It certainly has been a whirlwind since we met in the Indianapolis Airport Wednesday afternoon. We had a bit of time to get to know one another before we boarded the airplane for Paris.

Soon enough, we were in the air for the eight hour flight. Some of us slept a bit, some watched movies, some chatted. Thank you Delta Airlines for keeping us fed!

We arrived at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle on time at 8:35 am, which was of course, 2:35 am back home. Welcome the first stages of jet-lag! And it was now officially FRENCH ONLY.

We arrived at the border check-in at the end of an incredibly long line. Soon they added more agents, and what seemed as if it would take hours, only took 20 minutes. We gathered our bags, exited and met Loïc, who lead us to our awaiting coach with Pascal, our personal driver.

By the time we were barely on the road, many of us were already dozing. Along the way, we stopped for lunch. It was there that many of the stagiaires got their first opportunity to use their French with real French people. They ordered their lunch on their own. And they got to witness their first Breton rain shower, which lasted just minutes rather than hours.

Shortly after 6 pm, we arrived at Moulin Blanc, our general meeting place just next to the Brest beach. After a quick photo, the stagiaires met their host families and were whisked away.

Friday morning, they gathered at Octroi, the building where we have classes (and where we teachers live). First up: placement exams. That done, they had another adventure taking to tram to lunch! They did really well considering few of them had ever used public transportation before.

They look really calm in the face of their first experience with public transportation.

They became acquainted with the huge portions of the cafeteria at L’Aile Michelet. After lunch it was a walking tour of the center of the city, then back to Octroi. We handled administrative details such as French cell-phone distribution (no, you can’t call them), emergency contact cards and insurance cards. Kind of boring if you are a teenager, but very important in the grand scheme. Then we sent them on their way.

Victoria and I escorted a few to various tram and bus stops, while Loïc waited with stagiaires who were being picked up. In spite of our best efforts, I understand that Ava and Ani had an adventure getting home. I don’t have all the details, but it involved stopping in a pharmacy looking for batteries (French pharmacies only deal in medicines and the like). In the end, they made it home safely before their 6:30 curfew.

Saturday they spent with their host families. Sunday there was an optional excursion to the Fête des Fraises (Strawberry Festival) in the nearby town of Plougastel. There was traditional Breton dancing and music and a strawberry-themed parade. It is a unique French small-town festival. We had seven stagiaires with us (Davia, Ani, Grace B, Gabrielle, Charlotte Sara, and Erin), and we saw Lilia, Luc, Roy and Emily who were there with their host families.

We waylaid a random bag piper to pose with us.
Davia doesn't really know how to play.

What could be cuter than small French children
dressed as strawberries?

They really seemed to enjoy the festival. I’m sure they are tired after all they have done in the last five days. They will sleep well tonight and be ready to start the new week fresh!

Except maybe small French children dressed in
traditional Breton costumes?

Of course, our kids are pretty cute!