2008 SBHS
French Exchange

Sunday, March 2

Today was our last day in Paris, and in France. We visited Versailles, and saw the major attractions there, like the Hall of Mirrors, and the various ornately decorated rooms there. Unfortunately for us, there was a lot of renovation going on at that period; so much of Versailles’s beauty was hidden by scaffolding. Otherwise, Versailles was impressive, the size and grandeur of that palace is hard to convey. After lunch at McDonald’s, we had a free period, which most people used to do either their last minute shopping, i.e., picking up souvenirs, visiting the Saint Chapelle, and Notre Dame, which we didn’t get to do. After dinner, we took a short visit to the Louvre, for one last photo-op, and then back to our hotel.

-Nathanael Lee

 

The long flight home provides ample opportunity to catch up on homework assignments.

Friday, Feb. 29

Today involved a lot of walking, but amazing still. The morning consisted of our first journey into the Métro which brought us to the Musée d’Orsay. There we saw the Impressionist collection with a French guide Jean-Marc, and we had free time after to wander and visit other sections. After lunch in the street-side « sandwicheries, » we had our much-anticipated visit of la Tour Eiffel. We ventrured all the way to the top floor, took pictures and bought souvenirs in the gift shops on the first and second levels. The elevator rides were quite unnerving! That night, we ate at the Jardin Notre Dame restaurant with a view of the cathedral’s gothic façade. We took the Métro down to the Pond d’Alma from which we took a quick look at the Tower’s glittering lights before our ride on the Bateau Mouche. On board we had an hour tour on the river with a brief audio description of the famous buildings on the banks of the River Seine. From the boat we had a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower more than once (the star of our day), as well as the Louvre Palace, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame and even a small Statue of Liberty.

-Chelsea Paige

Thursday, February 28

Today started with our group meeting at the Périgueux train station to say good-byes. Everyone seemed to share the same mixed feelings. We were happy because we would soon be in Paris, but we were also sad to be leaving our correspondants. After many tearful good-byes we hopped on our train to Bordeaux where we transferred to the TGV for Paris. We sat in this train in a a daze watching the French countryside fly by at more than 200mph. When we arrived it was hard t believe we were actually in Paris. We met our guide, Houba, then hopped on our big purple coach that would be ours for the day. After unloading the the Hotel Excelsior, we got back on the bus to visit the city’s hot spots with another guide Vincent. We had never seen so many amazing structures and views in such close proximity to one another. After, we had dinner at Le Port Salut. We all agreed that the chocolate mousse there was the best we had ever had. The evening finished with a quick walk down to see the façade of Notre Dame de Paris all lit up for the night.

- Aaron Rovner

February 27

Today was our last day in Périgueux. Many of us slept in late because of the late farewell party last night. Around lunch time, most of us met at a café downtown. Some people did a little shopping after, but we all gradually made our way to Valentin’s house (Aaron’s correspondent). We all played foosball and listened to music, trying to interact with everybody and make the most of our final time together. There were some tears, but not for long as we tried to spend our remaining time happily. Most students spent their time « en famille » this night, visting relatives or going our for a last dinner in town before going home to finish any last-minute packing and preparing for our transfer to Paris.
-Ryan

February 26

Today was our second to last day in Périgueux. We started off the morning by visiting the Conseil Général, the region’s seat of government. Here we were given the chance to learn more about how the Dordogne region is managed and the politics. We also had the opportunity to to tour the building which was filled with beautiful decorations and artwork. Later in the afternoon, all the French and American students went on a bowling excursion. We finished the day with a farewell dinner for the American students. This was organized by the French students, parents and teacher-chaperones and it included music, games dancing and a large cake shaped like an Eiffel Tower. Everyone brought something yummy to eat, and the disc jockey played mostly music that involved an American theme. Everybody danced and celebrated our wonderful time together in Périgueux.
-Layne Schwab

February 25

The Americans started off the morning by visiting Saint Emilion with our seven chaperones. When we got there, we were greeted by our tour guide, the grandson of the winery’s owner. He gave us information about the vineyard, then we got to see the huge vats where the grape juice is fermented, the room where the wine is aged in oak barrels, the storage area where the bottled wine is kept and the machine that harvest the ripe grapes. We finished the tour by entering the building and having a « dégustation olfactive, » or wine sniffing. Then, we went into the village for a picnic and to explore the streets. Saint Emilion was an actual historical figure who lived in a cave on top of which there is a small chapel dedicated to his memory. Finally, it was off to Bordeaux where we got a bus tour to orient us and where we spent two and half hours shopping and walking along a pedestrian street (rue St. Catherine if nearly a mile long.) We finished the day with dinner at Chez les Ploucs (the country bumpkins) which was very good and featured a great guitarist playing popular French songs. Many of us sang along and the atmosphere was wonderful.

February 23-24

Saturday 23
In the morning, the group gathered at the Mairie de Périgueux (Town Hall) for an official formal welcome from Mayor Darcos, who is also currently the Minister of Education. The whole group was very impressed by the warm welcome he and his assistant gave. There were many photographers and even a camera crew as M. Darcos is currently running for re-election. After, many people milled around the open market with their hosts and got to see all the fresh produce and many food products for sale there. (This is not a good place to be duck !) Virginie and I did some shopping too. That night, she and I went out to a local club along with Bella and her correspondent. The disco was very fun and we danced all night. It was interesting because it is popular for young people to go dancing here but not so much in the U.S.
Saturday after the mayor’s welcome, some of us went to Erwan's parents' restaurant to eat crepes which were very good. The rest of the day we played various games at the park. Sunday, Several families went sight-seeing around the various castles of the region, while others went to the beach on the Atlantic coast. Many of us slept in late to catch up on much needed z's.
-Jacqueline Stevens & Austin Young

Sunday 24
Today, a group of students and their host families went to the Dunes of Pylan on the Atlantic Coast. It was about a two and a half hour drive but we entertained ourselves by listening to music and talking in French. Upon arriving at the park, we had a picnic lunch on the grass. Later we tried to race up the dunes, but it was exhausting so we gave up on that idea. From the top we took many pictures and some of walked down to the shore. We also ate ice cream and found some souvenir shops. The ocean air was very tiring but it was an extremely fun day.
-Jennifer Stevens

February 22

February 21

Today was another day for our exposés. Some students presented before middle school students at the collège, some others at IUT, a branch of the university, and most of us for the high-schoolers at Laure-Gatet. This afternoon there was a choreographed dance presentation in the library lobby after lunch where some French students danced Western-style to « Cotton-Eye Joe » and other country music. The boys demonstrated touch football in the courtyard, also part of Mr. Malbernard’s exhibit on American citizenship. After classes and presentations were over, we continued the fun with our correspondants at home. I played badminton with Bérengère’s younger sister and brother before heading out to Tan Phat, an Asian restaurant for dinner with the whole family. Others went to a show at night with their host families, a mixed venue involving different musical and comic acts.
-Stephanie Chan

February 20

Today was an early morning for all because we had an 8 am departure from Laure-Gatet high school. After about an hour and a half bus ride, we arrived at Oradour. We took a tour of the museum for a couple of hours and we found it surprising and interesting. Everyone was very happy when we heard it was then time for our picnic lunch after such a long morning. However, we were even more happier when we were surprised with birthday treats for Lane Kisonak who turned 17. After lunch, we took a tour of the village. It was ver depressing to see all of the wreckage and destruction and it is hard to imagine that it was all caused by human beings. At the end of the tour, there was a cemetery and a memorial of the people who died there. The memorial was very sad because that is where all the belongings, like childrens' bikes, spoons, and watches were kept after the tragedy. There were also walls of marble engraved with the names of women and men who died and thier ages, ranging from infants to elderly women and men. All in all, it was a memorable experience had by all and it was a good opportunity to reflect upon the past and remember to always appreciate what you have.

Much later after our return, there was an inauguration ceremony for the French students’ exhibit on « Citizen Ken, » a project headed by M. Malbernard to catalogue the French students’ experiences in New York and Vermont. The exhibit featured virtual tours of Ellis Island, original documentation, a section on the Broadway Show « Chicago » and many pictures and other features. There was a toast to everyone’s contributions and recognition of many former teachers and administrators who supported the exchange over the years and a giant cake everyone enjoyed immensely.
-Jacqueline Craig

February 18
Today was a pretty early morning for most students. After arriving at the school (by all different means of transportation), we met in Room 4. There we had a quick check-in with the teachers to make sure everything was going well and we made sure our presentations worked here. After the check-in, the American students talked and waited for our correspondents to return from their first class. Most students went to the next class (history for me)and then went back to the room until the welcome drink. At the « pot d'accueil » the Laure Gatet administrators welcomed the Americans and everyone had orange juice. There was a reporter from the local paper and Mr. Juneau gave the principal a large American flag and a Rebel yearbook featuring the exchange from two years ago. After, we all had an American lunch in the cafeteria (french fries, hamburgers, chicken wings...). Then the American students got to do a scavenger hunt in Périgueux. We had to find things such as une ficelle (a small baguette), what time the post office was open, etc. After finishing the « rallye, » we returned to Salle 4 and waited for our correspondents to finish their classes (which ended at 6pm). Everyone returned home after and sat down for a French dinner.
-Zoe Iasilli

Marc Juneau, SBHS TIE France lead teacher, presents an American flag to the Lycee Laure-Gatet.	A scavenger hunt helps students become more familiar with Périgueux.
Everyone listens as Madame Mathieu-Broizat speaks of the importance of TIE.
After the ceremony, it's time for the drink.	A glass of orange juice represents the "Welcome Drink."

There's always room for delectable pastries.

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The French countryside with grazing cows, cornstalk-stubbled fields and winding roads greatly resembles that of Vermont until you reach a town.

samedi/dimanche, le 16 & 17 février

On Saturday, everyone was able to sleep in which was great. That afternoon, some students decided to go shopping (it was the last day of the sales!). There was probably twenty of us who went downtown. At the end, we stopped at a café and got hot chocolates, etc. which was very French and an excellent experience. On Sunday, everyone went caving!! We split into two groups, one going earlier and eating after, and the second group doing just the opposite. Caving was quite an experience!! We all received full body jumpsuits and helmets with an open flame! We had to crawl around in small holes and climb up and down the cave. It was very fun, but not what anyone was expecting!! That afternoon, some of us went to see our first castle (Le Chateau de Castlenaud). We were able to tour all around the castle and it was amazing to see all of it. Check it out!: http://www.castelnaud.com/castelnaud/htmgb/diapo.html

-Kristen Ignaszewski

 

February 17

The French and American students bonded today by a session of caving, which involved donning blue jumpsuits and helmets with open flames and taking a short hike up a hillside and then descending into deep, dark caves. It was quite an experience (in a gooway) a was visiting the castles later in the afternoon. We went to Castlenaud, possibly the most majestic castle in all of Périgord and later, Beynac. France remains sunny, abnd the experience continues to be amazing.
-Lane Kisonak

Exchange participants and willing family members don jump suits and helmets with gas-powered lighting for a caving experience near St. Cirq and Madelon.

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February 15, 2008