High Life / A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : <i> Vive la Vacation!</i> : Travel: The Eiffel Tower, Jim Morrison’s grave and protesting farmers are just some of the memories from a Sunny Hills student’s <i> tour de France.</i>

Standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower, holding on for dear life to my friend Debby, I looked out at Paris and suddenly realized . . . I was in France.

This was the trip I had been waiting a year for, and Paris was its culmination. Despite what it took to reach the top of La Tour Eiffel , this was just one of many exciting parts of our trip.

We saw striking truckers, had our train blocked by protesting farmers, visited historical monuments and sunbathed on a Mediterranean beach. In the upcoming days, we would see EuroDisneyland, Monet’s beautiful gardens at Giverny. . . but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Every two years, a group of Orange County French teachers organizes a trip to Europe for its students.

Lynn Johnson, my French language teacher at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, had talked about the trip since September, but I hadn’t considered going until the spring. When I told my parents about the opportunity, they were so excited that my dad sent the money in, and I was soon on my way.

After two pre-trip meetings at school, during which I discovered I would have to survive with three outfits for 18 days, I boarded our Lufthansa flight on June 25 for my first trip to Europe, and my first trip without my family.

The following are excerpts from a journal I kept throughout our visit to Switzerland and France.

June 27--Geneva: This morning we took a guided tour of the city. We saw St. Peter’s Cathedral, which was the center of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, the United Nations building, and a rose garden with roses named after Christian Dior, Harry S. Truman and Queen Elizabeth II.

Every year on the last day of school--this year it was today--the city throws its students a carnival at the university. No adults are allowed, and from the sounds of the children’s screams, they’re having a blast.

June 28--Annecy: We visited the Chateau of Chillon on the shores of Lake Leman, the castle which inspired Lord Byron to write his poem “Prisoner of Chillon.” On a pillar in the castle’s dungeon we saw where Byron carved his name.

Annecy sits on crystal-clear Annecy Lake at the foot of Mt. Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. I can’t begin to understand the lives of the people who live here. It seems like a fairyland to me, but it’s real to them. This afternoon, we went paddle-boating on the lake, just like the locals.

June 29--Annecy: We traveled up Mt. Blanc to the Aiguille du Midi, 3,842 meters above sea level. I hated riding in the tram suspended from wires over the mountain, but the spectacular view was worth it. I thought I was brave until I saw people leaping off the mountain in parachutes!

June 30--Avignon: We finally made it to Avignon, 3 1/2 hours late. The truck drivers are on strike and have blocked the main roads by abandoning their vehicles next to one another across the road. We were forced to take the back roads, which resulted in major traffic jams as these, too, are beginning to be blocked.

Our teachers said the French protest like this all the time. Once, they said, the sheep farmers released all their sheep on the streets of Paris, leaving the police to get rid of them. Often, farmers protest by dumping potatoes on the roads.

July 3--Nice: We toured the beautiful and rich principality of Monaco. I am fascinated by Monaco’s royal family and was excited to see the houses of Princesses Stephanie and Caroline. I took pictures of both houses, and then stopped in front of Caroline’s to reload some film. The guard yelled at me to keep walking. I think he thought I was going to kidnap the kids.

This afternoon, we went sunbathing on the beach, which is made up of rocks and not sand. Summer on the French Riviera-- Quelle vie!

July 6--Paris: This evening we took a boat cruise down the Seine River. It was dark by the time we reached the Eiffel Tower and it was lit up. It was beautiful.

July 7--Paris: We visited Versailles, whose gardens and fountains are exquisite. One of the most interesting things was the Orangery, a garden of potted palm and orange trees.

This afternoon, after lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, I saw “ Le Pere de la Mariee “ (“Father of the Bride”) dubbed in French. Even though I didn’t understand it all, I still cried at the wedding.

Tonight I actually made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Despite the terrifying ride up the elevator and the feeling that the whole thing was going to collapse under me, the view was spectacular.

July 8--Paris: We went to the Paris Opera House, home of “The Phantom of the Opera.” We found the Phantom’s box but were not allowed to visit the underground lake, which actually exists beneath the building.

July 11--Paris: I paid a visit to Jim Morrison’s grave today. Throughout the cemetery were notes that said “I love you, Jim,” and “I came back for you, Jimmy.” At the grave itself, which was covered with flowers, sat girls with tears streaming down their faces writing poetry to him.

July 13--Fullerton: I made it home. This was one of the best summer vacations of my life. I learned to be independent, to manage my money, and to survive without Mom and Dad. I made new friends from other schools, met some great teachers, and strengthened the bonds with my old friends. I saw things that a year ago were just pictures. As glad as I am to be home, I’ll return to France again soon. There’s so much more to do.