last days in Biarritz...!

hard to believe the two weeks (+ 1/2 for those who did the Paris extension program..) are up! Those leaving + myself are all back safely to CDG airport hotel, ready to leave on our various planes/trains in the a.m.  The final days in Biarritz included surf lesssons (once again, pics don't do it justice...!), an optional afternoon trip to St. Jean de Luz and our farewell crepe dinner party.  Almost all the girls tried surfing and I learned from watching them (and surveying their various bruises...) that it's MUCH harder than the pros make it look.  It's been a phenominal experience to see the girls make progress with their french and I'm grateful to have gotten to know each of them a little better. My best wishes as each start various years, especially senior!..perhaps a few will persist with fluency in french, where the real magic comes into play! merci a tous! Elizabeth

des Aventures!

Many adventures! Wednesday the girls did a "chasse au tresor" (scavenger hunt) around Biarritz which included tasks requiring each of them to communicate with the locals in french.  Their initial hesitations changed immediately when it came to talking to surfers; suddenly they were chatty chatty, imagine that.  Thursday we took a magnificent rafting trip in the Pyrenees which included "man overboard" excercises, jumping from "falaises" (cliffs!) but we were well outfitted in helmets, wetsuits, lifejackets and our excellent professional guides made it a LOT of fun (still we wondered what the vultures were waiting for...).  Friday was an optional "randonnee en montagne"/mountain hike.  We definitely covered a good portion of the pyrenees it seemed and at one point could keep one foot in France with the other in Spain... Yesterday, enfin, was our excursion to San Sebastian, Spain. Another city packed with more charm, breathtaking architecture and history (and tapas!) than is possible to describe or imagine.  Again the pictures won't do it justice but I'll add the best I have...Some girls mention things they miss at home, but I certainly am seeing all smiles and fun.  Happy "Fete des peres"/father's day! to all the families. a tres bientot!

Bonjour de Biarritz!

Salut! Salut! From one of the most fabulous corners of the world, the southwest Atlantic coast of France! where "basque" country meets Spain, the coast and the Pyrennes mountains (all of which we can see from standing on the beach...). I'm sorry but the pictures I'm about to upload do NOT do it justice.  Biarritz is absolutely breathtaking, so much so that the girls' minor culture shock upon arrival diminished signficantly with every corner we turned.  Allie said "it's scary, but at least I'm HERE in this incredible spot"..Ellie said today while lounging on the beach: "I used to think Long Island had the greatest beaches..." and many other comments (such as "can we go into THIS boutique?" ten girls, you can imagine).  All the students are doing fantastic, especially now that they've started their classes, met their families, learned their way around town, and eaten 4 dozen crepes. ok, 3 dozen. I'm very impressed to see their efforts in the language increasing so quickly, as they have had a LOT of french thrown at them in very little time; each day I'm hearing more and more from each of them. It's normal for the "deer in headlight" reaction for a time, each time they're spoken to, but every day that is changing.  It's the effort that counts! We've planned some fun activites for the next 10 days, least amongst which are surf lessons and rafting in the pyrennes.  I will keep you updated!   - Elizabeth

2011 Biarritz SU1 MO