Wednesday, April 30

While some school days go until 6:00 PM, on others we get out early!  There is no school on Wednesday afternoons in France to give kids the time to do extra-curricular activities.  Today we had class from 8:15 to 12:15 and after that, everyone left school to go home or to do an activity with their host students.  Many of them went to Rouen to have lunch and to explore the city.  

Some teens have these tiny electric cars called "Amis" that they can drive around the city.  Max speed, 40 mph!

Mrs. Besegai enjoying one of our classroom window.

This 8th grade class completed a detective activity!  Their teacher created witness cards for all of the American students and the French students had to go around the room and ask them questions.  They were trying to figure out who committed the crime! 

Working on BHS schoolwork!  

Dahlia also tried escargot last night.  

In the evening, the whole group was invited to Léopold's (and Jae's) house for a BBQ.  His family left city life and bought a castle a few years ago.  They have been fixing it up to open a venue for events such as weddings.  When completed, they will have 71 beds spread out between the castle and the 5 other buildings on the property.  Here is an article about their project if you can read French: 

Château du Bosc Feré

We were amazed that Léopold lives in such a grand home! 

Their chapel!

The donkey :)

Evan, Amanda, and Bella ran the BBQ.

The small reception room where the group had their party.  

Lots of space for running and playing. 

For May 1, Lucas C offered a small bouquet of lilies of the valley (le muguet) and a yellow rose to everyone at the barbecue.  Giving lilies of the valley to someone on May 1st is a tradition in France that goes back hundreds of years.  Read more about it here: le muguet on May 1

Tuesday, April 29

We were all blown away by the beauty of today!!  We began at the school to fetch the bagged lunches today.  We then took our bus to the town of Vernon for a quick view of the Old Mill of Vernon.  Back in the bus for a few minutes, we parked in the town of Giverny, which is the town where Claude Monet lived from 1883 to 1926.  He died at the age of 86, so he spent half of his life there.  We had time to explore his water garden, the Normand garden, Monet's house, and of course the gift shop.  

We then returned to our bus to get our lunches and to eat our picnics in the grass.  After lunch, we explored the town, church, and the selection of ice cream cones.  By this time, it was 80 degrees out.  

Back on the bus, our driver navigated small villages and narrow roads to the Château de Villarceaux.  This property has a 12th century castle, an 18th century castle, and many ponds and gardens.  We had time to explore the grounds and to go into some parts of the castles.  From here, we returned to school at 5:00 PM and the students dispersed to take their buses home, to walk, or to get picked up by their parents.

!!None of the photos have been edited!  These are the REAL colors!!!

The old mill in vernon

In Monet's workshop

Monet's bed

 

Go karting and trampoline park was the activity for some tonight.

Madelyn and Colombe painting at home. 

Dahlia was inspired last night by the visit to Monet's garden.