With its swirling blue hues and twinkling stars, a trip into Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night sounds like a dream. After a whirlwind landing in front of an unassuming French lady’s house, my class begins roaming around the sleepy town. I break away from the group, strolling down cobblestone paths lit in a buttery light, the relaxing air invites me to slow down and appreciate the views. On my tour of the buildings, I search for a late-night cafe to satisfy my cravings for a mouthwatering croissant or baguette. Passing the next block, I spot a café terrace, entering the timeless establishment. Once I have my baguette, I trek towards the hills rolling in the background of the painting. As I reach the crest, slowly picking my way through the irises, I pull out my very professional telescope I’ve been hauling around on my back. My blanket has been laid on the ground with my baguette and some random loaf of le cramique that I procured. The night is crystal clear, perfect for stargazing. After buttering my baguette, I start munching. Once I’ve munched through half of my sticked bread, I turn my attention towards the stars, but something is off…it looks like a star is trying to run off the painting! The Magic School Bus pulls up to the bottom of the hill and I jump in, we’re off to chase a runaway star!
Jumping on stardust and surfing through clouds, our class trails after the ball of light. At one point I scale the Cyprus trees of Van Gogh’s imagination, wheatfields dancing below me. Higher and higher I climb, not noticing how far away the ground is. A gust of wind sways the tree left and right, but I’m so close! I don’t realize I’m falling until the star gets away from me. Luckily, a passing cloud catches and safely deposits me back into the Magic School Bus. I glance around, a little frazzled from my trip across the starry night, and notice the back of the bus gleams in a shimmering iridescent light, kinda like Arnold’s hair. As I was caught up in falling to my imminent doom, Mr. Evans lassoed the star into our bus!
I’m dropped back off at my haven on the hill, and I am excited that I still have my baguette and le cramique! I eat my raisin bread and save the baguette for later. It’s back to stargazing, which is much more relaxing when there are no runaway stars. As the sun rises, the morning rays push out the spiraled night sky. Mr. Evans rounds our class up and we drive back out of the painting, what a wonderful way to explore a work of art!