Can anyone tell us the name of this place in  Paris?  Can you tell us about it?

Les Francais have no problem driving tiny cars.  Here in America, when the Mini came back and the new Smartcars were introduced, some people thought they were way too small and dangerous.  In France, most cars are small like this.   This picture is of an old car in France, but many are this size.   Since large cars are not all that common, it’s not so dangerous to drive a smaller car because you probably aren’t likely to hit a large truck or car.  Why do you think the French drive smaller cars?

I don’t know what it is about this picture but I get such a laugh out of it every time I see it!  This is the Stravinsky Fountain in Paris, near the Centre Pompidou.  The fountain is full of silly sculptures but this one is my favorite.  It seems so inappropriate in a classy city like Paris that someone would create a sculpture of lips and have water coming out of them like they’re giving someone the raspberry.  Do a little research on Le Centre Pompidou here http://www.junior.centrepompidou.fr/ and see what you can find out.  It’s a fascinating place from the outside of the building to the things are on display inside. 

For those who want to do some extra credit and make some powerpoint projects, this might be something good to research!

  Québec City, here we come!!! This is a picture of the border between Vermont and Canada- where we enter Québec.  Our trip for 2010 was approved tonight by the school committee.  The brief details are:  Memorial Day weekend:  May 27, 28, 29 30 2010.  Open to 7th and 8th grade French students at Mattacheese and Wixon.  Details will be given at an information meeting at Wixon on Monday, September 14th.  Stay tuned for details!

Today we focused on Provence.  This is my favorite part of France.  I spent a semester in Aix-en-Provence and really enjoyed the way of life in the south of France.  I wasn’t very adventurous with food at the time, so I didn’t take the time to enjoy what Provence provides for great food.  I have since become a big fan of the Mediterranean menu and make a lot of dishes that are inspired by Provincial ways of cooking.  They use lots of vegetables, lots of fresh herbs, olive oil and their way of cooking is very simple.  Nothing is heavy. 

Today we made Ratatouille and Salade Niçoise.  I am not a fan of Ratatouille, no matter how it is prepared.  I like vegetables but something about this combination doesn’t taste good to me. Salade Niçoise is a favorite of mine.  This one did not have potatoes.

One thing I have learned over the year is that cooking is not always precise.  These dishes in particular can be made so many different ways, I can’t even keep track.  As long as it tastes good, who cares?

What a great view of Le Chateau Frontenac!  One of my students took this in Quebec during our trip a few weeks ago.  I can’t figure out where she was standing to take that picture.  What a great day we had that day!

Isn’t this a funny picture?  Doesn’t Mlle. Watson have a slightly evil grin?  Mme. Olander, Mlle. Watson, Mme. Walker and Mme. Mason were caught trying to race each other in the musket loading competition at the Maison de la Decouverte in Quebec City.   Mme. Mason is cut out of this thumbnail but if you click on it, you will see her!  It’s a hard task with lots of steps and the pressure is on when the whole group is watching and taking pictures!  I can’t imagine how they did it back in the days when this is how they really fought battles!

Does this scene look familiar?

The Québec trip is already over!  We had a great 4 days in the city of Québec learning about the history and life of people in the province of Québec.  We had a great time with our guide Nathalie and we ate some great French and Québec food.  Some of us might have also eaten at McDonald’s in Québec but that’s another story.  So, if you were on the trip, what was your favorite part?

Collège Calypso is a school France that we are communicating with.  They now have their website up and running and I encourage you to visit:  http://clg-calypso-49.ac-nantes.fr/index.php?lng=fr  You can become a member and receive updates if you want.  What fun!