OCTOBER 21, 1960
Language Teacher Tours France During Summer
On June 24, she and her two sons, Glenn and John, took a plane out of O'Hare and arrived in London, where they resided or one week.
"I did have an unusual experience," related Mrs. Hackett. "Upon our entrance into Bordeaux, France, my purse, which contained all my valuables and passport, was stolen. It was quite a jumble, as I had to obtain a new passport through the French consul"
Her main goal in France was to visit the Roman ruins. During their stay in France, they lived with a French family in the town of Libourne. No English was spoken in this village. This was the hub from which they traveled to other points of interest.
"The terrain of France varies," she observed. "There is the smooth coast of the French Riviera, and then the wild, rocky Atlantic coast in contrast. Then, of course, she added, "You have the flat agricultural area, and the mountain ranges, so there is quite a variety of scenery."
"The food diet consisted mostly of artichokes and mushrooms, as July and August is the season for reaping these vegetables. We could buy a bottle of wine for merely 20 cents," she added that it was "quite delicious!"
Mrs. Hackett herself did not concentrate too much on buying souvenirs, but Glenn and John purchased a couple of bicycles! and pedaled their way through Belgium, France, and Germany.
"The people were so friendly, and charming. We learned many lessons from them everyday." Thus, Mrs. Hackett sums up the hospitality of the French. She arrived back in the U.S.A. on August 24, and although she had a wonderful time, she claims exuberantly, "I'm certainly glad to be back!!"