Balades parisiennes

 

After a lot of rides in the bus, we arrived in Paris a few days ago. I have been able to adjust a little bit, but it has been great stay so far. I have done a lot of walking especially in with my correspondent. I got to ride the metro a couple of times after getting my pass navigo, and I also got to ride on bikes to get to school. We were a late a few times, but the experience is what mattered. We visited a lot of places by walking which was tiring but it was giving us the real Parisian experience. On Monday we were unable to go to school due to having a person demonstrating right in front of the entrances to the school. They completely blocked it off, so my correspondent and I got to spend most of the day together and we had a great time. One place that we visited that was very powerful to me was the museum or monument we went to that honored the Jewish people who transported to the concentration camps. I found it very beautiful to see that each life was really remembered and honored.  (Nathan)

On Saturday, we made the long trip to get from Brittany to Paris. It was very tiring, but we made some stops on the way and I was excited to finally meet up with my correspondent. These past couple of days, I’ve been getting to live the real Paris experience, which includes tons of walking, taking the metro, and hanging out with some new friends. On Monday, school was closed because of protests that were taking place right in front of the school. That was interesting to see, and we got some free time with our correspondents instead of attending school, so that was fun. Something that stuck with me was the monument that honored the Jewish people who got deported to concentration camps. There were in depth writings about what atrocities occurred at the camps, which were hard to read, but necessary to learn about. I was happy that there was such a beautiful place to honor these people though. -Ani 

  As we reach the tears and goodbyes, I think about my last few days in Paris with longing in my heart as I miss the days I have experienced. I miss walking around Notre Dame. 

Yesterday was quite the day! I started the day at the boulangerie by the school! Breakfast was a ten out of ten with the crepe and such yum fresh squeezed orange juice. I got some strawbs for the walk around Paris. They had that wonderful fresh orange scent. Orange juice is super popular here! We went to the Marais and to the fountain of Saint Michele. Crazy! we went to the house of Victor Hugo: lots of fun wallpaper and plates. During our free time, I had a 10/10 lunch and some shopping time. For lunch I split a salad and pasta with Maja, and then I really craved an affagato so I got the French version of it which as mindblowingly wonderful. The day before yesterday there was a blockage in front of the school, and it really showed the school's culture. (Alexis)

We visited the very beautiful mosque in Paris, and got to try a thé à la mente in its tearoom. After the mosque we got to go to other little landmarks such as a Pantheon and the Odeon theater. We have a plan today to have our own itinerary and visit what places we want which I think is cool. I know we are going to have fun, so I can’t wait. (Nathan)

With the mosque's Rector Chems-eddine Hafiz. His grandchildren lived in Brentwood and he has been to Pasadena many times. Le monde est petit!

At the Salon de Thé at the Mosquée

Aux Arènes de Lutèce -- Roman Amphitheater excavated in the late 19th century

We just went to a gorgeous mosque and now we’re at a Moroccan restaurant - the baklava cigar was very yummy. I love seeing the diversity in culture within Paris. We took the metro to get here which makes me so excited. I wish we had them in LA. When we don’t take the metro we do a lot of walking which has been making my legs sore. (CATIE) 

Yesterday was a fantastic day. First, we visited the Musée D’Orsay, with its beautiful art work and incredible architecture. Next, we visited the neighborhood of St. Germaine de près, with its Romanesque Church, boutiques, and narrow streets. Lastly, we visited the Musèe Rodin, with its luscious garden and the famous Thinker statue. (Nicolas)

My favorite part of this trip was the amazing places I got to explore throughout France that I wouldn’t have found without going on this trip. In particular, I really enjoyed the 2 day trip of traveling throughout France and being able to see amazing sights like Mont Saint Michael. My favorite thing that I saw in Paris was the Musée d’Orsay because I love Impressionist art very much. I was so amazed to see Edgar Degas’ sculpture “Little Dancer of Fourteen Years” as it’s been one of my favorite art pieces since I was very little. I am very much so an art nerd, so I loved having the opportunity to look at so many amazing museums. I also think that the home stays were very valuable as I feel that my French improved greatly because of how much I was practicing it at home! Overall I had an amazing trip and made memories I know I will never forget. - Hannah

Some dramatic poses in front of the Theâtre de l'Odéon!

One of the two Statue of Liberty models in the Jardins de Luxembourg

Beehive school in the Jardins de Luxembourg

Tired on the metro after a day of walking

Obligatory pose in front of The Thinker!

Alexis with Valentin, who came to Poly in 2019 and stayed with her family. He is now in Medical School!

A Victor Duruy pendant la grève

 

This is the photo that we woke up to (or arrive to this am)

Paris promenade

Nicolas: Yesterday was an eventful day. After not being able to attend school with our correspondants due to a student-led strike outside of the school, we went for a promenade around Paris. We visited the gorgeous gardens of the city, and were able to see the glass pyramid out in front of the Louvre. Sadly, we could not enter the museum due to the strikes. Lastly, we did some shopping at the Galleries Lafayette.

This past weekend we drove from Calais to Normandy to Britany to Paris. I slept for the entirety of our time on the bus except when seeing the different WWII historical places and memorials- I am very glad we were able to see those. So far, I am having a wonderful time in Paris! I have really enjoyed experiencing the lifestyle of a Parisian teenager and I am loving the tremendous amounts of cheese, bread, and Nutella. My favorite part of Paris is the mix between the very old historical and valuable buildings and arts mixed with the more modern vibe of what the massive mall Galleries Lafayette beholds. I am very very excited for the rest of this week, for it has all gone by so fast. (Catie)

On the roof of Galleries Lafayette

On our way to the Louvre-passing by the Obelisk

At the Louvre-- we'll go back Wednesday

Xochitl: Yesterday, I spent the morning attending my correspondents classes. She took me to Physics, German, and Geography. It was interesting to attend physics as it is a class I currently take at my school so hearing concepts and words familiar to me being lectured in French was definitely a reminder to me that I was in a foreign country. In German I was taught a bit of the language along with the opportunity to have a fast paced conversation with the teacher in French. Geography was geography. Unfortunately the teacher asked me many questions that my responses could potentially agree with the stereotype of Americans and geography, so that was not much of a highlight. After we had lunch. It was quite shocking to me to see that they received a main dish along with side dishes for lunch. Being in a cafeteria was also a new experience as I have grown accustom to Poly’s mainly outdoor sitting. The rest of the day was filled with lots of walking around popular sites in France. We had a small break that my friends and I used to have a quick coffee before we continued on with the sites. After my feet were pretty exhausted but I am thankful for all the beautiful sites I was able to see and the new experiences I gained today.

At the potluck welcome

I have had a lot of fun these past few days… even on the bus! On the bus, we play games and eat some snacks. The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. Coco’s new favorite find is Chipsters! Maja found some yum candy on Mont-Saint-Michel. Hannah and I had popsicles while on the mandatory bus stop. Anyways, while not on the bus, we have been exploring several different areas in the north. I adore how open and green everything is. Last night and this morning, we walked along the water in Cancale. They love fish there! Mont-Saint-Michel was crazy with the quicksand all around. The views were so pretty, and it was amazing to think that people actually built the town! Anyways, Saint Malo was very interesting and I loved walking along the wall. (Alexis)

Week-end à Paris

 Melody: After we stopped to bid farewell to Samantha, we headed to Sont Malo. We were given the freedom to wander around for a few hours, and it was such an incredible experience. Even a simple transaction with the cashier was interesting when she asked me where I was from. Now, we are  saying goodbye to to the “small town France” as we sit in the bus headed to Paris, where we will stay with the French correspondents that stayed with us in California. I am really nervous because of the political chaos, but I am hoping that the protests won’t deter our plans. Regardless, I am really excited to spend time with the Parisiens and get a glimpse into their lifestyles after having heard so much about it.

The group at Saint Malo

I have really enjoyed the past two days touring around the North-West coast of France, and there have been so many highlights for me. Starting with Bayeux, which was such an incredible town with the most gorgeous Cathedral that had beautiful towers and stained glass, as well as the Bayeux tapestry which was such an incredible experience to be able to see in person. I love history, so seeing something so old tell such a clear story about what was happening nearly 1000 years ago right where we were standing was so special for me. Next, we toured around many WWII memorials and sites which were beautiful and sorrowful, and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to visit them, something I’d never done before. We had a very nice stay in a small beach town last night, and have visited St Malo as well on the way to Paris, which was a very fun and relaxing shopping, walking, and touring break. (Coco)

                                                         Meeting up with our Victor Duruy families

These past few days have been both fun and insightful. In Bayeux, I loved absorbing the small town atmosphere while also learning about the old Cathedral with beautiful stained glass windows. I also love learning about the incredible Bayeux tapestry and thinking about all of the work required to produce and save it. After leaving Bayeux, we visited many world war two memorials which were beautiful and provided insight on the true impacts of the war which are often overlooked in the United States. For example, we were able to see some lasting bomb holes which made me realize how much could change in one second during the war as the holes were greater than I was. Next we had a calming stay in a small beach town, and I even got to talk to the chef of the restaurant about local food which was very fun and insightful as it is very different from American food. Yesterday, we got to visit Mont-Saint-Michel which was impeccable even as the wind blew and the rain fell hard. I was amazed by the stone pathways and of course the beautiful abbey at the top of the island. Today, we visited St. Malo which has been my personal favorite part of the trip. I loved having tow free hours to just explore and eat wonderful food such as eclairs and baguette sandwiches. Overall, I have loved the past few days, and I can not wait to see what the next days bring. (Maja) 

Reunited again!

It is Monday morning and the school day began with a strike and closure.  Some kids got into class on time while others had the morning to check out Paris with their correspondants! We're experiencing an authentic French experience and updating the plan as changes arise.  Tomorrow is a general strike, so we will not be going to national museums.  Fortunately our reservation to the Louvre is today!!

La Pluie, Le Vent, Le Soleil et le Sacré-- Bayeux, La Pointe du Hoc, Le Mont Saint Michel, Le Menhir de Dol-de-Bretagne et Cancale

 

(Warren) Today we visited Bayeux Cathedral. I was honestly astounded by the magical and beautiful glass planes and stone carvings. I was shocked to the point where I had to sit down for minutes in order to get back on my feet. We explored the buildings, and the stone statues and paintings made it as if I were there. I felt like I could feel the history of the place. Afterwards, we visited the island Mount Saint. Michel. We discovered the Island on our own, and we had some food. We then visited the abbey where the sacred stone where Saint. Michel defeated the devil. As a Christian with some of my Christian friends including Nic, Nathan, and Liam, we really appreciated the history.

Today was a great day, as we were able to explore the Bayeux Cathedral. We woke up and had a quick breakfast, then made our way to the Cathedral. Walking around the marvelous building, we were taken aback by the utter beauty of the architecture. Inside was no different, the various sculptures, colorful mosaics, the catacombs, and the impressive high arching ceilings took our breaths away. Today was truly an amazing day, and we are sad to be departing the wonderful city of Bayeux.(Nicolas) 

Melody: I am currently sopping wet as I sit here writing my blog post. After eating dinner at the hotel room, Natalie, Mimi, and I went to wander around in Cancale, but when Natalie convinced me to go to the dock, it started pouring rain. I can’t really feel my legs, but we went to Mont Saint-Michel today, and that was really cool. It is incredible to see something that was built such a long time ago, and it is eye-opening to hear about the history behind the architecture.  Yesterday night, we had dinner with Charles Shay, and I don’t think that I have met someone with a more interesting life. He has done so much with his life and he has saved so many other lives.

 

After the long bus ride, we finally arrived at the cliffs of Omaha beach, with the hundreds of divots caused by bombs, and the various bunkers. It was surreal to be back at one humanity’s most important battles in history. My friends and I found it hard to fathom what it must’ve felt like to have been a soldier on either side. After this, we came across the marvelous Mount Saint Michel, with its narrow medieval streets, and the wonderful abbey of St. Michael, where we witnessed the incredible gothic architecture and the stone where St. Michael defeated the devil. All in all it was a great day.(Nicolas)

Natalie: After a large dinner filled with dishes of fish and my poor ring that fell in my soup, I lumbered to the hotel room in Cancale to rest. Then, Melody, Mimi, and I walked around the city only to be poured on the by rain. However, we laughed the whole way back with our frozen limbs. Looking back, my favorite moment from today was when we visited the wall with German bunkers. It was incredible to imagine how US soldiers climbed and sacrificed their lives in order to stop German artillery in the war. Although it was a bit sad, the scenery was beautiful and breathtaking. I am looking forward to reuniting with my correspondent in Paris!

Yesterday we met Mr. Charles Shay in Normandy. He is 98 years old but still allowed us to converse (barvarder) with him about his time in the military and experiences in his life. Today we arrived in Brittany but spent most of our time in the bus. Although the ride was long, it was fun and memorable because of the stops along the way. The stops included A big rock, bathroom and most importantly Mont San Michel. Mont San Michel was a breathtaking and fun experience where we explored a castle-like landscape accompanied by lots of food stands/venders. After our adventures we arrived in Brittany, where we ate a delicious dinner and explored the area. (Liam)

The Menhir (Celtic ruin) in Dol-de-Bretagne & our dinner spot

Once upon a time a group of seventeen teenagers boarded an Air Tahiti flight to France and visited the most amazing rock we had all ever seen. There was lush green grass for miles surrounding us and no civilization in sight, making the experience even more amazing. The Celtic rock was about as tall as three average sized people stacked on top of each other and the width of about one hippo that had eaten a big lunch. Some may say that it looked like a random Celtic rock in the middle of nowhere, but for me, an American student who had been in a hot bus for the past couple of days, it was the best thing I had ever seen. Just by looking at it you could tell it was valued by its community, with smaller rocks forming a cozy bed around the base of the Celtic menhir, probably placed by its loved ones, making it seem as though the Celtic rock was truly loved by all, Honestly at first we all hated on the Celtic rock because of the nature of our visit, I had just been awakened and was not in the best of moods to see an ugly Celtic rock, but after a couple days and much reflecting I have realized that we need you appreciate the little things. (Catherine)