St. Malo / Cancale (April 9th)

Bonjour à LaSalle!  It’s gonna be pretty tough to top what was an amazing day.  Then again, seeing how this trip just keeps getting better and better, it’s certainly possible.  I’ll keep it short while I let the students explain for themselves.  We started with a bus ride to the coast of France to visit the walled port city of Saint Malo.  From there it was a short drive to an oyster farm in Cancale.  On our way home, an impromptu choir session led by none other than Ms. Knox capped off what in my mind was a perfect day.  Scroll down for student write ups.  Sophia Bastounes will be sharing her thoughts on the oyster farm while Hannah Sudworth will offer part one of her experience in St. Malo.  Be on the look out for part two from Hannah tomorrow.  Au revoir!

Written by Sophia Bastounes (Cancale Oyster Farm)

Today we went to an oyster farm in Cancale.  It was a very interesting experience.  The first thing we did there was watch a short movie about oysters, their life cycle and the steps to raise oysters.  I thought it was very interesting that you have to leave the oysters in the water for three years before harvesting.  It ensures good taste.  After the movie we walked into the warehouse where they sort the good oysters from the bad ones.  This is also where they are cleaned.  There were only four people sorting them, which was cool to see because there were so many oysters to be sorted.  Then we got to try an oyster!  The woman who was showing us around said that they were very salty, the opposite of pineapples.  She was right.  When I tried mine, it was salty and slimy… I won’t be trying one again (but many of my classmates certainly will).  The experience was still very fun for me however.

Written by Hannah Sudworth (Saint Malo – Part One)

Before we went to Cancale, we went to the town of St. Malo.  It is a modern town, but still has its fortified city walls from a long time ago.  We went into the castle, which has been converted into a history museum of St. Malo.  We toured the museum, learning lots about French explorers, the slave trade in St. Malo, and the city in general.  It was very interesting and we all learned a lot.  After we had toured the museum, we went up to the hugest tower in the castle, which had a lookout point.  It was absolutely stunning and everyone took many pictures.  Then we went back downstairs and left the museum.  We walked down to the beach where we had a really nice picnic, which was very fun!