Paris 2010 Day #1?

I included the question mark - because it feels like more than just one day that we just experienced!  But we made it and with NO problems.

We left the HS around 2:30pm and got to JFK around 4pm.   I arrranged for a bus from Top Class Limo and just said bring whatever can carry 23 people and they brought this "party bus" :).  The students wanted to play a "get to know you game" - so we all introduced ourselves with our full name and with what food we were most looking forward to eating in Paris.  Answers varied from "croissants" to" croque monsieur" to "anything that is put in front of me".

 We were at our gate at 4:30pm waiting for our 7:05pm fliight that didn't take off until 8:30pm.  We had 6 hours and 40 minutes to get through on the flight.  The students were SO excited that most couldn't sleep - they ended up watching their mini TVs that were in front of every seat with TV and movies on demand.  They also had a chat room function for passengers on the flight .. and were chatting with each other quietly.  Some did sleep - most maybe for about 30 minutes total.  I knew then we were in for a meltdown at some point today.

I was so impressed when I overheard a flight attendant talking to another passenger who was commenting on how quiet the American teenagers were - the flight attendant confirmed that and said that generally we were much more calm then the French or Italians might be.  Who knew?

I also had a "moment" when I heard Jared Winston talking to the people sitting next to him in French explaining what his trip was about, what he has been learning in French class.  It was a 20 minute conversation completely in French - and very impressive.  (Jared was awarded the first trips gold star for that one).

We get to Paris and meet up with our tour guide Fabien.  We load the bus and drive to the Arc de Triomphe.  Take some photos, walk up the 284 stairs to the top and see a beautiful but foggy Paris.  The famous Champs Elysees is in front of them!  I have to say the students were SO excited to see Paris and be in Paris.

But we are hungry.  We get some lunch on the Champs Elysees - some groups learn the order a carafe d'eau and not water otherwise you pay 10$ for the water - and head to the Seine for our Bateau Mouche Tour.  A glass boat gives a basic tour of the city.  Fabien said this was when the students would fall asleep.  To that point I had been amazed that we were all standing.  It was 8am US time on Friday .... no sleep and walking around Paris.

Well, sure enough some sleep occurred on the boat ... have to admit I did a little too - the boat was rocking and it's was and heated inside.  Be sure to click on the link for DAY 1 pictures and you will see what I mean.

After the boat tour it was time  to go up the Eiffel Tour.  Unfortunately due to the cold the cables that ran up to the 3rd/top floor were frozen and we wouldn't be able to go all the way up.  They tried to scrap the ice off to let the elevator go up - but I think it was best that we didn't.  It was about 2 degrees C all day.
We did enjoy the views from the 2nd floor though.

Finally it was time to head to Lisses to meet the french families!  It took us about 45 minutes by bus to get there ...and then each family arrived and took their students home for dinner.  This was where a little of the meltdown happened - they were exhausted, hungry again and a bit nervous to meet their French families.  But I have to say - they were (even during the mini meltdown) AMAZING!  Just great all day - such troopers and willing and ready to live life a la francaise!

The students every day will be driven to and from the train station where we meet up with them everyday by their host parents.  (Originally they were going to take the bus 1-2 miles to get to our meeting place) but for some reason that was changed in our favor.

Tomorrow we meet at 8:30am to take the RER commuter train into Paris for a day of Hotel Invalides, the Opera House and some shopping at Galeries LaFayette.

Feel free to post a comment for your student and I will pass the word along.  Students were able to get telephone cards today.

Day 1 photos