A Week

Apologies for not writing in a while. Last week was hectic.

On Wednesday school ended around 1:30, as usual. I made my way home and started some homework and SAT Prep, but I forgot about the errands I needed to run. So after a reminder call from Will, I hurried out the door and into centre ville. I ought my ticket for paris at the Gare and then went on a mission to find a guitar shop. Mission Accomplished. I found a guitar shop just near Place Sainte Anne and my strings were serviced in no time. I rushed home to meet Alejandra and off we went to bowling with Lycée Victor Helen Basch, a high school just outside of Rennes. 

The bowling alley was classy, I must say. It wasn't dirty and sticky like a typical American bowling alley. The couches were comfortable and at 8pm the lights went out and the strobes came on. It was great to bond with French kids our own age over an activity that we don't really get to do that often. We were all pretty "nul" at bowling and after one game each team gave up. Instead, we all talked from 6:30 until 9, making plans to meet up again.

On Thursday, we didn't go to school. At all. Instead, we were dispersed to high schools in and around Rennes and met by students who took us through a typical day in the life of a French élève.

I started my day in the rain, freezing, and walked to Jean Macé, which is a public high school really near SYA. Some people go there for lunch, sometimes. I prefer St. Vincent's café myself.

Amaya and Maddie from school were assigned the same school, and we all met in the "Accueil" of Jean Macé. My student-guide was named Fanny. Amaya's was named Sophie. Fanny and Sophie had all their classes together, so Amaya and I weren't totally lost.

Our first class was "Philosophie." 2 hours. Philosophy. No breaks. It was mind-numbing.

We then made our way to the Gymnase where we watched Fanny do "Step" for two hours. Yes, another two hours. We read and wrote. A lot.

Gymnase was followed by Dejeuner, another two hours, a Geography test and an English class - in which we were told a story of a unicorn. Quite the experience.

All in all, I'm glad I went to SYA instead of a French high school. With all the people I've met and things I've done, I don't regret my decision for a moment.