LE ROCHETON - GRADES 10 AND 11 ~ JULY 2003
5 July 2003 D Day
After months of anticipation, D day had finally arrived! At the airport everybody was excited, yet nervous at the same time. We said our last goodbyes and then we were finally off to Paris, with Rachel's cameral rolling! Nobody could sleep on the flight as the excitement built up and so we took full advantage of the entertainment on board.
Written by: Farah Moosa
6 July 2003 Arrival at le Rocheton
Bienvenue a Paris! We were met by the Director of the International French Language School and boarded a coach to the residence, Le Rocheton, 50kms south of Paris. After dinner we had our first meeting with the teachers/ animateurs and were introduced to the other students from all over the world. All quite daunting!
Written by: Farah Moosa
7 July 2003 Our first day -phew!
The "big" test day where we were assessed on both our written and spoken French. Everyone was really nervous about this and we all asked Farah last minute questions! It was really no big deal and once it was over, we were placed in one of seven groups, according to our ability. We were also asked to specify our preferences for the "workshop" activities and these seemed like fun!. Then, off to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and a few of us even walked down the stairs instead of using the elevators! A cruise on the Seine (which was absolutely amazing), followed by a quick picnic dinner and then the famous Champs Elysees! We had our first ice-creams and even asked for, and paid for them in French!
Written by: Farah Moosa
8 July 2003 Made so many new friends
Our first real lessons this morning and the French speak so fast! In the afternoon we enjoyed our workshop activities which were followed by some tennis, basketball and relaxing by the pool at a nearby sports centre. We have made so many friends from all over the world – Germany , Belgium, Mexico, America, Australia, Italy, Spain, Poland etc! The sun only sets after 10pm so the days are long and the weather, superb!
Written by: Farah Moosa
9 July 2003 Paris by night
Lessons in the morning and after lunch we were off to Paris again, where we had a guided tour of the Louvre and it was amazing to see "La Jaconde". A picnic supper in the gardens of the Tuileries and then a view of Paris by night from the coach...saw the Eiffel Tower with all its lights ---dazzling!
Written by: Farah Moosa
10 July 2003 A day at leisure
After classes and workshops, we had the afternoon at leisure and we went to the sports centre with the whole group from Le Rocheton. Playing sport is such a good way to interact and to make friends – makes you lose your inhibitions!
Written by: Farah Moosa
11 July 2003 Fontainbleu
After lessons we went to Fontainbleu and had a guided tour of the Chateau-- all in French though, ssshhhh... Farah did some translating for those of us who were in her group! Napoleon's bed is a must-see! The rest of the afternoon was spent at leisure in Fontainbleu and most of us visited the local Monoprix, heading straight for the shelves of 'Pain au Chocolat'! Just a hint --- if you need to use the toilet at the Chateau of Fontainbleu, not only do you have to pay for them, but they're locked at 5.00pm!
Written by: Farah Moosa
12 July 2003 A lovely relaxing day
Lessons even on a Saturday! The rest of the day was spent at leisure, bonding as a group as well as with all our many new friends.
Written by: Farah Moosa
13 July 2003 Sunday mass at Notre Dame
Off to Paris for the day, with a picnic lunch and snack. First we visited Notre Dame – what a beautiful Sunday morning mass – and then we made our way to Montmartre, where we given a questionnaire with clues to find certain things in this famous district. Sacre Coeur is absolutely amazing, but be warned, you have to climb lots of stairs!!! In the Place du Tertre, some of us had our portraits painted – an expensive keepsake!
Written by: Farah Moosa
14 July 2003 Bastille Day
Bastille Day – the French National Holiday and a day of rest for us! We spent it socializing and relaxing with our new friends and after dinner we were treated to cokes, sweets and chocolates!
Written by: Farah Moosa
15 July 2003 An amazing day!
Back to the classroom this morning! In the afternoon we went to la Villette, a really 'cool' science museum and then at 5pm there was a show at the Planetarium -- what an awesome show about stars and constellations! We had our picnic dinner outside and then it was time to see "Adrenalin Rush"(all in French!) at La Geode, which is like an Imax cinema, but the screens are curved as the whole complex is shaped like a ball.. This was really incredible!
Written by: Farah Moosa
16 July 2003 Movies in Paris!
After lessons, we went into Paris to watch a movie as it was raining and not a good day to go out and play sport. We watched "Les Triplettes de Belleville" – an animated, modern day, movie that had just been released! .
Written by: Farah Moosa
17 July 2003 Disco night!
Our last day of lessons and so we had a fun day where we had to do activities in groups, such as wheelbarrow races, making advertisements, creating a song about Le Rocheton in French, miming structures in Paris, identifying which objects belonged to which teachers and also having a fun questionnaire/quiz! Then, after lunch, we were off to Paris for the final time and everyone managed to get their last minute presents before it was time to return to Le Rocheton for dinner, after which, we had a prize-giving and everyone received their certificates from ACCORD, ECOLE DE LANGUES! Then it was time for the disco, with a professional DJ from Berlin, and this was a night none of us will forget. Everybody danced (even the teachers!) and we had a fabulous time!
Written by: Farah Moosa
18 July 2003 Disneyland Paris!
An early start for Disneyland Paris, returning only at 1.00am on Saturday morning! What a fun-filled day we had – the highlights most definitely being Space Mountain and the Indiana Jones (backwards) rides, not forgetting the parades on Main Street and the awesome fireworks display to end the evening!
Written by: Farah Moosa
19 July 2003 Fond farewells to our new friends
We only got to bed at 3am after trying to do some packing and say last minute goodbyes to people who would be leaving really early. We didn't get much sleep and were up by 8am for breakfast and to say more goodbyes to everyone. I can hardly believe that it's time to say farewell already to this Summer School and to our amazing new friends from all over the world -- we're definitely going to keep in touch, and our address books are full! Finally, it was time to say goodbye to Paris, but not for long-- we're all definitely going to return soon!
Written by: Farah Moosa
20 July 2003 Thank you!
Jenny met us all in Johannesburg and we were all bursting with exciting stories! We babbled on for three hours whilst we waited for our plane to Durban and there was no doubt that this trip had been a resounding success! The end of the tour was so emotional –-- we were really happy to see our families again and yet so sad to leave all our friends with whom we shared so much for the past two weeks. Most of us came from different schools and yet we bonded so well and will be good friends for life. It was a joy to chaperone such a lovely group and I know how much they appreciated having me there with them as a friend and mother-figure! Jenny, without you, none of this would have been possible and thank you for your superb organization and all the effort you put into our trip! We reall y feel so privileged to have had this opportunity and thank our parents so much for allowing us to be a part of this amazing experience.
Written by: Farah Moosa