We are Home.

Mrs. Savage did an amazing job of staying up every night updating the blog and I am so thankful for that!

I just wanted to let you guys know my favorite parts of taking these kiddos to Paris. Even though I was sickly, I still had to push through and enjoy Paris with them. I honestly couldnt stay away- and bedrest is overrated.

Here are my top 10 memories David Letterman style...

Top 10 in Paris 09! (Not in any particular order)
1. Immenent deportation and two arty gals with BIG Texas smiles.
2. Gage buying a suit for 70 euros and wearing it to dinner with sunglasses.. dapper.
3. The boys playing cooks for each other each night- Andrews killer grilled cheese.
4. The peruvian dude with a crush on Vale, at Disneyland.
5. The faces- all of them when the kids saw the tower light up and twinkle for the first time.
6. Guylaine and her sweet little dances and jigs.
7. Max teaching Guylaine how to patty cake, fast...
8. Making students touch the skulls in the catacombs, Mr. Satterwhite got some to feel their eye sockets.
9. The Arrendondos 200 bags of shopping, daily.
10. All of the kids wearing ridiculous Disney hats after our day had ended. We got some amazing looks on the RER.

Photo share!

Mrs. Otto has graciously offered to collect any photo's (on disc) that any participant is willing to share, sort through them put them in order of the days of our trip, create a slide show of them and burn them to a single disc then offer one free copy back to anyone that was on tour who wants one. This will take hours of her time and a wee bit of money for discs so we can't thank her enough for the generous offer. She'll need to have a cut off time for collecting all photo's so let's say that all willing to share their photo's should have them to Mrs. Satterwhite, Mrs. Flynn or Mrs. Savage by Monday, April 6th. We'll remind you via group email and in class so you don't forget. You do not have to contribute photo's to have a copy of the disc but if you took photo's then it would be the right thing to do to offer a disc of your pictures for her to select from.

You can ask for a disc of your photo's at most processing centers such as walgreens, walmart, target and even some on-line sources if this is where you usually make your prints. The discs are usually less than $10.

Thank you in advance Ms. Otto!!

Quickly Checking In; Au Revoir Paris

Mr. Savage here. Letting you know that Mrs. Savage lost her job at the hotel desk, which is why you haven't heard from her in the last few days. She wanted me to let you know that she would update the blog thoroughly with all of their adventures when she returned home. Meanwhile, she wanted me to reassure you that everyone was safe and sound, happy, and gathering up to head to the airport. At present time, flights are still as scheduled so she wanted me to remind you that pickup time is 4:00pm at Bush Continental Airport, terminal E. She wanted me to remind you that the best welcome home is for you to park and meet them during their grand entry. As a bonus, you'll be the first to see their Disney schwag. After a hectic week, it will certainly be a cast of tired characters.

Farewell Dinner, pack, to the airport and a final thought.

The grannies had established themselves as regulars at a restaurant near our hotel, so they decided their farewell dinner should be there. This left the rest of us to bid adieu together over a meal of what else but salad, beef bourgenoign, scalloped potatoes and delicious French pastries. As the group leader, it was my pleasure to stand and give a toast to our group and say a few kind words to our tour director, Guylaine. So the toast went something like this...

"For those that know me well, you know that I love to quote from the poem "The road to Ithika." Ithika is a mythological place that is said to exist in Greece and is where the riches at the end of the rainbow can be found. The poem however, describes that it's the long journey to the pot of gold that makes us rich, not the Gold itself. Our experience in Paris together is indeed a part of our "road to Ithika" and we leave here much richer than when we came. When we started all of this, we did it for you (the students) but I'd like to thank you for all that you have given to us (the teachers) this week because of your thoughtfulness, excitement, graciousness and giving spirit. Here's a toast to all of you.

Of course our week could not have been possible without having such an amazing tour director as Guylaine who has orchestrated the best possible experience for us by working hard and keeping our happiness and exposure to Paris as her first priority. We have certainly made a new friend in Paris."

You should know that we all shed a few tears together and then presented Guylaine with her tips from all of us along with a bound journal that she had admired earlier in the week while in the St. Chapelle. Mrs. Satterwhite's group (majority of the students) had pitched in money to also give her a beautiful bouqet of fresh flowers. It was easy to see she was really touched. Guylaine devulged to the adults at her table that she was moved by our group as we were exceptionally easy to work for by being punctual, polite, affectionate and just plain kind to everyone. She said she needed so badly to have this kind of week with people like us because after she leaves us at the airport she heads home to Normandy in hopes to catch her father before he dies. She said she called him last night and said "please keep your eyes open until I come papa." It is hard to imagine that she has been dealing with the loss of her father while showing us a good time and has been full of laughter and goodness to us all week. Of course we are saddened by her news and feel even more connected to her at the end of our journey. We will all be thinking of her this week for certain, knowing what she will be faced with.

When we got back to the hotel everyone had to pack up and be ready to report back down in the lobby by 3:45 am, after a few hours nap, and be on the chartered bus to the airport by 4:15. On par with the rest of the trip to this point, all participants were there and on time and still smiling. We are still amazed at how wonderful everyone has been. It's almost scary how few issues we have had to tackle but very sweet. We bid Paris a final adieu from the bus, with tired bodies and busy minds for all that we have done and seen this week. It has been an experience that will change us all and bind us together in a way that is unique to any other teacher and student. Thank you for sharing your beautiful children with us for one magical week in Paris. It is our pleasure to be a part of their lives. Mme Savage, Mme Satterwhite, Mme Sadleir and Mme Flynn.

Last "free day" in Paris

Mrs. and Mrs. Satterwhite are taking the majority of students today to the catacombs and Pere LaChaise cemetary. I am taking about 9 people with me to the Aligre Marche' which is a wonderful outdoor flea market and fruit/vegetable/ cheese/ meat and bread market and then we will go to the Picasso Museum. Ms. Flynn is taking a small group of her French student and the Arrendondo cousins with her to go shopping today. I will have to let Mrs. Satterwhite and Ms. Flynn blog about their experience.

Guylaine got very excited when I told her I chose the Aligre Marche' for my group because this is in the Marais area where she lives. She says she shops here almost daily and is great friends with all of the vendors. She wants to join us later because she is so excited that we are going to her neck of the woods. She says that we will really be amongst the people there and likely not to see any other tourists. She was right. We found our way there easily and to say that my eyes couldn't move fast enough to see everything I wanted to, is an understatement. The market is set inside a small square so it was another good opportunity to let my small group of students walk freely and even the adults managed to split apart and wander aimlessly. It's small here though so we bumped into each other frequently. I managed to make a morroccan boyfriend down one aisle "Your eyes are bonita" who was trying to get me to buy his table full of wares. But counterbalanced my new boyfriend with an arch enemy in another area. I got called a not so nice name by a younger merchant because I wouldn't pay 3euros, said no to 2 euros and offered 1 euro for two black and white photo's in a shoe box, likely from an estate sale. He told me no but his boss at the end of the aisle called me an "American Princess" and told me I could have it for one euro. Something tells me this wasn't a compliment. I kept waiting for my boyfriend to come to my rescue but it didn't happen. Jeesh. I just smiled, swapped euro for photo's and walked away smuggly. Nothing like a great bargain. I bought an old military coin that had a beautiful scene with a lion on it and it said "protection, pride and courage" on it, for my husband who is in law enforcement. The kids bought various things such as a coat for 22 euros, silk fabric to make a prom dress with (how smart and unique), etc. My mom bought my sister a really pretty limoge tea pot for 10euros (would easily sell for 70euros in the store). We all walked the fruit stalls and went into the enclosed market to see the food hanging and in cabinets. Some of us sampled some of the amazing foods on display to see how the real parisians live and eat. This was a real highlight. The market closes at 1pm so we decided to eat as soon as we walked off from here which meant we would also be eating in a non-tourist area for lunch. We chose a sweet Boulangerie (bread bakery) that had enough tables and chairs outside for the adults. It faced a sweet little park with benches and lots of kids playing so we knew the kids that were with us could take their quiche or sandwhich and sit in the park near us to enjoy their lunch and see the kids playing, mom's talking, French teenagers hanging out, etc. The sun is shining today and it's a little chillier but this was probably the sweetest lunch spot we have found. The bread was still warm from the oven and the quiche, pear tarte and sparkling water I bought and sandwhich, tarte and soda the kids were getting were only 6euros each for the whole deal. It was the bargain and charm of the day and great way to top off the market experience.
We walked our way through the streets of Marais, passed through the Louis the 13th royal square (prettiest in all of Paris) and made our way to the Picasso museum. I have always loved Picasso because I know I am supposed to but seeing such a mass of his work in one place (thanks to the back taxes he owed Paris, this is the single largest collection of his work in the world) has made me love him in ways I never imagined. He was indeed a genius due to so many reasons but what I will take away from this experience is that this man could make art from any kind of medium such as, sculpture, painting, drawing, pastels, oils, gouche, bronze, wood, woodcut prints, found objects, etc. and they were all done so masterfully. It was really moving and I am so glad we decided to fit this in. We walked from here back to the Opera Garnier area of town where it's a little more bustling, to find our restaurant for the farewell dinner.

Mrs. Satterwhite gets a house call, A Piece of political pie, Orsay, Ile de Cite (Notre Dame, St. Chapelle)

So we start our day today by learning that our tour director (Guylaine who is a wonderful new friend to us all) has called a Dr. to come to the hotel to examine Mrs. Satterwhite and give her an RX. For 50euros, the dr visits her, determines she has a raging case of bronchitis and gives her 4 prescriptions that cost Mr. Satterwhite 8 whole euros at the corner pharmacy. Guylaine was shocked to hear that this isn't how things work at home and that with the insurance paying a portion of the bill, after our co-pay that this would have all cost about $400 at home. Mrs. and Mr. Satterwhite are off the tour today for obvious reasons so off we go without them to the Orsay (impressionist museum). The kids are getting a slice of political pie today as well as Paris is notorious for organized strikes. Today portions of the metro and RER (train) are shut down because Parisians want there to be tons of people in the streets (rather than riding the public transports) to protest the way the government is handling the economic crisis. Apparently, corporations are still seeing big gains but continue to lay off workers and this is the core of the protest. Guylaine has done a great job of plotting our day so that we are virtually unaffected by the strike other than seeing the barricades being put up and having to do more walking today than we would have otherwise. Additionally, the 5th floor of the Orsay is closed today due to hightened security and workers calling off to join the strike. Too bad because the best work is on the top floor but I think the kids are okay with this. They are just generally happy to be in Paris and taking each bend in stride. After seeing the beautiful paintings and sculptures of the Orsay, we opt for the 30 minute walk along the Siene towards the Ile de Cite (the island in the center of the Siene where the Notre Dame and St. Chapelle are situated). This was fun because the kids got to see the 4 centuries old "bookanista's" that peddle used books and posters, etc. in French from stalls that attach to the river bank walls. The weather is glorious, about a sunny 65 degrees so great day for walking and watching the bustling city go by. We arrive at St. Chapelle which is the single nave church that is walled with stories high stained glass windows that tell the books of the bible. This chapel was built to recieve relics of Christ during the 13th century. It is so beautiful that the group went into the bookstore area and started taking pictures thinking this was the actual chapel space. The chapel itself is indescribably beautiful and moving. The kids were great, very quiet and took in the solemn beauty of the space as we asked them to. Next we go to Notre Dame which is about three blocks away. We meet up with a rested Mrs. Satterwhite and hubby as she couldn't stand laying in bed all day and missing the sights with us. She is feeling a wee better but happy to see all of us again. The courtyard in front of the cathedral is large and hundreds of people are there taking pictures of themselves in front of the cathedral. There is also a good handful of Romanian beggars (women) that we have to shoo away and say "non!" aggressively and street performers that have the ability to gather an audience there. The Romanian women put on quite a show before we go in by having a big shouting match amongst each other which can sometimes be a planned distraction so pick pocketing can take place but today I think the argument is legit. We go inside to escape the theatrics but not before being mildly entertained. Inside, the kids and adults separate to take in this grand cathedral by walking casually around the nave of the chapel. It is certainly breathtaking and very spiritually moving to be in side here. The church is over 500 years old and a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Now we walk to dinner to refuel and then head to Galleries Lafayette to do a little shopping. The Galleries Lafayette is best described as a Houston Galeria but in historical buildings. Knowing now that the kids are being responsible and taking good care of one another and are more comfortable navigating, we split them back into their Disney groups and allow them an hour and a half to do a little shopping. Because of the strike, Guylaine has arranged for us to have a chartered bus back to the hotel from the mall. This was a nice way to end our walking day as we are all short on steam, long on hurting feet. Tomorrow, we split into groups to have our last free day and farewell dinner. Bonsoir, Mme Savage

Magical Day at Disney. Mom, please send more money, FAST!

Today we part ways with most of the other adults and head out of town on the RER A line with kids that look like kids in tennis shoes, jeans and scrappy t-shirts/sweatshirts. We are so thankful to have today to just turn our minds and schedules off and run aimlessly through Disney. We took the sweetest train ride out of the city center and got to see some of the countryside just 40 minutes outside of Paris. It seems like a whole other experience if one were to stay this far out for a visit so I am glad we are getting to see some of this on our train ride. The kids are starting to slump over a bit in their seats when we sit down on the train. It's easy to find one or two that have eyes closed and leaning over on a friend for a quick nap. But there are an equal number of those that are chatting, pointing, playing patty cake type games while waiting for the big day. I just can't say enough times, how wonderful all of your children are. They have been so patient and kind and polite. We have had many adults tell us time and again how nice they are and it's true. They have smiled and thanked us, hugged us, high fived for everything we do, cheer when told anything good we are doing...they are just so amazing. When we get off of the train, we ascend to the front gates of disney in which all of these kids turn in to 11 year olds (and some adults too!) and start cheering, burst of energy and running towards the gate. I can see immediately that this one park is about half the size of the Magic Kingdom in Florida. It is small but decadent just like Paris itself and therefore a perfect place for the kids to be free of adults and navigate the park in groups of 4-5 on their own. Ms. Satterwhite and I tell them that we will be in front of the beautiful castle every three hours so that if they need us, they can find us there and that at 6pm we will gather at the benches just outside the gate, to go back on the train. They ran through the gates and off they go. When Mr. and Mrs. Satterwhite and I went back to the castle to wait for anyone that needed us (none showed up all day..no surprise there) we could see groups of them going by to something else exciting, but they didn't see us. At one point we see four of our girls, linked in arms, with giant disney hats on their heads and skipping in unison on main street. Every one of them had the widest smiles imaginable. It was really tearful to see them having so much fun. The Satterwhite's and I walked to each area of the park and rode a ride where we bumped in to each group throughout the day and were able to wave to them while taking off on their ride or talking with them about the fun they were having. At 6pm, all students came stumbling out of the gate to meet me at the bench area. I wish each of you could have been there to see them. Almost all of them had spent their wad of money on all sorts of Disney memories but namely the big giant character hats. We were sure to take a picture of them all in front of the mickey mouse hedges at the entrance/exit of the park. So here is where we learned that most kids now only have about 10euros left for the next two days in Paris. Oops...should have had a budgeting talk before we went in. Instead we are having budget talks on the way out about lunch the next two days and how to stretch remaining euros. This is really the first "teenager" mistake any of them have made and to be honest, it's adorable so we half heartedly scold them with a smile and suggest that next time they think a little more about the money they need to last them to the end of the trip. The train ride is very quiet on the way back in to town and most kids are taking advantage of the nap time. Mrs. Satterwhite's nasty cold has turned in to something unmanageable with over the counter drugs so in the next post, you will get to see how the European socialized medicine works. I think you may be impressed, at least in terms of a minor illness situation.....For now, we rest our heads (late) so that we can get up and get to the Orsay and then Notre Dame, St. Chappelle, dinner and then the mall (all begin early). Bonsoir, Mme Savage

Happy St. Patty's Day! Yes, even in Paris.

So most of us trailed down in our 'greens' today in homage to St. Patrick's day. After the long day of walking yesterday, we are so glad today is chartered bus day. We are having the finest breakfast each morning here at the hotel. breads, cheeses, yogurts, capaccino, fruit, cereal, milk, juice, ham, boiled eggs, jams, etc. After breakfast we hopped the bus to get a great view of the city from our double decker bus, which also let us rest our feet. After seeing the different quarters of town, the siene, monuments, the tunnel where princess Diana met her fate (sadly) and much much more, we headed out to Versailles! No blog can do this justice so lets just say it was a big day of 'wow' and dead camera batteries for trying to capture it all. It was sure fun to imagine what life would have been like if we had lived there. So after Versailles, we headed to our tarte flambe which was AWESOME but best described as a pizza with decadent cream sauce an fixins rather than red sauce and it was 'all you can eat.' The kids were very happy when we left there for sure! Next stop, Eiffel tower or bust. Everyone opted to go up the very high tower to the second platform, take photo's and see all of Paris from the sky. I have yet to see any frowns. The metro is getting easier but still an adventure and tonight on our way back to the hotel, we stopped to get wonderful crepes on the street to eat while walking. what a magical way to end a magical day... speaking of Magical days...tomorrow we are off to Disney for the day with the kids. Stay tuned for that blog though I can't gaurantee when I will get back to the computer. My 'shift' at the desk ends now and I am off to bed for the night. I only regret not being able to share photo's with you but please know they are filled with smiles and experience beyond your imagination. Bonsoir! Mme Savage

Monday, Monday!!

Wow, today is Tuesday and I am just now getting back to a computer. I am having to work at the counter of our hotel, literally, to get the use. This has really opened my eyes to a whole new host of career opportunities (for now, none trump my current gig, by a longshot)! So monday seems like a week ago though it was only yesterday. We had a wonderful start to the day by visiting our old friend that we know and love....Mona, at the Louvre. Of course we managed to see many other amazing works of art but she certainly had top billing. As a teacher, it was exciting to see the kids whipping out their camera's at every bend because they are so excited. They are really standouts amongst student groups, no surprise by me but it is still very proud to witness. They have been patient and kind to one another and every one of them brought their true southern politeness by thanking everyone in their path for the events of the day. We have ended each evening by thanking them, telling them how amazing they are and sending them off with sweet dreams to be had. So back to our day. Montemarte, sweet Montemartre. We split into smaller groups and navigated this precious villqge high on the hill, topped by the Sacre Coeur cathedral. We had fun shopping, having panini,s and crepes and spending time in the area where the street artists work. We had dinner in the coziest little spot with cobble stone walls and exposed beams, food decent. Then how else to top off a perfect day but with a beautiful ride down the Seine river by boat. The river was like a lullaby after the day we have had. The weather is amazing and I can't imagine a finer day than this one....stay tuned. Mrs. Savage

Whew...We made it, but not without great adventure!

I need to you to forgive me right off the bat. European keyboards are unique so this may end up with some type oès. So we had a great departure in Houston. On time and everyone in seats near friends. Nice dinner and a little shut eye for some, movies for others. Then we had a little shock to the system in London, but not due to kids. Four adults that shall remain nameless, almost missed the plane. it was like a great scene in a movie where people are running and shouting "hold that plane!" except in this movie scene there were two angry art teachers standing there yelling and scowling. So very glad we packed our patience. As MHS is a beautifully eclectic blend of cultures, this means we have a wide variety of passports. Let's just cut right to it and say that one of your darlings didn't make it through customs in Paris. Satterwhite and I spent some time gravelling in a closed room with border agents after they declared "no Visa, no entry!" I asked "what happens now? How does this work?" and the same charming (not really...broom hilda is more like it) girl with zero sympathy on her face says "he goes home." Then one saviour yelled out "non! groupa!" They speak for a minute in French and then the same charming gal says in her most broken English "do you have money?" While I am processing "oh my goodness this is a bribe situation," Satterwhite, without hesitation says "how much" and she says "60euros" to which we both shout "yes. We have it!" So she says 60 € for temporary visa and its done. We walk out and through customs and are met by a cheering crowd of MHS kids and adults that were all sweating bullets with us. Thank goodness. This was a lot like the movies as well so Satterwhite and I are quitting to become actresses. I am sure after today, we are destined for the oscars. An hour later and some decent drama and Bon Jour Paris!!! Our hotel is nice. very Americanized, roomy and clean. The kids and adults are showering after a lovely meal and harried first trip through the metro then off to slumber. We are off to theLouvre tomorrow and then Montemarte, Dinner and then Siene river cruise. We will make phone cards and calling a priority as well but today we just flat ran out of time and steam so I do hope you are checking the blog. I have made friends with the cute girl at the front desk and offered her a tip for blogging. Please check this each day. She will let me use the computer again on Tuesday. The weather is spectacular...wish you all could be here with us. Bonsoir! Mme Savage

Bummer News...someone get Nicolas Sarkozy on the phone!

So I hear back from Guylaine, our tour guide while in Paris, that "Lisa, I have most unfortunate announcement regarding top floor of tour Eiffel. There is not possible to get your group to the top floor but we will enjoy an excellent view from the second floor that in my opinion has more beautiful view of Paris." So I reply and let her know that we are to the top floor or bust, how do we make it happen? S/he (can't decide if Guylaine is male or female) tells me that the top floor is closed to all visitors for renovation. This is one of those things that you just want to tell people you did, but it is a bit of a let-down once you finally get there. The walls are riddled with graffiti ("Scott loves Erin" "Gordon and Francesca engaged 2-14-87" "Thelma and Louise were here") etc' and it's just ugly up there in terms of the structure, platform and the creepy plexi windows looking into rooms that show some really deteriorated wax figures of old man Eiffel himself, appearing to be working over the blue prints for the tower. So I totally understand the renovation but am bummed to announce we won't get to the top, no matter how Southern we are with the ticket lady. (I was fully prepared to do my best Paula Dean to try and get us tickets!! Anything for you kids, anything for you.) EF tours said they will process a refund for the amount of the ticket to the top, after we return. I don't think it will be anything to get terribly excited about...less than $20.

I am signing off officially from the blog and keeping fingers crossed that you will be able to follow the blog while we are in Paris for finding an internet cafe nearby the hotel. If so, then you'll hear from me again on Sunday/Monday.

Bon Voyage everyone!!

We've special ordered some fantastic weather for us!

Ms. Satterwhite and I have placed an order for some fantastic weather from the weather menu and promised a big fat tip and guess what????

The seven day forecast from Sunday to Saturday while we are there is on the tip end of the scale. So the highs are really close to 60 degrees and the lows are all in the 40's. No rain (but also no snow), hardly any clouds or fog for that matter and a whole bunch of sunny faces with sunny glasses on the pictograms. "This is dream weather" to quote Ms. Sadleir.

Bon Voyage email pasted here....

For any of you having problems with email, I am also posting all emails that are going out to the group, here for you to read. Here is the latest....


Bon Jour everyone!!
Excitement abound. Ms. Satterwhite and I are making some fast and furious last minute preparations today and the one and only glitch we have found so far with EF (miracle of miracles!!) is that the emergency contact list doesn't really work as a tree as they propose. The reason being is that a few people on the list are actually going to be with us in Paris, thus not sitting by their phone and ready to make calls to the next person. So our tree is now a "fork." We have chosen three ultra reliable people (Jackie Silva-MHS sec'y, Joyce Lee- Ms. Satterwhite's mom, Patrick Savage- Ms. Savage's hubby) to contact in the event that we have minor changes. They have each been assigned a different third of our group to contact with any of these changes.
Reminder that we are meeting in the front parking lot of MHS at 4:00pm on Saturday. Each participant should have one Brittish Airways approved size, rolling bag, one carry on item (like your fancy schmancy EF tours backpack), your passport (can't leave home without it...sorry) and your euros, American dollars or your loaded ATM card. Thanks in advance for all of the parents driving. In an effort to conserve gas and time, some parents that didn't have anyone sign up to ride with them, have asked if their own child can now ride with someone else that does have a couple of people already riding. We'll make it work...I'll bring a shoe horn on Saturday.
Triple reminder: Pick your baby's up at 4pm on Saturday 21st at Intercontinental Airport, terminal E by 4pm sharp. If we are running a wee behind then just keep circling the airport or park and come in to the general waiting area for international arrivals. It's always fun to burst through the doors and see loved ones waiting for you. Call me a hopeless romantic, but it's just like the movies that way. IF for any reason we experience a lengthy delay and using a phone is possible (at the Paris or London airport for instance) then we'll use the "phone fork" to let you know.
We had our last meeting with the kids yesterday just to go over any last minute questions or share in our excitement for a minute or two. I told them that all of this anxiousness ends when we get on the plane in Houston. If we have forgotten all of our socks or a coat, etc. no worries. We'll work it out and it's now time to sit back and relax and have only a good experience. Please help encourage this "patience, flexibility, no worries" way of thinking at home as well.
Money matters: For any student that only has an ATM, they will need $20 in cash to exchange at IAH after we get checked in, so they have Euros to tide them over until we hit an ATM machine and can get them some more. They will need to have euros in their possession at all times for street vendors, smaller business purchases etc. For any student that is only bringing American dollars: S/he needs to get $20 in Euros here in Houston but because the exchange rage is higher, we'll be taking the group to a Cambio (money exchange), which is everywhere you turn in Paris, to exchange the rest for a little better rate.
Last: Sleeping on a plane is not easy to do though we will encourage it. It is a fabulous idea to pull the "parent card" and have your student get a great nights sleep on Friday so they are more prepared to hit the ground running on Sunday when we arrive.
If you have questions between now and Saturday, please email them. We will be checking email constantly right up until 3:00pm on Saturday.
Whew..who knew we'd finally get here. Thank you for being the most amazing group of parents, students and additional travelers. We know this will be an experience none of us will ever forget!
Bon Voyage,
Mrs. Savage

Mrs. Savage is quitting teaching to become a weather person. I just looked up the current five day forecast in Paris and it is spot on with what I told each of you to expect, with the chance of one wee bonus.... SNOW! Yes, the weather is 40-50's during the day and 20-30's at night with some light precipitation mixed in and even a little snow. Wow...what a treat that would be to see a little snow while we are there. I can only imagine how beautiful the acres of manicured gardens of Versailles would look with a light dust of snow. Maybe like a painting?? But really, please...I beg of you that no one will wallop Ms. Satterwhite with snowballs. That would be so disappointing and would make me terribly sad....sort of.

11 days until departure for Paris!

It is hard to believe we are only 11 days away from departure. You should be dusting off your luggage, thinking about what you are packing for the tour, what you might need to purchase for the trip, per our last meeting and making sure you have your Euros and/or debit cards in place.

I am positive we will never be the same after seeing Paris but I am wondering if Paris will ever be the same after our visit!!