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!

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!

I love Paris.  I love the Seine river.  I think it’s so cool to walk along the river and see the Eiffel Tower in the distance!  My favorite time to be in Paris is when it’s warm so I can walk everywhere instead of taking the metro.

I also love Québec.  I like how it feels like I’m in France but I’m just a bus ride home.  I like speaking French with people who have a different accent than people in France.  I like the history of Québec.

I like Belgium too!  I stayed in Belgium for one month in 2003 and I really enjoyed the people and the atmosphere.  One of my favorite days was a day that a bunch of us rented bikes for little money and had a tour around where we were staying.  We saw lots of farms and some really neat historical things.

When was the last time you were in a French speaking country?  In May of last  year, I was in Québec City, Québec with 5 other adults and 48 middle school students.  Were you there?