|
Bowling Green High School
|
|||||
|
||||||
Final Free Day
Jan 2 @ 9:00 pm, Paris time - from Peg McClanahan Today was a day for independent exploration of Paris. Each group was provided with a museum and monument pass and a Metro pass. Most groups went to the Eiffel Tower in the morning. The pass was good for entrance to the 2nd level. It was a sunny morning, and we had a spectacular view of Paris. Although most students wanted to take the elevator to the 3rd level (for an extra charge) it was too windy and the upper level was closed. Many students and chaperones sent postcards from the Eiffel Tower as they have a special stamp cancellation, different than any other in Paris. Watch your mail boxes. Since there were so many tourists at the Tower, some of the groups got separated and there were a few anxious moments at the ground level while chaperones waited for all the students to return from the upper levels. Waiting for elevators was an ideal "smoosh" opportunity--something that can only be appreciated by those who have experienced it! All groups were eventually reunited, however, and tour groups started their activities for the rest of the free day. The afternoon was spent in tour groups. Some of the sights visited included Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, Napoleon's Tomb, the Latin Quarter, and the Arc de Triomphe. Shopping was also a popular activity as everyone was in search of gifts for family and friends. The day was cloudy and chilly, but again the rain held off most of the day, and we had great weather in which to explore Paris. Dinner back at the Hotel was spaghetti (a welcome change from chicken!), but many of the groups chose to spend the last evening eating out. It was a hard decision for some whether to eat one last time in a local restaurant or to go the an "American food" restaurant like TGIFriday's or Hard Rock Cafe. When the groups returned to the hotel, they checked in instruments and uniforms to be packed for the return trip tomorrow. As this is being written everyone is furiously packing. (How come my suitcase is so full?!) Tomorrow will be a long day of travel. The three travel groups leave the hotel between 5:30 and 10 AM to catch their planes for the USA. We hope everyone back home is ready to hear lots of amazing stories. It was very interesting (i.e. confusing) at times, travelling with 300 persons while coping with cultural and language differences. However, overall it was an enlightening experience for the students and adults alike. Parents, please fill your cupboards and refrigerators (no chicken or crusty bread please) before the arrival of your sons and daughters. They are all more than ready for some " home cookin"! We will see you all tomorrow. Bon Soir!
Band Booster Executive Board members
|
