February 18th was a day 25 Tahoma families have been looking forward to for months now.  At 2:00, students and their kin gathered in front of the school; eagerly waiting the arrival of a shuttle bus. 

Families came together with flowers, "Welcome" signs, and balloons.  Cameras flashed for excited faces, and quick chatter erupted eagerly questioning "How do you say 'My name is...'?" and "Bonjour means 'hello', right?  Right?!". 25 students of Institution Jeanne d’Arc, flew an 11 hour nonstop flight to Seattle to be greeted by Tahoma families. 

From a private high school in Etampes, France, the French students departed from their homes, 45 minutes outside of Paris to visit our lovely Washington state for two whole weeks!  Stepping off the bus, teenaged French ladies and gentlemen greeted not with handshakes, but with two kisses, one on each cheek: "Un, deux!" Alexandra Clement proclaimed as she showed me the traditional French welcoming. 

On the ride home, Alex commented on our great city of Maple Valley; describing how there are so many trees, and our city compared to her village was so big!  Alex was especially impressed with our view of Mt. Rainier: "In Paris," she says, "We don't have mountains; to see one with snow is so beautiful." 

With my bedroom decorated (credit to Nicholas Chilo and Brooke Jones) with balloons, streamers, and pictures of Gerard Butler, Alex felt right at home. Although tired, she was excited to go places and see the most simplest of things.  "Safeway was big!"  she declared; and she was impressed by how we have Starbucks everywhere.  "In Paris," Alex describes, "There is only one Starbucks, and it is so expensive."

The following weekend, Alex, friends, and I ventured to the Tacoma Dome to support Tahoma wrestlers that made it to State.  Alex had one word to say:  "Big!"

Realizing Americans love their food, Alex was opened to trying everything.  Although used to McDonalds, we went countless times!  Any hour of the day, which was unusual for her.  "Americans eat so early, and all the time!  We eat dinner at 7:00, sometimes 8:00." A huge fan of Starbucks too, Alex enjoyed how the coffee was "inexpensive".  As for other fast food restaraunts: Taco Time now has a French fan; but Subway definitely doesn't.

Going to school exposed Alex to American school life, and me to other French students!  Taking pictures at lunch, Rad Pourcyrus questioned my purpose with the camera.  "I'm doing it for journalism."  I responded, and Rad replied, "For the Tahoma Times?"  I was instantly amazed!  Only one day in the school, and he seemed to know all about it!

My student, Alex, 16 years old, has been part of my family these past two weeks.  I'm sad to say, she left Thursday morning.  As becoming a great friend in my life, I will always treasure the memories of Pike Place Market, numerous trips to the mall, and watching films en francais, which we matched up for some reason unknown to me with Spanish subtitles.  In remembrance of the good times, you are missed dearly, French students.  Au revoir!