"We learned that they don't cook with all of the seasoning that we are used to here in Louisiana," said Jill. "But they enjoyed the difference in the taste that they are used to."
The pen pal family has relatives in Baton Rouge, so in the meantime they contacted Mrs. Nizzo and asked to exchange information to meet up over the Christmas break.
"It's a good cultural exchange for the students," added Nizzo.
"The family was very interested in the old buildings and the history of Donaldsonville," said Paige. "We walked around the schools and inside of the classrooms to see the difference between a public and a catholic school."
Paige also said that they journeyed to Bellina's Food Store and got ice cream and enjoyed their treats on the levee. The two discussed hurricanes and earthquakes and even talked about the difference between their religious backgrounds.
Unlike Mardi Gras celebration in Louisiana, Halloween and Cinco de Mayo are big holidays for them in Freemont.
The Gautreau family plans to make a trip to visit her pen pal in Freemont in the future.
Currently three classes at Ascension Catholic send and receive pen pal letters: two fourth grade classes and one-sixth-grade class.
Donaldsonville, La. —
