Early morning start, again, REALLY! It's a routine and Mrs. Mynatt just can't help it. When in Europe with students the day must be spent seeing, experiencing, learning and anything else she can add along the way! You've heard of "Shop till you Drop"...we did that, too. But mostly we "Experienced until we Dropped"...then we Shopped!
The boys started out their first morning in France understanding that French Breakfasts typically consist of a croissant, 1/2 a baguette, cheese, and juice. Not the typical Full English Breakfast fare from London. One of the boys could be heard this morning saying "Mrs. Mynatt, is this ALL we get?"
Then it was OFF TO THE RACES as we took the RER train all the way to the Chateau des Versailles to play in the manicured gardens, no, make that manicured square miles that the French Royality used to enjoy when they occupied the Chateau. The French Royalty at one time occupied what is now the Louvre Museum as their official residence. Then along came King Louis XIV who was more of a country boy and decided to relocate the official royal residence to the elaborately built palace in the woods of Versailles. Indeed they enjoyed it...perhaps a bit too much. Because it was located far enough away from the city folk of Paris the royals decided they didn't really need to listen to the Parisians and their call for revolution. Unfortunately for Marie Antoinette it all ended with her head rolling on the ground and now we can all enjoy the Royal Chateau as mere commoners.
The palace gardens are grand indeed.
As is the palace.
Trying to kill as many birds with one stone as possible (not just two) we headed from there to the Arch de Triomphe where Ms. Armstrong and Ms. Ketchen lead the troops up to the very top via the STAIRS no less. There are grand views of the city of Paris as well as the most famous traffic circle and shopping street in all the world. We explained to the travelers how Napoleon had this Arch built to signify Frances' accomplishments in battle, and Hitler also marched his troops down this famous Champs-Elysees straight through the arch as he overtook Paris and France fell. A bit of history amid a bit of fun - learning at its best.
From the Arch straight down the Champs Elysees takes us to our next bird which is the Louvre. It seems strange that royalty would choose to leave this grand estate in Paris' center, but now it houses one of the most magnificent art collections in the world. One could spend weeks and weeks trying to look at everything in this now defunct palace. From past experience we know about 1.5 hours is all the troops can handle. One of the most famous pieces we all must see is the Mona Lisa and the much grander and less well known Wedding Feast at Cana located on the opposite wall. Of course there are myriads of other pieces to see along the way.
Of course between each of today's sights we ate at least 1 meal. Honestly it seems like we have lunch and then 15 minutes later at least half of the kids are starving again! It's a good thing Paris has LOTS of great food.
Leaving the Louvre at closing time we head to the Galleries Lafeyette which is one of the grandest shopping malls in the world. It's one of those places where stores are roped off and only a handful of customers are allowed in at one time. The Grand Dome in the center of the mall is stained glass and looks like nothing I've ever seen before in a shopping mall...maybe a cathedral would be a more appropriate place for it. The girls were the ones most excited about the shopping escapade and the boys didn't want any part of it...or so they would have us believe.
Let me reassure the parents of the girls...the boys WAYYYYYYY outspent the girls. Mr. Mynatt is at least going to attempt to recoup the 17 % VAT (150 Euros) on these three items. You can do the math on that one. If sucessful I'll send the refund on to them. If not - well it's a treasure they'll not soon forget I'm sure!
By the time we got back to our hotel area it was past our normal dinner time and exhaustion point and we did what Mr. and Mrs. Mynatt swore they would never do in Europe - eat American Fast Food. Yikes, we were so tired and the kids so hungry we went to Subway and got take away for our rooms. We're all in for the night and Ms. Armstrong had devotions for the group. We're getting some extra sleep tonight which we ALL need. Tomorrow is our Bike Ride, Seine River Cruise and Notre Dame climb. Mrs. Mynatt assures me it will be an easier day (refer to paragraph one).
Good night from Paris.
The boys started out their first morning in France understanding that French Breakfasts typically consist of a croissant, 1/2 a baguette, cheese, and juice. Not the typical Full English Breakfast fare from London. One of the boys could be heard this morning saying "Mrs. Mynatt, is this ALL we get?"
Then it was OFF TO THE RACES as we took the RER train all the way to the Chateau des Versailles to play in the manicured gardens, no, make that manicured square miles that the French Royality used to enjoy when they occupied the Chateau. The French Royalty at one time occupied what is now the Louvre Museum as their official residence. Then along came King Louis XIV who was more of a country boy and decided to relocate the official royal residence to the elaborately built palace in the woods of Versailles. Indeed they enjoyed it...perhaps a bit too much. Because it was located far enough away from the city folk of Paris the royals decided they didn't really need to listen to the Parisians and their call for revolution. Unfortunately for Marie Antoinette it all ended with her head rolling on the ground and now we can all enjoy the Royal Chateau as mere commoners.
The palace gardens are grand indeed.
As is the palace.
Trying to kill as many birds with one stone as possible (not just two) we headed from there to the Arch de Triomphe where Ms. Armstrong and Ms. Ketchen lead the troops up to the very top via the STAIRS no less. There are grand views of the city of Paris as well as the most famous traffic circle and shopping street in all the world. We explained to the travelers how Napoleon had this Arch built to signify Frances' accomplishments in battle, and Hitler also marched his troops down this famous Champs-Elysees straight through the arch as he overtook Paris and France fell. A bit of history amid a bit of fun - learning at its best.
From the Arch straight down the Champs Elysees takes us to our next bird which is the Louvre. It seems strange that royalty would choose to leave this grand estate in Paris' center, but now it houses one of the most magnificent art collections in the world. One could spend weeks and weeks trying to look at everything in this now defunct palace. From past experience we know about 1.5 hours is all the troops can handle. One of the most famous pieces we all must see is the Mona Lisa and the much grander and less well known Wedding Feast at Cana located on the opposite wall. Of course there are myriads of other pieces to see along the way.
Of course between each of today's sights we ate at least 1 meal. Honestly it seems like we have lunch and then 15 minutes later at least half of the kids are starving again! It's a good thing Paris has LOTS of great food.
Leaving the Louvre at closing time we head to the Galleries Lafeyette which is one of the grandest shopping malls in the world. It's one of those places where stores are roped off and only a handful of customers are allowed in at one time. The Grand Dome in the center of the mall is stained glass and looks like nothing I've ever seen before in a shopping mall...maybe a cathedral would be a more appropriate place for it. The girls were the ones most excited about the shopping escapade and the boys didn't want any part of it...or so they would have us believe.
Let me reassure the parents of the girls...the boys WAYYYYYYY outspent the girls. Mr. Mynatt is at least going to attempt to recoup the 17 % VAT (150 Euros) on these three items. You can do the math on that one. If sucessful I'll send the refund on to them. If not - well it's a treasure they'll not soon forget I'm sure!
By the time we got back to our hotel area it was past our normal dinner time and exhaustion point and we did what Mr. and Mrs. Mynatt swore they would never do in Europe - eat American Fast Food. Yikes, we were so tired and the kids so hungry we went to Subway and got take away for our rooms. We're all in for the night and Ms. Armstrong had devotions for the group. We're getting some extra sleep tonight which we ALL need. Tomorrow is our Bike Ride, Seine River Cruise and Notre Dame climb. Mrs. Mynatt assures me it will be an easier day (refer to paragraph one).
Good night from Paris.
Again, thank you for the pictures and the updates. I sounds like you all do not stop, sun up to sun down. Thank you for changing our children's lives forever.
ReplyDeleteWOW! That's a crazy busy day. I could tell it in Kayla's voice when I talked to her, too...lol. I'm so glad you guys are having such a good time. Thanks so much to the grown ups for taking such good care of our kids.
ReplyDeleteJust got a Skype from Adysan and Kayla, they are having a great time and look very happy and excited for tomorrow. Thank you for taking care of them. Adysan says the chaperones are great! I think the kids are having a hard time keeping up with you all! Have a fantastic day tomorrow, sweet dreams from TN
ReplyDeleteWhat a day! That is a lot of walking:) I am glad you all are getting to see so much. Thanks to the chaperones for making memories with our kids. Can't wait to read the next blog tomorrow:)
ReplyDeleteWow. The boys bought beats. That's hilarious! Thank you for all the awesome updates! Cooper is having so much fun! Thank you!!!
ReplyDelete