Home again, jetlagged and happy

I had the luxury of spending the day in Paris on my way back during a 12 hour layover. I went directly to Pont St. Michel to see if it looked familiar after forty years. It didn't! Forty years ago, I was a Jeune Fille Au Pair and went from Thias to Pont St. Michel to go to school each day at the Alliance Francaise. Some days I bought a crepe fromage, so I did--instead of a street cart, it was a little cubbyhole restaurant with an open door in the alley. On Sundays, in those days, I used to attend the very glorious organ recitals at Cathedrale Notre Dame. So my first order of business was to check on the reparations of the cathedral.

I had planned to vist Musee Jeu du Paume, but it was such a beautiful, sunny day I thought I should stay outside as much as I could, so I decided to visit the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triompe. I was thinking about how many books I've read and movies I've seen that contain these historic Parisien sites. Walking along the Champs Elysees makes me feel like Amy from Little Women, Pont Neuf like I'm Jason Bourne and the Arc de Triompe like I'm in the Jet Li film, Kiss of the Dragon. I know. I'm weird.

I had breakfast on the Champs Elysees and took photographs not to neglect Donna. (Ouefs Benedict, cafe au lait et baguette grille avec confiture de fraises) I chose this particular cafe because it was right beside the "McDonald's cafe" which struck me as comical.

Reflections on GPS:

I have been thinking about my time in Chettipalayam and have decided that I saw a little bit of heaven while I was there. Joyful children being the sign of the miracle. I will continue to work with Maria, developing an assessment for this year and future years for judging the success of the carnatic music program. I now sing sa, ba, sa instead of doh soh doh! I will continue to work with Raymond on the school anthem. I will send a few books to the librarian, Kalyani who is especially wonderful.

With the kitchen ladies....

My housemate Kevin was a lovely friend. He is a thoughtful and compassionate person--we will be in good hands in the future with the likes of him! I plan to have him over to Waterloo in the fall.

Kevin learned how to make dosas from Jaina (the cook)and taught me.

On Friday,my last day at school, I took a few photos of the goings-on from 3:30 to 4:30 (sorry I didn't include chess in the library) and it was wonderful to see kids from 3:30 to 4:30 still joyful and engaged in extracurricular activities.

I took a few extra photos of the garden, the canteen, the compost and the beautiful flowering archway that leads back to the school from the canteen.

One of the most extraordinary people I've met is Latha, the principal. She surprised me by being eversomuch warmer, intelligent and with an excellent sense of humour than when I met her in the Teacher Task Force meetings on zoom! (more proof that it's better to meet in person!) She is a wonderful leader in the school. She was a teacher for 11 or 12 years there, a really good one according to the other teachers, highly respected, and though she is a very busy person, still took time to check on me! I admire her very much. This photo was taken at the Monday assembly--isn't she beautiful? This was after the flag was raised--there are always flower petals falling out of the folded flag that are released into the wind. I wish our Ontario students could be so attentive and well-behaved at assemblies!

I think I will miss it always and hope to return some day. Thanks for coming on this adventure with me!