Days 1 and 2: Home to Paris, France

Days 1 and 2 (June 30, 2004 - July 1, 2004) USA-Paris, France

We left Grand Rapids at 7:04 and arrived at Detroit on time . We were suppose to leave at 9:15 p.m., but due to multimedia problems, we were 1 ¾ hours late. Still, the multimedia was worth it, as each person could play games, watch their own movie, or listen to their own music at their seat.

Going through the Airport in Paris

We arrived in Paris a half hour late. After getting through customs and getting our luggage, we met our tour director Luigi Sorrentino (or Gigi). We managed to get to the bus and got to the place we were staying in Paris, the B&B hotel, which was outside the city. After some rooming logistic problems, everyone was settled in to wait until we got together to go to supper.

We ate supper at Flams, a food chain that serves flams, which are similar to pizza. Dessert was even served on flam. The topping was either chocolate or apple and cinnamon.

We came back to the hotel and decided who would go on a trip tomorrow evening to see the Eiffel tower, a night bus trip of Paris, and a boat tour (using the bateaux mouches). Many people wanted to see the Eiffel tower still, and so fifteen of us took to the Metro again and went.

The participants started to catch the hang of how to use the Metro. The students enjoyed seeing the people, especially the spanish singer who serenaded us.

We went up to the Eiffel tower and Paid €10.40 to take the elevator up to the top. The views were spectacular.

After spending some time there, we shopped a little and headed home. The group was pretty tired and went to bed gladly.

 

The gang in front of the Eiffel Tower

The views of Paris from atop the Eiffel tower

Day 3: Paris, France

Day 3 (July 2, 2004) Paris, France

The majority of the people slept like rocks. It was a refreshing but short sleep. These were the people going on the trip from Saranac:

• William Poortenga 
• Ben Patton 
• Kayla Sherwood 
• Ann Newell
• Renee Reed 
• Katie Jourdan 
• Emily Smith 
• Lori Reynolds
• Jessica Newell 
• Lauren Simpson 
• Doug Abel 
• Terrie Abel
• Monty Jo Simpson 
• Laura Hayden 
• Ali Nink 
• Mike Cahoon
• Adam Tarrant 
• Laura Cochrun 
• Mike Lamphere
• Meggan Wiles

We came down for breakfast at 8:00. It was a little more than a typical continental breakfast, including bacon and eggs as well as cereal. We got on the bus at 9:00 and took off for the tour of Paris.

A speaker who knew her history of France and Paris got on board and spoke to us. Some things I learned was that the Latin quarter in Paris was so named because it was where the students and professors of the university lived and they spoke Latin to each other outside class. I also learned that Napoleon built buildings that copied similar building styles in Rome.

Adam Tarrant in front of Notre Dame Cathedral

Ali Nink and Mike Cahoon at the center of Paris, by Notre Dame Cathedral 

Mike Cahoon posing near The Eiffel tower

We got off at Notre Dame and looked around for a few minutes. We got back on the bus and finished the tour. Afterwards, the groups parted, with the majority going to see Verasilles.

The first place we visited was the Arc de Triomph, only because Mike C wanted to find the Harley Davidson bike shop. We found the shop, got a patch for his neighbor, and then looked around.That left Mike Lamphere, Mike Cahoon, Ali Nink, and Katie Jourdan with me, and so we explored Paris.

For lunch, I got them to try a Croque Monsieur, which is basically a hot ham and cheese sandwich covered with cheese.

Katie Jourdan, Mike Cahoon, Mike Lamphere, and Ali Nink trying the Croque Monsieur

Katie Jourdan at the Arc de Triomph

Afterwards, we went to Montmartre and visited the highest point in Paris, the church Sacred Heart. We rested after climbing all the stairs and saw the wonderful view. We looked in and saw a mass going on inside. Tourist were going inside, touring the building. They left the center of the church and the mass participants alone.

We stopped for a drink at one of the local restaurants to rest and watch some of the world go by us. It sprinkled rain a little bit, but we were dry under the little canopy.

The views of Paris from Sacred Heart

We leisurely walked down the hill, looking at touristy stuff to see what we wanted to buy. We had to meet Gigi and the rest of the group at 6:00 One of the students wanted to see the Moulin Rouge, and so luckily, we were within walking distance. It was my first time in this part of the district and I found out what kind of area it is. After looking around, we decided to go to the rendez-vous point to meet the others for supper. We were early so we explored the area.

We ate at the Esplade, and had a choice of chicken or beef. It's always interesting to see how the students react to their first cultural meal. After the meal, some of the group left to go on the Paris by night tour, where they would see the aforementioned boat tour, Eiffel tower, and the city of lights by night. The rest of us did some more shopping before going back to the hotel. Everyone was still tired and so it was not a problem to go to bed. The Paris by night group got home at 1:00 a.m. They said that the Paris night life was still going. 

Day 4: Paris, France

Day 4 (July 3, 2004) Paris, France

We got to sleep in until breakfast, which was 9:00 a.m. We had to pack our luggage, as it was kept in one room at the hotel while we were gone. After breakfast, we took the metro to the hotel de ville, or city hall. We walked around for an hour and a half in Paris. We passed a museum that featured the history of Paris and a museum devoted to the history of France. We also saw other places with nice gardens and grounds.

The students commented on how bad traffic was in Paris. They saw how some people didn't exactly follow the rules, creating chaos. The subway ran very well and it was an easy way to get around Paris. A ticket was about one euro to go from place to place in and around Paris.

The walking tour was done at around noon and so we received out tickets for the Louvre. Adults had to pay but students were free. Instead of going in, we decided to eat lunch first. The group walked around near the Louvre and found a place to eat lunch.

We entered in and went to see part of the Louvre. The kids wanted to see the Mona Lisa first, so we headed in that direction. After seeing that, the students continued until their interest started to wane. Sooner or later, I had Ali, BJ, Ben, Kayla, Jessica, and the Abels.

Getting ready to go into the Louvre Doug and Terrie Abel with the crowd watching the Mona Lisa

We saw such things as the Winged Victory and the medieval castle part, which was originally what the Louvre was. It had been the home of the Kings and Queens of France. We saw the temporary exhibition Delacroix and the story of Dante and Virgil in Hell.

We lasted until 4:00 p.m. and started to head back to the hotel. We got our stuff and got on the bus. We had a chicken dinner and I got to talk to our guide Luigi (Gigi) Sorrentino. He has taught in Morocco, Italy, and France. The subjects he teaches are Italian, French, and Art History. He enjoys moving around, staying at a place for a few years and then moving on. He likes to work with people and is very personable.

We arrived at the train station Gare d"Austerlitz, and got on our couchettes for our 8:30 train. The kids were surprised at how small the compartments were, but not as surprised as I was when I found out there was only four to a room. There was a sink in each couchette and even the bathrooms were much nicer, a far cry from four years ago.

We played cards and talked until the wee hours of the morning, as the train traveled towards Barcelona, Spain.

In a couchette on the train to Barcelona (clockwise from upper left: Megan Wiles, Jessica Newell, Laura Cochrun, Ali Nink, Lauren Simpson, Katie Jourdan, and Kayla Sherwood

Day 5: Barcelona, Spain

Day 5 (July 4, 2004) Barcelona, Spain

We woke up in Barcelona, Spain on the train. Wake up time was early so that we could make the 7:00 a.m. breakfast time. It was in the dining car and it was a traditional continental breakfast. We packed up and arrived at Barcelona around 8:30 a.m.

	A view of Barcelona

We got on a bus and began a three hour plus bus tour of Barcelona. We noted that Barcelona is famous for its modernist architecture. Some of the buildings were designed oddly. Examples include a place was built like a castle and a store that had a wavy front. We also saw some of Barcelona's most famous son, Antonin Gaudi, works. We saw the Sagrada Famalia, the church that Gaudi was building. It is a work in progress and still could be going 20-50 years from now. Its funding is defined by people who give money for forgiveness of their sins. That can be the only reason money can be given for building the church. 

The gang at the Sagrada Familia

We also saw some other architecture in a section of town Gaudi and someone else bought. They created this suburb with the hopes of selling plots to everyone to buy. They were not successful because the culture here is that everyone wanted to live in the city, not the outside. I guess Barcelona is very social, where there is partying late at night.

Jessica Newell, Meggan Wiles, Mike Lamphere, Lauren Simpson, and Adam Tarrant in Barcelona

Kayla Sherwood and Ali Nink by the statue of Christopher Columbus in Barcelona

We went back to our hotel, the Catalina Suite, and got our stuff in our rooms. The rooms were very spacious and nice. Some of the kids wanted to eat right away and found some food in a nearby restaurant.

At about 3:00 p.m., fifteen of us went downtown via subway to the area of the Sagrada Familia. We had some helpful people on the subway, but discovered we did not buy enough tickets. We were taught how to do it correctly (you can buy on ticket and use it 10 times for an hour or so) and decided to walk to the area. It was a long walk and very warm. We found the area and shopped for an hour and a half. Satisfied, we took the subway back and had some misadventures. It was fun watching the kids figure out where to go and figure out how to use the subway chart. They also received help the the natives in Spanish. I did not do much other than follow, as I still had to fight my urge to speak french.

We got back in time for our 7:00 supper, which was a buffet featuring chicken, salad, and pasta. It was very good. It was getting late once everyone settled down after the meal. Some of the adults went out to explore and I played a game with most of the students and a few parents. It was the one where everyone wrote a name on a piece of paper and people had to guess the name. If the person's name was guessed, they joined the guesser's team. Meggan Wiles won twice.

Day 6: Barcelona, Spain

Day 6 (July 5, 2004) Barcelona, Spain

I did not get a wake up call and so I got up at 10 a.m. After hurrying up, we left at 10:30 for our walking tour of Old Barcelona. We walked down the street called Las Ramblas. It was full of energy and amusement. Besides the typical kiosks and restaurants, there were street performers. They would dress up in extensive outfits and stay in a stationary position until they received a coin. After that they would do an antic or pose for a picture. They would get quite irate or block some poses if someone would take pictures without paying.

Ali Nink posing with some of the street performers on Las Ramblas

On the tour, we passed through the gothic quarter, some churches, and went through the fruit/food markets at St. Josep.

We had one of two brief rain showers that made us hurry up and go to the pier and eat (around 1:00). We had a wonderful Spanish traditional meal called paella, which consisted of rice, chicken, seafood (calamari and mussel), and artichoke. Dessert was a type of pudding with burnt sugar on top.

Afterwards, we went up Las Ramblas again to go towards the Hard Rock Cafe and buy merchandise. A quick shower later, the group split up, with the majority deciding to go home and sleep a few hours. I took Ben and BJ and we took off towards the beach.

Again we took off down Las Ramblas and enjoyed the sights and sounds. We didn't make it to the beach, however. We got side tracked buying merchandise, playing at an arcade, and seeing an exhibit put on by some buddhas. We heard later that the beach was too dirty and not a place to go in the water. We arrived back at 7:00 and rested until our 9:00 meal.

After we ate, we had a brief rest until the bus picked us up at 10:30. We arrived another time at Las Ramblas, this time in a seedier part of town. I suspect some of the students might have seen their first lady of the evening. We were there early and so we wandered the streets again until show time. Once we got back, we were escorted inside to where the show was to be performed.

The Flamenco performance was good, with females and males dancing and tap dancing to the music. It was a good cultural experience for the students. It made me think about how different cultures can be in things such as dating and how girls and boys interact before getting married. It's easy to think that's how the world is by just living in your part of the world. It is necessary to see other people and examine their culture instead of hearing about it through the media. It is more powerful when you experience it yourself. The performance was done at 1:00 a.m. and so we headed home. The group was starting to mix up pretty well with the other groups from New York, California, and Connecticut.

Flamengo Dancing in Barcelona

Day 7: Barcelona, Spain to Provence, France

Day 7 (July 6, 2004) Barcelona, Spain -- Provence, France
We got up early and prepared to make a 9:30 bus trip back to France. Unfortunately, there was a big delay as the bus didn't show up on time. Part of the problem was that our Italian bus driver got lost in Barcelona. We left an hour and a half later and started towards France.

The bus was pretty quiet as people slept, read, or listened to music. We stopped to eat just before the French frontier and bought stuff like sandwiches, chips, and drinks. We traveled some more for a few hours before arriving at Carcassone to visit the castle. We spent a few hours looking at the castle that was also mixed with shoppes, hotels, and restaurants. We toured, looked around for an hour and a half and got on the bus to head for Orange.

Ann Newell at the entrance to the castle at Carcassone

	Riding the ponies outside Carcassone

We arrived at our place around 8:00 and got our room. We hurried to eat after that. The accommodations were more basic than my group was use to and so there was a lot of talk. The meal was salad, a pea/rice combination, cordon bleu, and French fries. For dessert, we had a cup of Flam again (the pudding with burnt sugar topping). The kids didn't last long at the table. Afterwards though, they went to a McDonalds restaurant which was a walk to the downtown.

I walked to the center of town to deliver my postcards and tried to call home. That was a disadvantage that the phone was so far away from the hotel. The smells in the city have been outstanding, as the scents of different plants along the route made a real difference. I came back to the hotel and helped some of the others with their phone cards since we were back to French. Afterwards, the kids played cards in their room while the adults sat outside and chatted.

Day 8: NImes and Cannes, France

Day 8 (July 7, 2004) Nimes and Cannes, France

We woke up and had petit dejuener. It was the typical continental breakfast along with cereal and milk. We left Orange earlier than scheduled and made our way toward Nimes.

Laura Hayden and Doug Abel inside the Amphitheater

Laura Cochrun, Meggan Wiles, and Lauren Simpson at the back row of the Amphitheater

We got to Nimes and saw a Roman style building (from the Roman Empire times) and saw the Amphitheater. The Amphitheater is a smaller version of the Coliseum in Rome, but better preserved. They've had concerts in their, including Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. In fact, an opera set was being set up as we visited. We got back on the bus and headed for the Pont de Gard. The bridge is also an Aqueduct which transported water to Nimes. We visited for about an hour and got back on the bus again.

Ben Patton and BJ Poortenga at the Pont de Gard

The Palace of the Popes

We went a few hours to Avignon. We saw the bridge that was missing a section off of it. This is the same bridge that is part of a famous rhyme in french. We saw the Palace of the Popes, a place where the Popes stayed when it was too dangerous for the papacy to stay in Rome. There was a history of the building and grounds, the Popes that lived there, and what they did during their time. I was one of the last ones in the palace, easily spending two hours listening to the explanations in English thanks to the little "listening phones" that we got. I walked around Avignon and almost got lost. I met the rest of the group at 3:00. Getting a Greek salad to go (€10) to go, we walked back to the bus and drive to Cannes. The three hour bus ride became longer because of a traffic jam caused by an accident on the free way. There was even a helicopter on the paved road.

We arrived at Cannes at 7:00 in front of the Pienne and Vaccances hotel near the beach. We ate first at a restaurant a few blocks away and got back in time for the thunderstorm. the storm discouraged the kids from going to see the city, but a few got wet to see the beach, which they liked.

I stayed in the middle of the hotel lobby and watched the world go by. I even had some pizza with Doug and Terrie Abel. After bed check, I did some laundry and got to bed early for our big day tomorrow.