Good Evening Everyone!

Well, we have finally finished the last day of our tour.  Today saw us leave Rouen, work our way to Caen, then to Normandy, and then back to Paris.

• Our first stop was in Caen at the Caen Memorial Museum.  It is an amazing place that has exhibits on Europe before 1945, after the Cold War after 1945, and an exhibit on the D-Day landings.  Pretty interesting stuff considering that we have recently been to many of the places that were featured in the exhibits.  Another example of bringing the history to life.
  

• After the museum we went to the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian cemetery.  Before we left, each student was given a name of a Canadian soldier that is buried there.  It was a very powerful and emotional moment as each student found their soldier and pay tribute to them.  For many, their soldier was not more than a couple years older than them.  Each student payed tribute to their soldier in their own way- some wrote a message, some spoke with them for over ten minutes, some made their own wreaths, others just spent a quiet period of reflection.  Again, we couldn't be more proud of our students.  All parents should be proud of their kids.

• We then went to Juno Beach and walked along the beach, seeing the memorial and also the famous house that is in the newsreels as the Canadians first storm their beach.

• There is so much to see in this area, so much that one could spend days discovering more about the event and the area.  We decided to end the time in Normandy by visiting the bunkers and batteries of Longues-sur-Mer.  Here there are intact German fortifications as they would have appeared on June 6th.  The kids we able to explore these and have a new appreciation for the defenses that the Allies faced.
• After this we began the four hour trip back to Paris- even seeing the Eiffel Tower one last time in the distance.  We probably had our best meal of the trip at the hotel (the main course duck...) and have begun the process of trying to fit everything in our bags for the trip home. 







 We will be back in Calgary Sunday night at 6:15 pm on Air Canada (flight AC125) from Toronto (we hope that they are working this day!). 

We look forward to seeing everyone at the airport.  Till tomorrow!

Good Evening Everyone,

It is hard to believe that we are getting close to the end of the tour. Today we made our way to Vimy Ridge, Dieppe, and then Rouen.  So here is the story of the day...

• After an early morning we got on the bus for the hour drive to the Vimy Ridge Memorial and interpretative centre.  We stopped first at the monument, taking time to walk around the grounds and see the monument.  The monument is very different than the others in the region as it does not glofify the war, but does remember the soldiers in a powerful way.  Very beautiful and certainly is beautiful in how it stands out in the region.  After this we had reservations for tours in the trenchs and tunnels.  To walk through the trenches, and in particular the tunnels, with a guide is an experience that will stand out in the minds of everyone here.

 

• After our stop at Vimy, we were back to the bus and headed off to Dieppe.  It was about a two hour drive to the city of Dieppe.  When there we were able to walk the beach and see the monuments devoted to the Canadian soldiers.  Another great example in making the history come alive as we are actually walking in the place that we have only seen in the films and pictures. 

•  We finshed the day in Rouen and spending the evening walking through the medival centre of the city.  Always interesting to be walking among some buildings that date back to the 15th century.  Rouen is known for the Jon of Arc who was imprisioned and later burned at the stake here.  On our walk we saw the building that she was held in, walked the streets that she was led through, and saw the square theat she was executed in.  An interesting historical side track!

• Well... one more day.  It is an early wake up- 6 am!  I think that many of them getting back to school will mean that they finally get to sleep in.  Tomorrow we will be off to Normandy, to see Juno Beach, some of the German coastal batteries, the Caen memorial, and then back to Paris.  Hope everyone is doing well- til tomorrow.

Back Again...

So now today! 

• We had a two hour bus to Beaumont-Hamel to see the trenches and memorial to the Newfoundland Regiment.  Another fantastic day- into the 20 degree range.  The memorial site (along with that at Vimy) is operated by Veterans Affairs so we had Canadian tour guides (with one group being led by a university student from Newfoundland).  Sounds like an interesting job- university students can apply to work here as guides within the site- maybe something for some of our students in the future?

• After seeing Beaumont-Hamel, we went to Tyne Cot Commonwealth Cemetery, the home of over 12,000 WWI Commonwealth graves.  An unbeleivable site that is perfectly maintained.

• On our way to the town of Ypres, we stopped at Essex Farm- made famous as the place that John McCrae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields".  We also saw the grave of one of the youngest victims of the war, a 15 year old English soldier.  After Essex Farm, we stopped at the St. Julian Canadian War Monument for a picture by the "Brooding Soldier" statue.

• After a quick dinner in Ypres we went to see the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.  Tonight there were a 1,000 people there to see the ceremony.  We all are extremely proud of our students here.  Without a reminder, they have been extremely respectful at these sites- removing their hats, observing in silence...  There were many other students here, and I wish that I could say that they acted with the same respect that our students have.  They have done us proud!

• The internet connection is not doing us any favours- I will try get some pictures up from the last couple of days tomorrow.  We hope that everyone is doing well.  Good night from France!

WE FINALLY FOUND A WAY TO ADD PICTURES FASTER THIS MORNING... THANKS TO MR. ROB BROWN FOR WORKING ON THE BLOG RELIGIOULY DAILY.  HOPE THAT YOU GUYS ARE ENJOYING THE PICTURES.

HAVE A NICE DAY! 

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Thanks for the patience, we got home late last night from the river cruise and had an early morning today, so here is the news from our last day in Paris.  Sorry the internet connection is quite slow here today- I will get pictures up tomorrow.

• After breakfast we went to Versailles.  Thanks to Pierre-Marie, a local tour guide, we learned lots about Princes, Princesses, fashion at the court, and their lifestyles.  He truly made the tour memorable and will certainly not be forgotten.  We had a chance to visit both the palace and the garderns- there was even one of the fountains on, obviously for us.

• From Versailles we went to the Louvre.  Wow, to do the place justice you could spend a month there.  We didn't stay that long...   However, we did see the major works of art including the Mona Lisa, Venus of Milo, Victory of Samotras, the Crowning of Napoleon, and many others. 

• We then went to Notre Dame of Paris, always a classic.  Students had a chance to walk around and in the cathedral, and also sample the crepes outside.

• On the way to dinner we spent some time the narrow streets of the Latin Quater of St. Michel.
• After dinner was THE SUPRISE!  Yes, we went all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  A few weeks ago we decided to ask the Board to revisit their decision concerning the Eiffel Tower.  Thankfully, they reversed their decision based on the fact that we had made reservations long, long ago and that we guaranteed them that we would make it to the top and return back within two hours.  Based on our previous experiences and that we had reservations, they excempted us from their decision.  Although there was a long line, we were able to avoid it due to the reservations and made it to the top and down within an hour and a quarter.  We had kept this secret for the last two weeks (some of the teachers did not even know!), and the kids were truly excited.  I am sure that you will be seeing some incredible night shots from the top!

• We quickly moved accross the street for our night cruise along the Seine River.  Paris is called the city of light for a reason.  What a way to end out time in Paris.
• After the bus trip back to the hotel it was a quick night of sleep... 

Good Evening Everyone,

It is really late...  must get to sleep...  We had a fantastic and busy day and I look forward to telling you about it- tomorrow morning! 

Till then!

Hello from Paris!

Wow, what a busy day!  After an early wake up call in Heidelberg, we packed the bus and began our journey to Paris.  Not to rub it in (we have heard that Calgary was expecting snow, the weather in Paris has been fantastic- over 20 degrees (it is past midnight now and still 17 degrees) and the grass is green and leaves and blossums on the trees!  When we arrived at our hotel in Paris around 2 in the afternoon we quickly put our bags in the room and headed towards Les Invalides and Napoleon's tomb. 

So, given that the day was so busy and we do not know where to start- here are some of the highlights:

• We stopped in the way in the region of Champagne- yes where the real stuff is made.
• We visited Napoleon's tomb- a busy spot but a must see.

Outside Les Invalides

Napoleon's tomb

• We went up to Montmartre and visited the Sacre- Coeur.  This included some souvenir shopping and for some hearty souls a trip up the 320 stairs to the dome.

Sacre-Coeur.  The dome climbed was the tallest in the middle.

• We went on a walk around the area which included a stop infront of the Moulin Rouge.
• Dinner...
• A trip on the Paris subway- always and adventure.  This time with a pleasant surprise as two buskars who entered the train and played their accordians.  Very fun and cool- especially when the Eiffel Tower came into view.

Buskers on the subway

• A trip up the Arc de Triomphe- at dusk.  This gave some fantastic views of the Paris skyline

At the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc at night

Looking small next to the Arc


• A walk down Les Champs-Elysees.  Pretty cool.  Although most of the high end stores were closed their was still a great energy in the place.  We even had a celebrity sighting- David Guetta- one of the most influential grammy winning producer and DJ.



 Feeling like a paparazzi!




• A trip back to the hotel...

 Well, if today was busy-tomorrow will be even more so as we have an early morning and are off to Versailles, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, St. Michel, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and a night river cruise down the Sienne.  Time to get some rest as the wake up call is coming early!  Till tomorrow- we hope that everyone is doing well back home!

Heidelberg

HEIDELBERG... 20 celsius + today

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Today could best be called the "Beauty and the Beast".  We left Munich to first visit the Dachau concentration camp and then bussed to Heidelberg where we are staying the night. 

First the Beast, many of the students thought that after our visit to Sachsenhausen that Dachau was a more personal experience.  Many were very moved as they worked their way through the camp.  After watching a movie on the Camp, students were free to visit the memorial site.  The site is quite large and powerful to witness.  From the barracks, to the roll call square, the administration buildings, the bunker (prison), and then the crematorium and execution grounds, it is a surreal experience walking through hearing the birds and the running water- a peaceful setting, among what we know was literaly a horrific place.  I am sure that the visit to Dachau will be one that they never will forget. 

After leaving Dachau we began the four hour ride to Heidelberg.  During this time we worked on their travel journals as a group.  They had no choice- where else were they to go!  And now the "Beauty"- after a somber day we spent the afternoon and evening walking around beautiful Heidelberg.  We started at the castle which overlooks the city giving us a great view of the city and valley.  Matt, this is a real castle!  I will have the pictures to prove it!  The castle was fun to explore.  Although it is in in ruins, it is still very impressive and is also home to the world's largest wine barrel (210,000 litres).  Wow- I would like to see that party, although I hear that it has only been used 3 times!  From there we walked through the centre of the old town and did a little souvenier shopping- please look surprised when you get your gift.

Tomorrow we bit auf wiedersehen to Germany and bonjour to France as begin our time in Paris. 

Weather should be above 20 degres. 

We have heard that you guys got some snow... Sorry! :-)