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