Yesterday, a very special guest came in our classroom. We had to guess who he was and why he was here.
How exciting !
His name is Eamon - or Marc Turpin.
Why does he have two names ?
Because he was working at the French Légion Étrangère, which is a special unit of the French army for foreign soldiers, so he had a kiwi name and a French pseudonym. Only men can join the "Légion". How unfair !
He had a huge 24 kilos bag full of military clothes and items, and we were lucky enough to try them...and the bag !
That bag seems a bit heavy for Cedric !
We learnt a lot with our visitor, we had to locate so many new countries on our world map
as Eamon told us about 5 different countries he worked in Africa: Mali, Gabon, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire and Centrafrican Republic. He also worked in French Guyana. We discovered what an 'orpailleur' is and how Cote d'Ivoir got its name. We had some serious talk about why petrol is so important and often the cause of war and how some children are trained to be soldiers.
"Jungle" style for Juliette! It's a Brasilian military jacket.
We also learnt a lot of new big words like "boussole', "munition", "défenses d'éléphant", and how '"mercure" destroys the Amazone.
That's a match ! Anita looks fantastic in her "desert" outfit.
We talked about the unusual food food Eamon tasted as he worked in those exotic countries, such as anaconda's flesh while in French Guyana.
We talked about the unusual food food Eamon tasted as he worked in those exotic countries, such as anaconda's flesh while in French Guyana.
With her broken arm, Loane looks like a real warrior !
We learnt that the Saint patron of the "Légionaires" is Saint Michel and recalled the story of St Mickel killing the dragon and the famous fountain in Paris.
We learnt that the Saint patron of the "Légionaires" is Saint Michel and recalled the story of St Mickel killing the dragon and the famous fountain in Paris.
Sophie, lovely warrior of the jungle.
There are 3 different types of outfits depending on the location the army operates in: forest, jungle or desert.
There are 3 different types of outfits depending on the location the army operates in: forest, jungle or desert.
Alice D a desert fox !
Ruma 1 children all got a chance to carry the 25 kg bag and try some army clothes.
Ruma 1 children all got a chance to carry the 25 kg bag and try some army clothes.
Even as a soldier, Emily's still lovely !
Nice outfit Louis G !
Zvee is already at war, hiding himself from potential enemies !
A soldier in tongs ? That's possible for Miss Nina !
Even our stagiaire tried the outfits ! With her, Lily and Max are a super trio of the army!
Tristan is the new Rambo with his military jackets...and his rangers !
They weigh over a 1 kilo each.
They weigh over a 1 kilo each.
Molly has a new coat !
Captain Max with his white képi !
Ava with the béret and Cédric aka général the Gaulle.
The béret is a symbol of the skydivers (that was Eamon's job), whereas the képi is a symbol of the Légion Etrangère.
The béret is a symbol of the skydivers (that was Eamon's job), whereas the képi is a symbol of the Légion Etrangère.
Ollie with the képi, the belt with numerous pockets (for water, food and munition and...grenades !)
Once full, the belt can weigh about 10 kg!
Once full, the belt can weigh about 10 kg!
One of our best memory of the year: Eamon has found a new weight for his bag !
Eamon was a "Para" although, when he was our age, he dreamt to be an All Black. He's back now from France because he wants to enroll in the Kiwi army as it is very hard to get up the French Legion ladder when you are a foreigner. He was really happy to talk French with us. He can also speak Russian! We hope we will see him again next year.
Thank you so much for sharing your time and experiences with Ruma 1 Eamon! A bientôt!
Pauline and Axelle
