Day 1/Travel

Our voyage commenced with long bus journey to Calais with stop at Reims, first of many coffee conversations with the other profs. At the border, the kids passed through British douanes (customs) without any problems, but I had to get a travel visa as a non-EU citizen. We took the Eurotunnel across to England, but not on the famous Eurostar train. M, our chauffer, drove the bus into a large train car and we stayed inside for the 30 minute journey. One student felt a bit ill due to the lack of moving air, but everything was fine. I actually got to sleep during the 3 hour trip from Folkstone to Brighton as all of the kids had passed out. As we pulled up to the pier on that dewy morn, V explained that we would have free time for the whole morning. The students thought that this meant “follow profs around and hang out.” They were quickly disabused of this notion and we settled into a delicious English breakfast at a café (sausages, eggs, ham, the works). Then, we strolled along the pier and in the city center, passing many lost students trying to figure out that “bank” really was the English equivalent of “banque” in their desperate search for ATMs. We ate a scrumptious lunch of fish and chips with Guinness at a seaside café and I learned about some of the obstacles university students face in France as they try to become certified teachers. That afternoon, we toured the King’s Pavilion which was built by King George IV of England. We got audioguides in French and I learned that the Music Room had suffered water, fire, and wind damage but the builders wouldn’t be deterred. After some nice tea at a café, we met our host families. All of the profs were staying together with an older couple. A, our hostess, showed us around the neighborhood and explained that it was very safe and thankfully “there are NO black people.” I almost chocked on my chicken right then. More updates to come…