What a
week! There was literally something every day.
Wednesday,
our first day back was filled with our usual classes in the morning. But when
we returned from lunch, we discovered that we had to vacate our classrooms. The
national driving test was scheduled for that afternoon in our large meeting
room. This happens several times every year. But this time, no one informed us
of it.
But we made
the best of it. We practiced the national anthems of both countries that we
knew we had to sing the next day. And the dance groups practiced their
routines. We adjourned a bit early, but it all worked out.
Thursday,
we had our classes in the morning, then lunch. Then we practiced again the
national anthems. The ceremony was set for 5:00 pm.
Of course,
France being France, there was a protest that blocked the tram. And there was a
tram/vehicle accident. So some of our students who planned to arrive early to
the ceremony, arrived just in time or just a bit late.
But it all
went off wonderfully as planned. Aaron presented the memorial flowers to
Jean-Paul and Sophia, who then presented them to the assembled veterans, along
with the mayor and the sous-prefect (sort of like a county judge, only
military).
July 4 Ceremony, Brest (Click on the link for a video.)
We had a
wonderful small reception afterwards. There were just a few families that were
able to attend. (Many French people work until 6:00 or 6:30 pm.) But it was a
nice time for students and host families to interact.
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| Chase and Nathan with Nathan (and Aaron's) mère d'acceuil. She is so proud of her "boys' band." |
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| Mason with Corinne, son mère d'acceuil. |
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| Annie and Bruno, Natalie's "parents" Be sure to ask Natalie about the shoe trick Bruno pulled on her. |
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| I'm supposed to tell everyone that this is my French fiancée. |
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