One student in this entry has asked in 2012 that his identity be hidden for Internet security reasons. We are using his initials instead. Antoine, E., and Vincent left Harrisburg today at 12:30 p.m., heading for Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. This was the first leg of their journey to their homeland, where they will no doubt be greeted warmly by family and friends.
Host families and a friend met today to wish the guys farewell and see them off. It was difficult to get the guys to move toward the van. I was obvious that saying goodbye was difficult for everyone.
About a half-mile down the Interstate, we were overtaken by one of the families passing and waving Vincent's cell phone. We both pulled over and the exchange was made quickly. Vincent lost the chocolate chip cookie he was eating as he reached for the phone. It seems that Antoine had brought with him a bag of good things to eat and was willing to share.
During the two and a half hour drive. I overheard the boys talking about food (big burgers, especially), cars, signs announcing "Repent, the end is near," cemeteries, and their parents' countries of origin, among other things. There was a lot of laughter, some of it uncontrollable. E. talked so fast that my head began to spin.Soon after we left Pennsylvania, the van got silent as the guys took a short snooze. Soon they awoke and began looking forward to our arrival at the airport.
We could not get too close to the terminal, so we trekked some distance across the parking lot, all the while guessing who had the heaviest suitcase and would need to pay for overage. As it turns out, they weighed their luggage in the terminal and were all under the 50-pound limit.
Our group was the second to arrive, but soon the Air France ticketing area was abuzz with LEC students. When Vincent's brother arrived (he had been staying near Littlestown, Adams County), the two were obviously happy to see each other. Guillaume had brought his brother a can of Red Bull, then opened his suitcase to display some souvenirs.As soon as the chaperon Ania had checked in the boys and I had reported in to Louise Lamy, I was anxious to get back on the road and avoid some of the evening rush hour. Deb Bowers, LEC coordinator at Littlestown, took a picture of me and the boys (at their insistence, I might add!), and then we all shook hands, and I hit the road.
Once past the traffic, I took the opportunity to stop at a farm stand in Virginia and buy some apples, then had something to eat at The Shamrock Restaurant in Thurmont, Maryland. The rest of the trip home was uneventful. I was happy to have delivered our precious cargo and delighted that another summer of LEC students had shared a wonderful experience with their host families.
Guillaume Rolea shows brother Vincent some trucs he had bought.
Antoine, Vincent, John, and E.
The crowd gets larger and louder.
Louise checks off the host families.
