Day 9 and Beyond: Memories of our future...how travel shapes us into who we are.

 

I like to sit down after a trip and reminisce about the experiences.  This blog actually sprung from that activity.  I first started writing "Where in the World is Mr. Lavoie?" in 2013 and here we are, nearly a decade later, and we still are going strong.

This past week has been an amazing one.  A few times today, I paused and reflected back on the different things we saw and experiences we had.  I needed this trip.  It definitely let me clear my mind and made me think back about my own time traveling as a high school student.  Today's entry is a quick review of what our trip home was like and a preview of our next adventure.  

This picture was taken at roughly 10:30am on Friday.  We felt triumphant and Covid-free.  We knew that we'd be headed home on Saturday filled with mixed emotions.  We would be happy to return to our normal routines, our families, our friends, and our own beds, but we also would miss these places.  At the end of Friday night, before our Metro troubles began, some of the kids got emotional speaking about how much this trip meant to them.  Some of us chaperones did too.  We had no idea that Saturday would be filled with anxiety as we scurried to make our way home.

We woke at our hotel in Paris after a stressful late night arrival.  The breakfast at the Ibis hotel was pretty good.  It was another buffet style option, but felt a little more modern.  They had mini crepes, French corn bread pastries called Madeleines, and fresh fruit salad.  Our group had to be divided into two sections due to our size and between 8-8:30 the kids funneled in and out of the dining area.  Our bus arrived and we began our trip to Charles De Gaulle airport.  We arrived with more than three hours before our departure.  When we entered, we saw a madhouse.  The terminal was absolutely packed.  It was difficult to determine which line to join to check-in and secure our baggage. Eventually, we got in the right spot and began getting our boarding passes.  This process was automated to make it simpler, but the system was not effective at all.  Some of the reservations of our travelers were lost and we needed manual assistance to complete our booking.  Eventually, we all got our bags checked and we joined the massive security line.  This is where we spent a bulk of our time. It crept forward, but only slowly.  Joanna eventually said goodbye to us and went off to complete her booking home.  

Our group at the Sacre Coeur

At one point, when it became apparent we'd be cutting it close, I made an executive decision to try and guarantee our return.  Air France agents had repeated come to me asking if I was traveling alone.  Apparently, they have a program for single travelers that lets them expedite security, kind of like our TSA Pre-Check.  Because I was with the kids, I kept on declining, but when we reached the actual snake part of the security line, I could see no one at the single traveler lane.  For whatever reason, my reservation was not the same as anyone else in the group. Chatting with Mrs. Comproni, I decided to go through the expedited line.  I literally crossed through customs and security in less than 5 minutes.  

Our group at the Eiffel Tower

The rest of the group continued to slowly eek their way to the custom's agents.  I was able to go to our gate, check with the gate agents, and then wait meet the kids as the crossed through security.  Our flight was halfway boarded before the first Saugus traveler got through...it was nerve wracking.  But, one by one, the kids and chaperones made it through...we had seconds to spare, but we all made it.  The Air France gate agents could sense the look of relief on my face as I followed our last student on to the plane.  We counted two or three times to make sure we didn't leave anyone behind and took our seats.

Our group striking a pose at the Louvre

At that moment, they came over the PA and announced a 30 minute delay because there were at least 50 other people stuck in line.  We eventually buckled our safety belts and headed home.  I watched a movie (I can't remember which one) and had the airplane lunch.  I then set my clock to Boston time and tried to take a power nap.  With about 45 minutes of sleep under my belt, I then watched some more videos and waited to land.  

Our Versailles guide asked a question to the kids.  She asked what they thought about the Mona Lisa.  Afterwards, she thought she'd trapped them when she said, who saw the painting across the hall from the Mona Lisa...at least four or five our kids said, "The big one?"  They took notice of their surrounding! I was so proud.

Security in Boston couldn't have been easier.  We zipped through custom and began getting our baggage.  Knowing how anxious the kids were to see their parents and guardians, I told them to go through security and meet their rides.  Eventually, all of our kids had their bags and I walked through the final doors of Terminal E with Michael to a mostly empty reception area.  We had done it.  We were home.

At the Pantheon with our last Gelatos in hand

This trip will definitely be locked into my mind as one that was extra special.  Covid really rocked me.  I hate that I couldn't travel with all of my Eurotrip2020 kids.  I was so very pleased to be able to get over to Europe this past week and to get everyone home safely. It is special for a totally different reason too, however, because it reminded of me how travel impacts us.

Most of us under the shadow of Vesuvius

Walking through the streets of Paris, one of the girls told me that she thinks she might major in French.  Saugus no longer offers this language, so to hear her say this melted my heart.  It was a conversation I had several years ago with a different Eurotripper too.  This type of thing makes travel worth it.

Friday night, one of the girls thanked me for putting this trip together.  I stopped her and thanked her.  I thanked all of the kids for making this trip special.  I thanked them for being great travel buddies and doing what we asked of them, for being on time, for traveling to learn.  This is the conversation that triggered some emotions in all of us.  Appreciating our now makes travel worth it.

Jon Luigi and his amazing self skills at the Coliseum. 

In Pompeii, I had a conversation with two of the kids about what the city must have felt like long before Vesuvius.  One of the girls said that she wants to go back and spend more time walking those ruins.  Another said, one a different day, that they want to go back to the Vatican museum, another, on yet another day, said they wanted to go back to the Louvre. The thing that jumped out at me is that these kids all, from my initial impression, seemingly would have been interested in shopping and selfies.  Don't get me wrong, they are, haha, but they changed during these 7 days.  They found a traveler's eye on a sunny day in Rome or under the twinkles of the Eiffel Tower.  The late nights and stressful departure was all worth it for these moments.

Catching our connection between Paris and Rome when Eurotrip22 was still in front of us.

I use the phrase, "One Must Travel to Learn" to market my trips to kids.  I truly think these kids caught that magic this past week.  A whole bunch said they'd be joining me next year for #Eurotrip23.  Even if they can't, I know that travel has impacted their lives forever...and that makes all travel worth it.

I will be taking the next few days to count receipts and cross reference them with donations before I send off any information regarding Covid testing costs to the kids and their parents, but I am already aware of a growing interest in travel at our school again. Three students joined our next trip while we were abroad.  We are up to 12 travelers, 8 of whom, I've never taught.  We will be starting back in Rome, but will head north to Florence and Pisa and Verona for a few days.  We will cross into Austria and spend a night in the Alps at Tyrol before headed to Germany.  In that beautiful country, we will good and evil as we see Neuschwanstein Castle and the concentration camp at Dachau.  Finally, we will go to one of Europe's hidden gems, Prague.  It is a longer trip than that which we just completed and the cities are very different than Paris.  Some of the destinations are new to me and some are among my favorite.  I don't like to think too much about a future trip until it is the only one in front of me...and that is where we are now.  #Eurotrip23 is next...I hope you will join me on that adventure too!

Terminal E...before Saugus arrived to travel to learn.

Mr. Lavoie, currently catching up on American TV while hoping he has enough energy to successfully combat Jet Lag before work tomorrow.

For information on #Eurotrip23 Italy and Germany click on the link.

Day 8: Magic and Mishaps...A wonderful night to end our journey!

Before I begin tonight's blog, I wanted to send a quick message home to the parents and guardians of our travelers.  We are back to our hotel.  It took us longer than anticipated to get here and I apologize for that. I am assuming that some of you have probably heard about the Tram being off line after our Metro ride this evening.  It delayed us quite a bit.  I will explain in greater detail, but all are here and accounted for now.

This morning started off like most Eurotrip mornings, we woke and began to prepare for breakfast. We had a transfer today to a hotel just about 10 minutes away.  It was less than convenient and when we arrived we had to store our luggage in a couple of rooms on the second floor.  Sometimes, with travel, however, you need to go with the flow.  

We walked a few meters down the road to the Tram stop. Joanna had procured Metro tickets for all of us and she explained to the kids what they needed to know about riding the Metro in Paris.  We covered how we would ride on the train, what to do if separated from the group, and how to know what stop you were taking, etc.  The Paris Metro is much busier than Boston's.  It also has a lot more moving parts than the kids were probably used to.  The tram is only one of those pieces, but eventually our car arrived and we were on the way into the city.

Our first stop was the pharmacy near the Arc de Triumph.  If you follow us on Facebook and Instagram, you know we were getting our Covid tests completed. All 34 of us had our noses swabbed and we waited those 10 minutes for our results, but slowly they came in...negatif....negatif...negatif...and then there was a cheer of excitement from Joanna.  She exclaimed, "Everyone is Negative!!!"  It was a huge relief.  

We then hopped back on the Metro and made our way to the stop called Opera.  Nestled in the shadow of the Paris Opera house is a perfume museum.  We took a quick 20 minute tour and learned how perfume is made and how the different scents are harvested.  The kids really seemed interested and a bunch bought some souvenirs.  

The next stop on our journey was Montmarte and the Sacre Coeur.  This is one of my favorite spots in all of Paris.  I really wanted the kids to see it and enjoy it.  Sometimes known as the Artist's quarter, this section of the city is one of the most charming.  Hundreds of artists are available to paint you a portrait, sketch your visage, or characterize your expressions.  It is surreal to walk around and see these talented folks make magic come to life with their pencils.  As I strolled around, I was reminded of a visit I made to Paris roughly 30 years ago.  My group, exchange students, visited an elementary school.  We met with the children and played with them during recess.  I remember them calling one of us "Michael Jordan" because he was tall and could shoot baskets very well, lol.  I was there, in Montmarte, and I heard children playing rising from a courtyard. Wouldn't you know...it was the same elementary school.  I wonder if those little kids, back then, ever think of their American visitors now that so many years have passed.

Finished with our free time at the Sacre Coeur, we departed for our next destination. A little more modern look at some shopping, lol.  The kids continued to be on time and respectful along the way...it makes everything so much easier when they create a cool vibe like that.

Dinner was a traditional crepes dinner.  Each student was provided with a savory crepes followed by a sweet one.  The Nutella one I ate was delicious!!!

We then took off for the Eiffel Tower.  We hoped we'd be able to journey to the top, but when we arrived we realized that the timing was off.  Even as we collected ourselves to leave the park, we saw that they had closed the top...it's just another reason to come back to this beautiful city again.

We began to leave, but the kids asked if we could possibly stay until 10 to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle.  They've been so good (and not getting to the top bummed a lot of us out) so I decided we could stay.  We found a nice viewing place and camped out.  It only took 15 minutes for the light show to begin.  Afterwards, I heard from more than one kids that the experience made them tear up.

Everything to this point, had been magical, lol, but our night was soon to change.  First, a quick explanation.  Joanna's metro tickets cleared the way for us to travel through all five zones of Paris.  The tickets are expensive, but also really small.  We really tried to explain to the kids that they needed to keep their tickets safe, but that they could not keep them with their phones (it would demagnetize them).  Well, along the way, we had a couple of kids misplace their tickets...it's not a big deal, but with the crowd, we thought it best to send in Joanna and those missing their tickets to buy new ones (these replacements were cheaper).  As they did that, we hung out by the entrance.  I loved this moment and will cherish it for ever.  The kids and chaperons had a really reflective talk and many of us were wiping tears from our eyes.  This group rocks...and they knew just what to say to get me emotional, lol.

Joanna and the others returned and we began our harrowing journey back to the hotel.  It was roughly 10:30.  We entered into the station and tried to access the teminal ...when wouldn't you know a ticket had demagnetized ... on impulse a couple of the kids helped our stranded traveler (they were not stranded, but its late and I can't think of a better word, lol) get through the gate.  Metro security was right there, however, and they intervened.  It was startling to say the least, but eventually we were able to recharge the ticket and continue towards our hotel.  As we waited for our train, I explain to the kids that we can always stay positive even when things don't go our way.

As an example, I mentioned our two little mishaps.  I said, yeah, it stinks that we were delayed, but the delay actually thinned out the crowd and our ride home would be more comfortable.  Almost on cue, an empty car came and we boarded.  I felt pretty good at that time, lol.

We switched over to the tram, however, and our luck stopped.  Apparently, the last tram service was at 11.  We were there at 11:30.  The signage all stated that the tram ran until 12:30.  There was a small sign saying that it would be closed in early May for construction, but apparently, they started work early.

We needed to walk to a replacement bus and then slowly creep our way to the hotel...mind you, we hadn't even put our luggage into the correct rooms yet.  We eventually delivered all of the bags to the right rooms and now...much much later than expected, everyone is in their rooms.  Everyone that is except me.

I am still in the hotel lobby typing away. Our perfect little day has been scarred by a few small mishaps, but I hope it doesn't stain the memory of Paris.  Adding insult to injury, the hotel wifi won't let me upload pictures at the moment...I decided to write the blog before attempting a workaround. If you see pictures, then it worked, haha.

Okay, it is now 1:30am.  We wake up a little later than usual tomorrow and depart for the airport around 9am.  We've got a few hours of relaxation before our flight and then we head home.  All of us.  I am psyched we made it.  As a reminder, at the airport, please make sure that your child checks in with me before you head home!!! I will post updates along the way.

Mr. Lavoie, currently pulling our his hair trying to get the photos uploaded for tonight's entry.

Day 7: The Palace of the Sun King and the City of Lights

 

Today was a very busy day.  We began our day with a buffet breakfast at the B&B hotel.  The options were fairly traditional, but they also had scrambled eggs and sausages.  The hotel is modern, as I think I mentioned, and the kids all really like it.  Sadly, tonight is our last night here.

We left after breakfast and began our journey into the city.  We did, however, hit some really bad traffic. Our destination was the Arc de Triumph where we planned to meet our city and Versailles guide, Irene.  Local guides are a bit of gamble.  Don't get me wrong, I've never had one who was not knowledgeable, but I've definitely has ones who struggled to connect to the kids on the bus. I was not optimistic, but Irene quickly challenged my expectations. She is a native Hollander who moved to Paris 15 years ago to really put her French language skills into practice, but she never left.  She told us about her struggles being tall in a country where women are not usually that big.  Her jokes hit on every note and all of us were quickly hooked into the tour.  It was a master class in guiding.

Irene leading our tour this morning.

The Arc de Triumph

Throughout the bus tour, we drove past most of the highlights in any Paris tour book.  The kids were taking pictures throughout and I am sure there are some instant classics on their camera rolls.  I tried to snap a few, myself, but wasn't happy with most of them.  When we arrived to the Hotel Des Invalides, we had a break for coffee and "peepee" (as Irene called it).  The kids mostly got coffee, but I tried a hot chocolate.  It was a cool spot.

The Hotel des Invalides was originally a hospital for French soldiers. Now, it includes a military museum and some rehabilitation units for those in need.

Back on the bus, we departed for Versailles.  Irene was to be our guide as we visited the palace as well.  The group was oddly divided into a group of 5 and a group of 29.  It had to do with our booking issues with EF, I think.  I went in with the small group first.  While we toured the interior, the other group was able to tour the Gardens.  Both are super impressive.  

This ornate clock is one of several hundred in the palace that still work.

This is a painting of Louis XIV's children.  Look at the face of all the kids and you'll see the Sun King.

Marie Antoinette and her children

Irene was able to talk us through the Palace without any issues.  We used whisper headsets as the facility was quite busy, but she knew exactly what stories to tell and what pieces would interest us the most.  I really enjoyed listening her talk about Marie Antoinette.  She makes an argument that Marie was wrongly vilified in history for the destruction of the French economy.  I tend to agree.  The main argument is that no one had ever taken the time to explain to Marie that her spending was causing hardship for the French people.  As a young Queen, no one ever said "no" to her.  If you don't know that you are doing something wrong and no one tells you to stop, then Irene says, that you should not be held fully at blame for the consequences.  As I said, her work within the museum was wonderfully done.

Our group finished in the Palace and went into the Gardens. I am embarrassed to admit that I forgot to take pictures, argh!!! I also heard that the second group's tour into the Palace was disrupted a bit by large groups, quarreling security staff members, and maybe even a little boy who lost his passport.  I know it sounds intriguing, but I honestly don't have all of the details.

We began our return drive to Paris for dinner and passed the little Statue of Liberty again.  I liked this photo! Again, however, we faced some pretty bad traffic.  We eventually arrived at Flam's.  It is a quick service restaurant that serves traditional pizza-like food from eastern France.  I've been with kids before, but after our visit in Rome, pizza-like food can't really hold up, lol.  Needless to say, as with all of our meals, some kids really loved it and others weren't huge fans.  The dessert pizza-thing was my favorite.

Pizza-thing with shaved white chocolate and raspberries.

I am guessing that Lindsey like it...and Kyle, no so much.

After dinner, we headed towards the Pont Neuf and our Seine River Cruise.  As I mentioned the other night, we've been blessed with amazing weather and the evening was no exception.  It was just beginning to cool off when we arrived, but the sky was clear.  As the sun set on the City of Lights, you could only see the bright smiles of our travelers from Saugus. Our group was intermixed with quite a few other school groups and tourists, so I couldn't get pictures of everyone, but I am sure, by now, that you've seen some shots of theirs.

John and I under the Tower

A few of the girls allowing me to crash their photo session.

A group as we passed under a bridge.

Three of our chaperones...without their help, this tour would not be a success.  Mr. S also deserves recognition!!!

Another group posing for a picture

Three of the boys clearly having a blast!

We arrived back to the dock and disembarked.  Our newest bus driver was waiting for us and we began the trek back to B&B.  There was some slight traffic, but we made it back fairly quickly.  Our seventh day had come to an end.  With only one full day remaining, I am starting to shift into reflection mode.  I have to take some time to thank all of the Chaperons.  Gail, Dawn, Tina, and Guillermo have been an amazing team.  Escorting 29 kids through busy city streets and squares is not easy...but they looked like seasoned veterans.  Managing the bustling city centers and monuments, with all of the distractions the kids face, can be daunting, but I did not have to coach these folks up...they simply rocked.

Additionally, Joanna has been a really good Tour Director.  She has been cool under pressure, understanding when someone was late, and flexible in a way that doesn't make you feel like you've made a mistake.  Flavia, who is training under Joanna, has also been great.  She flies home to Sorrento tomorrow and we will miss her happy personality and infectious laugh.  A few kids totally snapped pictures of her tonight when we said good bye.  

Also...I want to thank the parents and guardians of these kids...they really have been great.  We have had a few speed bumps, but nothing has derailed us.  They have been polite and respectful at every turn.  I have thoroughly enjoyed traveling with each and every one of them. Some people I know wondered why I would pick up the task of traveling so soon into the post-covid era (I hope I'm not jinxing us), but the reason is clear...it is kids like these ones.  They do deserve to see the world. You are all part of that..and for that, I thank you for trusting your kids to this process.  I hope it has been worth it.

I don't know how many more of these trips I have in me before I retire from them.  They are tiresome and exhausting.  This isn't a complaint, by the way, it is just a matter of fact.  We are up early every day, we log thousands of steps each day, and we don't go to bed until much past our bedtime.  As hard as that can be, however, it is also very rewarding.  I needed to have my spirits refreshed and I am hoping this trip has lit the spark that I needed.  The last picture in tonight's blog is of the banks of the river Seine.  You can see quite a few people lounging along the banks.  They are all kinds of people.  Some are having a romantic picnic, others are dancing, some are reflecting by themselves.  I sat on the boat watching these folks and forgot about the troubles of the past two years.  I reflected back to 2015 when I was one of the people sitting on the banks with some bread and cheese watching the boats cruise past.  I thought to the future and wondered if any of the Eurotrippers would be on those banks in the years to come with their college friends or their spouses.  It is hard to tell, but it was fun to think about.  Our evening closed and I had a conversation with some of the girls sitting on the boat near me. Sam said something about not wanting the trip to end because of all of the good times she had had. I loved hearing it, but I told her that good things need to come to an end; that's how we know they were good times.  If they never ended, they wouldn't be special.  We have one more day to make good times!!!  

Thanks for reading and trying to comment...I have no idea why it isn't working, but I am enjoying the comments on Facebook and I appreciate all of the feedback.

Mr. Lavoie, currently sitting in the lobby writing his latest blog entry yet...as the clock strikes quarter to 1...but with a smile on his face :)