ST ANDREW'S/ST JOHN'S MATRIC TOUR TO FRANCE ~ APRIL 2005
9 April 2005 D Day!
With great excitement, everyone gathered at Johannesburg International at 3.30pm and the check-in procedure ran extremely smoothly. We regrouped after passing through passport control and discussed various issues before dispersing to either browse through the tax free boutiques or simply to sit down and relax for a while! There was great excitement boarding the plane and we were seated in the front section, which was great! The stewards and stewardesses were helpful and being immersed in the French language and culture from the outset was a wonderful advantage .
Written by: Jenny Peddle
10 April 2005 Our first day in Paris
We arrived ahead of schedule at 6.00am and were greeted by 4 chauffeurs who had been sent from Accord, Ecole de Langues. Everyone was delivered to the front door of their host family, where they were warmly welcomed into their homes. The School has paid particular attention to placing our students with attentive parents who will take special care of your children. The girls and boys spent the morning relaxing and getting to know their families and then, in the afternoon everyone made their first journey on the metro. We were supposed to meet at 3.00pm at Charles de Gaulle Etoile station, but Philip and Jonathan were a little delayed --- but all was fine in the end! Everyone marvelled at the stunning view of the imposing Arc de Triomphe before continuing down the Champs Elysees to La Place de la Concorde. Thereafter, we had a 'practice run' to Accord, to make sure that everyone knew how to get there in the morning, since they need to be there by 8.00am sharp! Everyone seems very happy with their families and there was concensus that an early night after supper would be a good idea. Please be assured that your children are placed in very good areas and are in safe hands!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
11 April 2005 What a full day!
They negotiated their own way to school on the metro and the boys were very proud that they were the first to arrive (made up for yesterday!) They were given a written and oral test, on the basis of which they were placed in groups to suit their individual ability. I worked in the Staff room and checked on them during the tea break -- they all seemed fine, except Hilois who feels she would like to move up a level. This has been organized. It is really an adult experience and they are all coping so well---bravo! After school, we went for a cruise on the river Seine and then up to the 3rd floor of the Eiffel Tower. The view was magnificent --how lucky we are that the weather is beautiful, with sunshine and clear skies. Then we took the RER to the Latin Quarter on the left bank, where we wandered around for an hour before returning home for dinner. Everyone is having a wonderful time and really growing from the experience.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
12 April 2005 The sights of Montmartre
What a wonderful day everyone had today! Classes in the morning were interesting and stimulating, surrounded by so many other foreign students. At 1.00pm we made our way to the Grands Magasins, where we marvelled at the splendour of Galeries Lafayettes and the people who could afford ro pay such outrageous prices! We settled for purchases from the stalls on the street! We then made our way to Montmartre, where we spent an enthralling few hours in this famous quartier. We spent some special time at Sacre Coeur, before wandering amongst the artists at La Place du Tetre and then continuing on to see the Moulin Rouge. Not surprisingly, we also saw a few sights which shocked us and the memory of " LA chaise" will remain with us all forever!! The group has bonded so well and there is much laughter and comraderie. We decided to all have a meal together in one of Paris' most famous restaurants, Chartier, which dates back to 1897. What a wonderful experince and the decor made us feel like we were in a completely different era. At 9.00pm we all parted in high spirits, having thoroughly enjoyed our day.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
13 April 2005 Guided Tour of Le Louvre
Classes are really challenging and anecdotes abound in the corridor, where students from all over the world congregate. The guided tour of the Louvre was scheduled for 3.30pm and a wonderful few hours were spent in the company of a charming and knowledgeable guide. After this we wandered past the Hotel de Ville and the Georges Pompidou Centre, before making our way home. Everyone has grown in confidence and all have mastered the Metro system with ease.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
14 April 2005 A free afternoon to explore
Since I will not be with the group when they board the TGV to the south on Sunday, I insisted that we visit Gare de Lyon for a trial run! We all went to Notre Dame, after which everyone was given the choice to explore their favourite part of Paris, based on what they had already seen. They have been afforded a large degree of independence, but they have always been aware of the strict parameters -- all sms'd in the evening when they were back with their host parents!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
15 April 2005 The opulence of Versailles
The end of a wonderful week at Accord and everyone has received a course certificate, which they say they are going to frame! After some lunch, the group boarded the RER to Versailles, where they spent an enriching afternoon marveling at the opulence and extravagance of this palace and the gardens. With a full day at EuroDisney planned for tomorrow, I suggested that the evening be spent packing and chatting to their host parents. However, I feel sure that some 'serious' shopping will precede this!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
16 April 2005 Disneyland Paris
Today I left for Grenoble, which was a winter wonderland of snow and apparently quite unusual for April. My 'spring' wardrobe was hardly suitable! The rest of the group met in front of the school and then together took the RER B to Disneyland Paris, where they spent a wonderful day. Zhe and Madame, however, were not too adventurous and preferred to keep on terra firma! After a spectacular parade down the Main Street, they made their way home to do some last minute packing, in preparation for their early morning departure.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
17 April 2005 TGV to the South of France
A taxi had been organized by the school for the station transfer and everyone met at Gare de Lyon at 8.30am. The TGV was a wonderful experience for everyone and a relaxing way to view the ever-changing countryside. I arrived in Antibes before the group and was on the platform to greet them upon their arrival. I had already met Carine, the "animatrice" who has been designated to our group and she is young, energetic and very organized! I also met the host families at the station and they seemed lovely. They welcomed your children into their family and then drove them back home, where they all enjoyed some pampering and a relaxing evening. The weather is lovely and the Cote d'Azur is a superb place to be!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
18 April 2005 Tour of Antibes
The host families guided the children to school this morning and classes started at 9.00am. There are a lot of international people at the school and there is obviously a different 'vibe' from Paris although the pedagogy works on the same principle. They have all learnt so much about life on this tour and each and everyone of them has acted with decorum and maturity. Delicious sandwiches and cool drinks were on offer at the school and at 1.30pm we all met with Carine to do a walking tour of Antibes and Juan les Pins. It is such a beautiful part of the world and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and early evening excursion.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
19 April 2005 Visit to Cannes
Bon anniversaire a Tammy! She was delighted to arrive at school and be showered with so many presents and good wishes. At 1.30pm we all met at the station and, in the company of our animatrice, Carine, we took the train to Cannes. After a wonderful tour of the old town, Le Suquet, which boasts an indescribably beautiful view of the bay, they were given free time to go to the beach or shop. it was a perfect day and the weather was marvellous. In the evening the group went out to dinner to celebrate the birthday, but all respected the curfew time of 10.00pm and sms'd us to tell us they were home safe and sound. They have been a delightful group to chaperone and they have all grown very close.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
20 April 2005 Trip to Nice
No formal excursion was planned for the group today, so after school they decided to take the train to Nice. The city is preparing for an underground transport network and, whilst the extensive roadworks certainly were invasive, they didn't spoil the outing at all!
Written by: Jenny Peddle
21 April 2005 The Principality of Monaco
After school today, everyone met at the station and boarded a train to Monaco. All, except Madame who had the sense to take 'le petit train', puffed and panted their way up to the palace! It was a very moving experience to see the vast array of flowers, which had been placed in front of the palace, in memory of Prince Rainier. He was obviously a much loved friend to all the Monegasques. They joined a long line of tourists at the Cathedral and filed past where he and Princess Grace have been laid to rest. After walking through the exotic gardens, there was some time to shop for souvenirs before catching the train back to Antibes.
Written by: Jenny Peddle
22 April 2005 All good things come to an end!
The children will be given their certificates today and then we are off to spend our last afternoon in Grasse. This will probably be my last diary entry and I am overwhelmed by a sense of fulfillment and joy. This has been a wonderful tour and the children have been superb. They have conducted themselves with decorum and benefited enormously from this experience. I would also like to thank Heather for being a wonderful friend and chaperone - it has been a very happy and successful tour. We depart Nice tomorrow afternoon at 16h35 and then have some time in Paris, before our departure at 23h15. Our estimated time of arrival at Johannesburg International is 09h40 on Sunday morning. So, as the French say --- au revoir et a la prochaine!
Written by: Jenny Peddle