Students take in sights, smells and sounds of Paris

Editor's note: Second-year students at Cottey College are taking part in the school's "international experience," in which students visit another country and learn of its culture, history, and more through educational modules and experiences along the way. This year, the group is visiting France. Following is the second in a series of columns through which Cottey College Public Information Director Steve Reed shares the experience with readers

Bonjour, Mama!

Today was our first full day in Paris. We got a night's rest and are ready to see all that Paris has to offer. But not, of course, on an empty stomach. First, we have breakfast in the hotel. It's pretty much the usual breakfast fare, except for the croissants and sliced baguettes in the bread baskets. Even better, I found some pain au chocolat, which means bread with chocolate and is pretty much what it says it is. It's a tasty little roll with bits of chocolate baked right in. Oh, how I love Paris! Once breakfast time was done, we loaded up onto buses for a half day tour of some of the highlights of this beautiful city. We went to the Place de Concord and saw the obelisk of Luxor, we took photos of Les Invalides, the military hospital where Napoleon 1 is buried, saw the Arc de Triomphe and had a moment there for photos, traveled down both the Champs Élysées (shamps ay-lee-say) and the Rue de la Paix (roo duh la pie ee) two of the most famous and expensive places on Earth to shop. Still, if I had wanted to buy something on the Champs Élysées, I could have gone to the McDonalds there and gotten a coffee to go. It's probably the only thing I could afford on that street. It does seem odd, though, that there is a Mickey D's across from the Louis Vitton store.

I joked with my sons that I was going to bring back a French stepmom for their souvenir (don't panic, Mama, it was only a joke, I promise!), and have a little photo fun to share with them. Our bus guide was a cute, petite Parisian named Karin (pronounced Kareen). I asked at one of the photo stops if I could have my picture taken with her. She said yes. I can't wait to e-mail that to the boys with the message, "Got your souvenir." Ha! The bus tour ended at the Place de Trocadero which overlooks the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. There are some spectacular guilded statues there as well and I took lots of photos to show you. What a beautiful place and definitely a photographer's dream.

Most of the students went off souvenir shopping, but I grabbed a ready-made sandwich at the market along with chips and an Orangina and started walking along the river taking photos wile I snacked. After a short while, I came across a kiosk and sign for tours of the Paris sewers. This was definitely something I'd never done before, and at only €4.30 euros, (about $6), I thought, "Why not?" It really is an old sewer tunnel that's been turned into a walk-through museum. There are interesting displays and examples of old equipment throughout the place. Yes, there is a bit of an odor, but it's more like a musty, mildewy smell. I definitely have a new appreciation for the engineers who had to figure out how to move wastewater from millions of people and treat it so it didn't destroy the rivers. What was kind of funny, though, was the gift shop at the end. There were the usual books on engineering and such, but you could also buy plush rat toys and keychains, and there was a book titled Les Rats. If it hadn't been so expensive, and all in French, I would have bought it.

I decided after that to do something a little less grimy, and walked to the Rodin Museum. Auguste Rodin is the guy who sculpted The Thinker. I have to confess, I didn't know much more about him other than that, and I mostly went to walk around the gardens on a gorgeous day.

I was pleasantly surprised at all the really neat statues, and the price was right at only €6 euros (about $9) for the whole afternoon. I did take a photo of The Thinker, but I think my favorite statue was inside. It is titled The Kiss and is a remarkable work. Also inside are some works by other artists including two paintings by Van Gogh when he lived in Arles. I had no idea those were there, and, even better, you're allowed to take photos of them (with no flash, of course).

After I'd seen all the art work, I went to the garden cafe and ordered "Un cafe, s'il vous plait." in other words, "One coffee, please." I felt very Parisian sitting in the gardens at the Rodin museum drinking my little French espresso. (I even wore my black turtleneck today!) All I need now is a beret.

After that, it was back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner. I saw several students as they came back from their shopping expeditions. Erin showed me the scarf she had purchased and Carli, in true French fashion, bought a couple of bottles of perfume. Everyone I spoke with is having a wonderful time.

Tomorrow is our first day for educational modules. The group I'm leading is going to the Marche d'Aligre (mar-shay duh-leg-ruh), a market that is more than 300 years old. The students will be divided into groups, and each group has to buy enough food from the different vendors to furnish their lunch. Ought to be great fun, and should test their rudimentary French and negotiating skills, too.

Well, we're off in a few minutes for the faculty-staff dinner. I don't know where we're going, but I know it will be another wonderful meal.

A demain, Your loving son,

Steve

P.S. Don't tell the boys about the joke. I want to try and surprise them!