Coming to the end of our Homestays

Happy 4th of July to all of you! It is certainly the perfect day for weather, sunny, warm, blue sky. We have checked in with the students and all is well.
As for news on what we're doing, that depends on the family. I hear some are going to see fireworks tonight; I'm a bit jealous since I have missed the 4th celebrations two years in a row....but... I got a car tour from my host family from Frejus all the way to Cannes. I saw Pierre Cardin's home, too spectacular to comprehend.
I know that Paul is fortunate today to be out on in a boat on the sea with his family. I can just imagine the great things your children are doing right now!
Yesterday I ran into Stephen and Patrick with their family who has four boys and they seemed to be doing fine.
In Frejus there are remains of a Roman colleseum..kind of eerie, also parts of an aquaduct too. It is amazing to see how much evidence of ancient Romans' hold exists.
The contrast of the mountains (look similar to Bryce Canyon) to the sea is amazing. This area is the perfect place to live. In the winter it may be cold with a bit of snow in the mountains, but the days always warm up enough to eat at a table outside. There is still enough countryside left although there is a lot of building going on toward Cannes and St.Tropez.
Tomorrow we will leave our homes and all meet around 11:00 to begin our ride to Cannes, then to Nice. As we continue our travel it will be getting hotter and be assured that we will keep everyone hydrated. Pictures should be spectacular and there will be lots of stories to tell and laugh about. Did you know that Katie thought St; Louis was in Minnesota? I had some gullible people believing that they could see the Eiffel Tower from the London eye; they even took pictures! Actually it was a huge cell tower or something like it! Nini, our delegation manager is so delightful that more kids wanted their picture taken with her than Paul and I. Paul and I have completely lost our status I guess. ha ha! Actually Paul took over navigation duties throughout Paris since our bus driver, a Romanian who lives in the Netherlands, didn't read maps well! Paul gets a gold star for that. We should be getting a new driver for the last leg of the journey. Until later,
time for a short siesta for this leader. Julie

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