday on the metro there was a mans playing guitar and singing and I was sitting with my friends and it was picture perfect and definitely going to be one of my favorite memories of Paris. I hope things are well at home. See you fairly soon.
-Rowan


Mami shi Tati,
I'm having a lot of fun, and not missing home AT ALL.  :P  We've been going to so many landmarks, and they're all sssuuupppeeeerrrr amazing and fun to see. The ice cream here is so much better than America's, by far. Paris is now officially my favorite city in the world. The people and culture here is fascinating. The architecture is fun to look at, and all the weird and quirky streets are great to waste all your money on. I have to go since we're leaving for Epinal tomorrow so I have to go!
-Andrei

Monday 3/17

Today was our first full day in Epinal after spending the night with our home stay families. Everyone reported their families were most welcoming to their Oregon guests and once again the food in France seems to be a tasty experience.

Our students went to classes with their hosts and taught a class in an English class. The lesson they presented was to reinforce colors and body parts using English. Our students led the class in he Hokey Pokey and Twister. Both were successes by the smiles and laughter from American and

French students. Katie, Len and I could not have been prouder of our students. They put aside their
nerves and jumped right in to lead the classes. We are so fortunate to have these wonderful ambassadors with us! They never complain and are willing to try whatever comes our way.

Wednesday, 3/19

Today was our morning to volunteer a special education school. We rode a local bus from the school of our homestays to a special Ed school. Riding the bus was a good way to see a bigger slice of Epinal. Once at the school, the director explained to us - all in French of course - about the students we would see, what they try to teach their students, how the French education system works with handicapped citizens, and the plan to build a new and larger school for the children who come to them.

We then broke up into groups of two or three and went into classrooms. Once there our students played games, went for walks, helped in PE class, and talked to a variety of children with physical or mental handicaps, or a combination of both. The students there ranged in age from 7-19. The smiles on students faces - theirs and ours - were a joy to see. You know it has been a good day when you
hear several of your students, say, "I wish we could have stayed longer."

Sunday, 3/23

Today we left our home stay families in Epinal for our trip to Paris. It was hard for everyone to say goodbye. There were lots of photos taken and plenty of French check kissing among heartfelt wishes to come back to Epinal and to visit Portland!

Once in Paris we set out to visit the Invalides as well as walk around the beautiful city before celebrating Katie's birthday with a dinner on rue Cler. To end our perfect trip, we had an evening cruise on the Seine. See you in Portland  very soon!