Dimanche, Paris!

Day 2,

Bonjour sunny Paris! The bags and we arrived safely at 6:30 am. This morning, which seems like weeks ago now! What a full, fun packed day!
After a quick mini tour of some main sights, we left our bags at the hotel and strolled to a local café for a typical French breakfast.
After that we took on the challenge of travelling by the Metro, first stop, the Trocadero, where a “living statue” amused us all.
A short walk past the bottom of the Eiffel tower took us to our boat. We enjoyed a wonderful cruise down the scene in the sunshine.
Back onto the Metro like true Parisians we make our way to the Cité des Sciences where we had a fascinating guided tour followed by a 3D film and then time to try out and play with many hands-on exhibits. Suppertime by then and we have now got back to our hotel, very ready for another day of interesting cultural experiences tomorrow. We are so impressed with the students’ eager, open-minded attitudes as well as their stamina. It’s going to be a great week!

First pictures

Addis Ababa

So far so good! Arrived here in Ethiopia on time after a smooth flight from Lilongwe, everything under control, no problems, sorry... Next flight will leave -on time as of now- in a little over 3 hours: Paris here we come! Mood excellent. Great group of kids!

Leaving time Saturday

Leaving time tomorrow will be 11 a.m.(parents' letter)and not 10 a.m. (latest itinerary on blog)by bus at school. Sorry about the confusion. Gathering time however: 10 a.m. I hope to see you tomorrow!

updated itinerary and latest parents' letter

Saturday 24th September Departure 10.00 school, 15.20 (ET871L) by Ethiopian Airlines to Paris through Addis 20.45-23.55 (ET704L)

Sunday 25th Arrival 6.30 (ET704L), breakfast in café La Cantoche, a.m. Bateaux Parisiens boat ride on Seine., p.m. Cité de la Science guided tour + Géode 3D experience + evening Montmartre district

Monday 26th a.m. Père Lachaise p.m. tour Pompidou (1.30), Eiffel Tower, evening: bowling

Tuesday 27th a.m. shopping/market and Catacombes, surprise p.m., tour Quai d’Orsay/Notre Dame

Wednesday 28th London by Eurostar 6.43-7.59 departure (packed breakfast) Paris, 20.42-23.17 departure (packed meal) London: City trip, London Eye, tour Tate Modern Gallery, little shopping, some “Olympic London”, live show surprise 2 .00-6.00, lunch in pub

Thursday 29th a.m. guided tour Versailles, p.m shopping and tour Louvre 4 p.m., evening Aquaboulevard

Friday 30th September Visit to Disneyland Paris (Disney Park, Disney Studios + surprise); night flight 22.05 (ET705L) back home through Addis 6.20-9.30 (ET871L)

Saturday 1st October Arrival Kamuzu Airport 14.35, expected arrival school 16.00





Lilongwe, 20th September 2011



Dear parents/guardians,

In a few days we will leave for beautiful Paris and London, time for some final information:

*transport: we will leave BMIS (car park next to hall) by school bus Saturday 24th September 11 a.m. sharp and would like you to say goodbye to your children at school; please do not come to the airport in order not to confuse students and arrangements; Saturday 1st October we will be back in school 4 p.m., please come to school and not to the airport to collect your child; in case of delay we will post that on our weblog; if you wish you could call the airport to find out about arrival times
*luggage: make sure all appropriate luggage is in your son/daughter’s suitcase; for a clothing list please check weblog and do not forget about swimming clothes and drawing stuff; please anticipate on autumn conditions = chilly and wet; use 1 piece of 20 kgs as a guideline + maybe have a spare bag to transport all the souvenirs your children will buy for you
*information:if you have additional questions, please consult www.bmisgoesparislondon2011.blogspot.com in the first place; furthermore: all chaperones will be available 9.30 a.m. onwards this Saturday to answer to your questions; in France we will update the weblog every night, so you will be informed about your son’s/daughter’s activities + photos on a daily basis; mobile phones and e-mailing are not allowed for all sorts of reasons; only in the case of an emergency you can contact me through our Head Teacher Mr. Paul Harrison: 0999785466
*passports: have your child bring in her/his passport Friday 23rd September at the latest; we will triple check all details (validity, visas (double (!) entry Schengen, UK), TEP/PRP/other etc.), but it remains the responsibility of the parents to have everything sorted; we will keep the passports in a safe place so we can do a group check-in (no pointed/sharp objects and liquids in the hand luggage please) at the airport; the chaperones will take care of the passports during the duration of the trip
* pocket money: please place the pocket money in an envelope (guideline 150 euros and 30 pounds) and write on it the amount of pocket money + name student on Saturday: staff will take care of the administration of the pocket money in order to avoid losing and spending too much money
*medicines: please make sure your child knows what medicine to take, when, how and do not forget to pack it; we do have a list of all needed medicines, together with dietary requirements and it is all taken care of
*valuables: are taken at own risk for the simple reason that we won’t have time to spend at police stations finding out about lost/stolen items
*import tax: anticipate upon paying import tax on newly bought items as soon as we are back in Lilongwe, although last year the customs were very cooperative; have your child keep receipts
*missed classes: will have to be caught up at responsibility students
*latest itinerary:
Check out weblog
*extra 1st break meetings students: Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd September

Thank you very much for your cooperation and we hope to see you this Saturday.

Very much looking forward to have a fantastic time in France and UK with a fantastic group of young people,

also on behalf of the rest of the crew: Anne Taylor, Rachel Almeida and Sangamesh Rajeshwar



Willem Snieder, trip coordinator

Language training Wednesday 7th September

Wednesday 7th September 13.45 - 15.00 there will be a French language session for all trip participants in S5. The usual after school activities should be skipped for one time. Please arrange for transport back home. Thank you/Merci bien!

22nd August parents and students meeting

 Trip open for Years 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (school year 2011/2)
 Staff: Mrs. Almeida, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Rajeshwar, Mr. Snieder
 Ethiopian Airlines takes care of the flights
 Ça Va Trips is UK travel organization in France with representative Julie during whole trip
 Trip cost 425,000 MKW = all inclusive except for pocket money + possible visa costs
 There is a regularly updated weblog (please visit): http://bmisgoesparislondon2011.blogspot.com
Maximum of 40 participants
 Schengen visa for Paris
 Contact German embassy 01772555
 School does preparatory work
 Free
 Fill in application form (available)
 1 passport photograph
 Passport valid for at least 3 months return
 Exemption for most European countries and US
 Consulate open 9-12 working days
 UK visa for London
 www.ukvisas.gov.uk
 Teveta House opening house 8-15
 Takes 10 working days
 Costs involved
 2 clean pages passport
 2 passport photos
 VISAS ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS (tip: go for one before and one after holiday)
 Please take a copy from the piles
 TEP, PRP, other: make sure they are in –valid- passport
 RESIDENCE PERMITS ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS
 Students/parents must bring cheques (address to Bishop Mackenzie International School and write bmisgoesparislondon2011 on the back) into the financial office immediately on arrival at school. They will be issued with a receipt. Cheques should be placed in a sealed envelope clearly labelled with your child’s/children’s name and class.

 *1st instalment
 May 13th 2011
 MKW 120,000
 *2nd instalment
 June 3rd 2011
 MKW 120,000
 *final payment
 August 17th 2011
 MKW 185,000
 Air ticket 232,000 MKW
 Travel agency France 165,000 MKW
 Medical/
 cancellation insurance 6,000 MKW
 Surprises 17,000 MKW
 Contingency 5,000 MKW

 --------------------

 Total 425,000 MKW against the current exchange rates
 of MKW/euro/pound/dollar
 Behaviour contract
 Payment slip
 Indemnity form + medical information + dietary requirements + contact details
 Please fill the documents out this evening and have relevant pages (personal details + validity and residence permit) of passport photocopied
 No mobile phones allowed: security, value, focus; all communication through Head Teacher Mr Harrison + weblog we’ll update on a daily basis
 Pocket money: guideline 150 euros, 30 pounds: obtain the Forex on time (letter available tonight); there will simply be no time to exchange currencies in Paris and London
 Weblog forum + ask your child about letters
 Packing list after holiday (Mrs. Almeida in a minute)
 Waiting list
 Tags
 Chaperone system
 Insurance
 Malaria
 Surprises
 Missed schoolwork responsibility student
 Rooming: friends + friends
 Valuables at own risk
 Every Thursday students’ meeting S5 10.15
 Saturday 24th September: please be on time, 9.00 a.m.
 Security: 5 parents, safety children/students first priority, permanent contact with school




Roleplays to prepare students:
AT THE EIFFEL TOWER SOUVENIR SHOP
You want to buy a present for your little sister/brother. You have €15 to spend.
• Bonjour mademoiselle/monsieur. Qu’est-ce que tu voudrais ?
(Tell the shop lady that you want a present for your little sister/brother.
• Je voudrais un cadeau pour mon petit frère/ma petite sœur.
• Alors, voici des casquettes,
ou il y a aussi des porte clés,
de jolis sacs,
des T-shirts très cool,
et de petits Tours Eiffel.

(Ask how much the caps are.)
• C’est combien les casquettes ?
• Sept euros.

(Ask how much the pens are.)
• Et les stylos sont combien ?
• Trois euros.
•
•
•
• What to take: Small rucksack (5kg.):
• *book/puzzles/games
• *travel documents
• *toiletries bag, filled
• *sunglasses
• *pen + notebook
• *camera + other valuables
• Suitcase (20kg.) :
• *6 changes of underwear and socks
• *3 long-sleeved shirts
• *3 t-shirts
• *2 jumpers/sweatshirts
• *2 pairs of trousers
• *2 shorts
• *2 pairs of pyjamas
• *tracksuit
• *1 towel
• *1 pair of trainers, 1 or more pair(s) of shoes
• *hat/cap
• *raincoat
• *plastic carrier bag for dirty laundry
• *jacket
• * valuables at own risk
• Please ensure that all items are clearly named!
•

!