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Trip Updates
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Dear Moms and Dads,
Well, we have done it! Nine days in Europe in celebration, honour and remembrance of the 95th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge.
We spent our last day, a glorious day in Paris. Many climbed the Eiffel Tower and we all visited the Louvre and had an evening boat ride on the River Seine. Our evening was capped off by taking the Metro from the Louvre to the boat cruise. You know you have become a seasoned traveler when you can take that city's subway system. Way to go everyone!!!
It is now 8:00 a.m. here in Paris and the last group of students are getting ready to leave for the airport. 0ur Sudbury and Newfoundland friends had to leave at 2:30 a.m., the first group of NCDSB students left at 5:30 a.m. and we will depart for the airport in less than an hour.
Please remember that our first group of students will be touching down in Buffalo at 4:45 p.m. and will be heading, by bus, to the Catholic Education Centre Rice Rd., Welland.
Our second group touch down in Buffalo at 8:40 p.m. and will be driven to the parking lot of Denis Morris Catholic High School. Please keep in mind that these flight times are based on no delays. The arrival time to the CEC or high school is all dependent on how fast we clear customs.
Students have been reminded to call home once we have cleared the Border.
Sorry we could not send pictures last night. The hotel charged 6.00E every half hour for internet. We will post many once we have returned home.
One more blog to go - as the students have been recording their own thoughts throughout the trip. We just haven't been able to post.
On behalf of the chaperones, it has been a pleasure spending nine days with your children.
Signing off for now,
Your Vimy Travelers
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Good Morning Moms and Dads,
We have decided to write a collective letter to Mr. Crocco. It goes something like this:
Dear Mr. Crocco,
We, the Vimy Travelers of 2012, respectfully request an extension of another 9 days in Europe. We have become so adept at country hopping, we have decided to venture on to the Vatican City, Switzerland and Germany. If time allows (or if a third extension is granted) we will pop into England for a bit to check out Big Ben.
The Vatican City would enable us to gain a deeper understanding of our Faith and a deeper appreciation of art and culture. Switzerland is a must so we can complete our scientific comparison of the quality of chocolate between Switzerland and Brugges. As for Germany and England - well, we just want to.
Looking forward to your response.
The Vimy Travelers
While we wait with anticipation for Mr. Crocco's response let us tell you what we did yesterday.
We headed on to Normandy and visited the Canadian War Cemetery at Beny Sur Mer. This was a beautiful and peaceful cemetery overlooking Juno Beach. We then went to the Juno Beach museum. Many of our soldiers possessions were on display, such as medical kits, uniforms and bank books. The back doors opened to the beach itself. We have all seen documentary clips of Juno Beach and it just seemed surreal to be able to stand where many of our soldiers bravely fought and died. The beach expanded as far as the eye could see and an overwhelming sense of awe and respect filled most of us.
We are currently on the road to Paris. The highway is similar to the 401 - stop and go but we are excited for Paris and the Eiffel Tower.
Our last day begins today!
P.S. The internet was not consistent last night. With any luck we will be able to send pictures tonight from our Paris hotel.
Your Happy Vimy Travelers
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 am
Good Morning Moms and Dads,
As anticipated, yesterday was an extremely full and emotionally charged day.
Our morning started with close to 4,000 young Canadians silently marching through the small town of Gevenchy en Golle in honour of our fallen soldiers. As we made our way to the Vimy monument, many of the citizens of Gevenchy lined their main street, waving Canadian flags and shedding silent tears. With the population of the town only being 2,000 our students, in their red jackets, made quite an impact.
We marched passed the Vimy monument and entered into Cemetary#2 where we participated in a student led celebration. Thank you to our Joe who marched with the cadets and who stood guard during the service. Over four thousand candles were lit and placed at the graves of our soldiers - in honour of peace and remembrance.
After lunch we participated in Ceremony #2 at the front of the Vimy monument. Canada's Governor General along with our Minister of Veteran Affairs and France's Minister of Defense addressed the crowds. Our evening culminated with Ceremony #3 and dance being held at a covered stadium in the town of Lievin, 30 minutes outside of Vimy. Thank you to our Shaa who helped present a Canadian flag to our Canadian Delegation.
Currently we our on the bus making the four hour trek to the Beaches of Normandy. We will be visiting the Juno Beach museum today as well.
A very Happy Birthday goes out to Taylor and Sydney. These two lucky girls celebrated their birthdays in style yesterday by inviting 4,000 of their closest Canadian friends to a private dance with live bands and all. What a way to celebrate!
Sorry we haven't been able to blog on Niagara Catholic's website, but the internet has been hit and miss at the last hotel. Hopefully we can access the net at tonight's hotel.
Looking forward to Paris.
From Your Happy Vimy Travelers
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Good Afternoon Moms and Dads,
And a Very Happy and Blessed Easter,
From there our wordly travelers continued on to France ... and this is where we are today.
Our morning started off by attending Easter Mass at a beautiful church within walking distance of the hotel. Even though the mass was in French, we all found it to be a wonderful, cultural and of course, spiritual experience. Father even welcomed the young people of Canada in his opening prayers.
Sometime between breakfast and Mass the Easter Bunny came for a visit leaving behind - you'll never guess - more chocolate!!!!
The day was spent visiting cemeteries and we were able to find the soldiers who were assigned to students.
Tomorrow will be a busy day as we enter into April 9th. We have been told that our wake-up call is at 6:00 a.m., we leave at 7:30 and we aren't expected to get back to the hotel until midnight. W0W!
Your Happy Vimy Travelers
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Good Morning Moms and Dads,
We are up, packed and currently on our way to Belgium. We are all pretty tired so our three hour bus ride will be a quiet, restful one.
Yesterday was a very long day, visiting museums and walking around the heart of Amsterdam. Our day concluded with a visit to the home of Anne Frank. A very emotional, humbling experience.
Because of the late arrival back to the hotel room, we did not get a chance to blog about it last night. We owe two blogs tonight.
Jenn, Kelley, Joe, Carlo and I would like to take this opportunity in thanking all of you for allowing us the privilege in bringing your children to Europe. The students have been absolutely wonderful; extremely polite, respectful and welcoming to all within our group. And of course, as of tonight some may also be a little on the hyper side as we are entering the chocolate capital of the world.
All is good. One day closer to the battlefields of World War I.
Your Happy Vimy Travelers
Friday, April 6, 2012
Good Morning,
And a Blessed Good Friday to all.
We are up and on the road, back to Amsterdam for the day.
Everyone slept well, breakfast was great and the sun is shining. Cannot ask for a better start.
Parents, please note that a blog of our trip has been set up on the Board's website. Please visit Niagara Catholic.ca and check out our latest pictures and updates.
Have a great day everyone.
Your Vimy Travelers
Thursday, April 5, 2012 pm
Day one of our trip started off as soon as we stepped off the plane. We met our tour directors and headed off to the heart of Amsterdam. While walking the cobblestone streets we successfully navigated through the many bicycles, scooters, electric cars and baby carriages. During our day we admired the architectual designs of buildings and the old age flair of the baroque and medieval periods. We savored the local Dutch cheese and marveled over the lunch specialty of French fries and mayonnaise. Throughout the day we met many students from across Canada who will be attending the Vimy Ridge Service and Ceremony on April 9th . Back at the hotel we shared our evening meal with students from Newfoundland and Sudbury and we all joined in, in wishing one of our own a very Happy Birthday.
Thursday, April 5, 2012 am
We have arrived. Our plane touched down at 8:17 a.m. (2:17 a.m. CND time). We had a very smooth flight albeit an hour behind. We boarded on time and taxied to the runway in a timely manner, only to find out we were number 12 on the take off list. Not a big deal as we were all having a great time on the plane.
A few have slept - most have not. We will all sleep well tonight as we are currently touring Amsterdam.
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