Saturday 15th:
We visited the Tapestry of Bayeux
and the cathedral. I think the kids were impressed. Some asked me if
it was Catholic, just to show you how foreign these kind of churches are
to them. The tapestry was quite nice, and I was proud that several
remembered the famous battle that it depicted, and we studied last year: the battle of Hasting.
After a 2 hour bus ride we went to Le Mont Saint Michel. A
curious small islandish place when the tide is high. Some of the
construction started in 700 and it continued to the 14th century, in
short quite old. Kids were/are great. They went up and down the one
small street, some went through the abbey, and on the walls
(protective walls). They bought their lunches, and were all on time at
the meeting place (the one drawbridge that lets you in the "city".
Three got a little car sick when we drove all the way
to Montpon, but they all said they were fine when we got off the bus at
11 p.m. to meet the French families. Everyone seemed quite happy to meet
again. We were welcomed with strawberries du Périgord (region), and cookies.
Tomorrow they will all rest, although kids didn't look too tired
(on the bus, they were singing along the radio that mainly plays American songs). I will see them on Monday (when we go visit the Lascaux
grotto + Castelnaud castle), but parents have the phone numbers of the
teachers, so if there was anything, I'll be alerted right away.
So,
so far so good. everyone
is eating, and in good spirits, I am not cranky at all, so that is a
very good sign!
Friday 14th:
We made it to Charles de Gaulle without a glitch. Those who needed to exchange money did so at the
airport, those who needed to withdraw money were able to do so. We found our driver, and made it to Normandy in about 3 hours. Excited chatting gave way to snoozing after an hour, and most were able to rest a bit on the comfortable bus. The American cemetery was very informative and moving. Hannah remembered that her grand-father was one of the soldiers that landed on Omaha beach (but one of those who made it back to the US, fortunately). Kids looked for and found names of Oregon's soldiers. I am glad that I was finally able to take a group of students to this great and humbly site.
We then made it to Bayeux, our first hotel. Not great standard, but good, and most said they slept well. Diner was alright, not great, but I am sure families will cook them great meals. Breakfast was good, and everyone ate well.....
