Poitiers

On Wednesday, February 1st, seven Fulbright teachers, one husband, and three children trekked across France to the mid-year meeting in Poitiers.  Just days before, the weather had decided to turn bitterly cold so we were all bundled up and barely recognizable under all of our hats and scarves.

Jed and I walked to our train station before 7:00 a.m. and arrived in Paris around 11:00.  Fortunately, we ran into Stephen at the Gare de Lyon, and he had already figured out how to get us to the Gare Montparnasse on the métro.  I had forgotten how long everything takes when you're carrying way too much luggage.  When will I learn?!

Jed was a great helper!

Not long after we arrived in Poitiers, the entire crowd was treated to a walking tour of the city which we would have appreciated more if the weather had been just about ten degrees warmer.

Notre Dame La Grande

Hôtel de Ville

Eleanor d'Aquitaine had this built and Joan of Arc was interrogated here, I think.  I need to check those facts, though.  I was frozen during the tour.

Joan of Arc

Dan then took the three kids back to the hotel while the exchange teachers went to an opening reception at the university.  They all met us for dinner afterwards at a local restaurant that Carrie found for us.

My chocolate dessert

On Thursday and Friday, the teachers had lots of meetings while Dan hung out with the boys.  We were all free after lunch on Friday so we all shopped for a while, and Jed got a very, very slight haircut, which he protested greatly and hated with every fiber of his being.

Jeanne and her new coat

Amy and the boys at What's Up Coffee next to our fabulous hotel, the Grand Hôtel