Last Day in Europe!

Today, we went to Euro Disney. 'Twas in fact a marvellous time. Everyone had smiles, so that made me happy. After Disneyland, the family went to the Eiffel Tower. We got some free time to walk around and look at sights and shops before we went up to the top. For me... Not fun. I don't like heights. I got some killer pictures though. For dinner we went on a dinner cruise and the food was fantastic. Closer to the end, we got to see the Eiffel Tower light up and sparkle in the night which was lovely. Some more killer pictures were taken. Today was definitely my favourite day because my outer and inner child got to see Disneyland again and I'm not going to lie... I freaked out, I'm still smiling because of this. I'm glad I shared this experience with everyone and I'm looking forward to bringing all the laughs, smiles, and positivity back to school. 

-Joey Gardner

Big Day in Paris

As we wake up in the city of love, we think about not only the romance that will be brought out in us this next few days, but the amazing history left behind in the roaring city of Paris. At the crack of dawn we are all semi-awake and ready for the long day filled with a lot of things we learn about in Social Studies. The Louvre was the place most people were excited about seeing; it was unreal to be standing and learning about the most famous paintings and sculptures of mankind. My personal favourite was the painting of Napoleon's coronation, because it wrapped up just how greedy and space headed he really was. After the Louvre, we had free time in which my small group climbed all 400 steps to the top of Notre Dame cathedral. The view was amazing and made every second of my feet hurting worth it. I'm happy to say that my first full day in the wonderful city of Paris was absolutely breathtaking and I know that I'm for sure coming back. 

-Carmen Farmer

Quick Update From Paris

It was a long and busy day for us in Paris - a visit to the Louvre, a French Revolution walking tour, followed by some free time in the Latin Quarter. Look for more student posts tomorrow, and be sure to check out the Instagram feed to see updated photos!

-Ms. Prest

Juno Beach

      Today the group traveled to Juno beach. According to Ms. Davidson we're pretty lucky kids because of the 20*c warm weather we experienced today. Out of the three times Ms. Davidson has been to the beach, it has been nothing but pouring rain. Although the weather was excellent, the ocean water was still a little bit to chilly to do any swimming in. 

       Durning D-Day in 1944, Canadian troops fought under British commanders. About five regiments came from came from Canada. Starting with the Scots (British Columbia) stretching all the way to the Newfoundlanders. Out of the 3000 troops that stormed Juno Beach, 259 Canadians didn't make it home. At the Juno Beach Centre, we were able to go inside one of German bunkers which was awesome. The centre recently recovered a network that runs along the beach. According to our guide, there are many thing still hidden under the sand at Juno Beach, but the structures are sinking further into the sand every year due to ocean tides and the soft sand. 

       Afterwards we headed to a Canadian cemetery. Over 2000 lay at rest. This last cemetery really hit home for some of us. After reading many head stones, you start really realizing what soldiers, families, and friends had to go through at that time. It also makes me so very grateful for the sacrifice they made for my life and my country.

- Madison Hillstead

Ypres

March, 26, 2014 Europe trip

This day we left Arras and travelled to the Essex farm cemetery. This is the location where John McCray is supposed to have wrote In Flanders Fields. The thing that amazed me the most  was the number of German graves. While there graves only numbered around ten this is a surprising number considering it is a Commonwealth graveyard. The German graves stood out since the weren't rounded at the tops and were slightly thicker the the rest. After went to Tyne Cot, this cemetery was massive and filled with some 12,000 soldiers. While the sea of graves was shocking the number of people buried there really it me after we started leaving flags at all the graves of Canadian soldiers. I had started with a hand full of flags and after walking down a single row I had none left. The next place we went to was a museum that had been set up at Hill 62. This to me remains on of the highlights of the trip because out side they had athentic WW1 trenches that we were free to travel around in, and unlike the trenches at Vimy Ridge these trenches had not been overgrown with grass at the bottom and instead still had mud, making it much easier to see what the war was like when walking around in them, and gave a felling of seeing what Europe was like during the war. The next place we travelled to was a monument for all the Canadian soldiers who had died in the war, this made it truly aparent how much we had contributed to the war effort. We then arrived in Ypres were we would travel the city, eat dinner and then witness a ceremony at the menin gate that has been held there every night in honour of the soldiers who died in the trenches out side of the city. I can't write to much of this part since I was unable to see most of the ceremony. We then returned to the hotel for the rest of the night.

- Kristian 

La Coupole and Dieppe

The journey from Belgium to Dieppe France was a long and trying journey. Along the way we we stopped at a site where the Nazis could have sent V-2 and V-1 rockets to explode in England. The only thing stoping these attacks from happening was the D-Day landings. After learning of these events we went back on the bus and talked about the things that happened there and about World War Two.  Some of us went back to sleep to get some much needed rest. After a short three hour drive, we arrived in Dieppe and saw the beach where the Canadians and few small forces of Americans and British fought together. During our vist we tried to run up the rocky beach and had a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers. After our short visit, we finally made our way to our destination of Caen. All in all it was an very educational and exciting day, filled with much travel. Our travels may have hindered our time in Dieppe, but it had the same impact of many cemeteries we had already been to, being that it brought us a sense of pride and sorrow. 

- Tyler and Davis

Around Ypres 26/03/14

Today we went to Ypres area in Belgium, our first day in Belgium. This day we went to a small plot of land with German trenches and tunnels still intact. It was a slightly rainy day, and that made the trenches much more authentic. The trenches were muddy, slippery and very cold, even though the rest of the area was not so. This gave a real feel of authenticity to the site, we could really feel how the trenches felt during the Great War. If it was a sunny and lovey day, the trenches would have been a delight, but it wouldn't feel as real as it did as they were muddy. After having some free time to explore the city of Ypres and after having a lovley dinner, we went to the Menin Gate ceremony, a ceremony that honoured all the commonwealth soldiers that fought and died fighting against the Germans in WWI. This ceremony has been going on everyday since the end of the war without fail, save one, the day Hitler invaded Belgium. This was a very touching ceremony, it wasn't horribly fancy, but it was touching to think that they had been doing this for almost 100 years. The gate was also a beautiful building as well, and it was adorned by all the names of the soldiers that had perished. It was made out of a very fine stone and it was obviously well maintained, which was touching in its own way as well. Over all the entire experience was very solemn, and to think that these people dedicate the time to do this everyday, rain or shine, holiday or not, they will remember the people who died to liberate their country.

-Nick Block

Bravery

I stood there among the hundreds of crosses

As a tear flows down my freckled cheek. 

I look into the distance, rows upon rows they sit,

As emotions run through my mind,

The devastation, the horror, the fear, 

The toll it took on many. 

Their bravery will always be remembered. 

By Sarah and Robyn

The European Union

In Brussels we visited the EU building which allowed us to play in a role play game that simulated the actions that take part in the desicion making process of the EU Parliament. This role play divided us students into four different political groups (traditional beliefs, liberty, solidarity and environmental). Once divided, we were given issues upon which we had to listen to programs of people with information of their issue. We took each of these issues to different debating rooms with the other political groups. This then led us to a vote amongst the parties, which ended the role play. The issues presented to us, required us to remember the beliefs of our parties and the expectations of the voters who elected us. This gave the students a very insightful view on the decision making process which the EU goes through regularly. Also it shows part of the stress and frustration which these MEP have to take part in. I thought that it allowed us students to have a lot better view on the issues and the process the government takes to solve them. The set up of the different stations and the way information was given was very different in that most role playing games wouldn't have such information given in such a real scenario. This experience gave each student a role they had to fill in the process, so we each had something to contribute. 

- Curtis Holloway

Obama in Belgium

After spending the past couple of days travelling around Germany and France, we made it into Belgium today, only to find out that Barack Obama is here too! It turns out his visit to Flanders Fields coincided with ours (not at the same time, unfortunately). At dinner, the tv in the room happened to tune into Obama's speech at the European Union (which is where we will be tomorrow!). The room went quiet, and we were able to observe how the history we've spent the last few days exploring is related to the current events of our world. The complete serendipity of today's events allowed us to really reflect on our history, our ideology, our values, and our identity as citizens in today's world. 

Ms. Prest

Verdun Memorial Sites

Yesterday we went to Vaux and the French ossuary just outside of Verdun. Fort Vaux was quite interesting because a lot of the fighting there was done within the corridors of the underground fort. Which is insanely scary when your enemy has flamethroughers. After we where finish touring that battle site we travelled to the French ossuary for WWI. It was like nothing I have ever witnessed before. 1000's of people buried there, all the crosses laid out in perfect rows. It was different to see beauty within a cemetery. Inside the building there was strict rules about no eating and no talking and I personally thought our group did a good job at respecting the dead. There was also a French school group in there aswell and they weren't quiet at all. Which I find ironic how Canadian tourists have more respect for French legacies then actual French citizens do. At the end of the day everyone was extremely tired from the powerful depth of meaning all the sites we visited had, but it was a good experience. 

- Payton

Canada Day

Today, the group experienced many memorial sites. The sites we visited were Beaumont-Hamel, Thiepval, and of course Vimy Ridge. Beaumont-Hamel was mezmorizing. Seeing the preserved battlefields left me in shock, tugged at my heart strings and left me emotionally touched. Thiepval left me with a personal connection. My great uncle, James Henry Corah, lay dead among the thousands of British soldiers who fought at the Battle of the Somme. Vimy Ridge was by far the most interesting site we visited today. It was incredible that we all got to witness the preserved battlefields and learn more about the battle in detail on site rather than in a textbook or in a classroom. The entire class witnessed the remains of our nation's defining moment and it's something that we will remember for the rest of our lives. 

- Paul Corah

Exploring Verdun

On day 3 of our trip, we had a surreal time in the underground citidel in Verdun. We had the privilege to travel underground into the World War One tunnels. The tour of the citadel was an automated ride where you adventured deep into the dark abyss of the World War One tunnels, and got an idea of the treacherous living conditions of the soldiers. It gave us a new perspective on the soldiers' lives underground. 

After the citadel, we walked back to the hotel. When we arrived, we were given three hours of free time to rest our weary limbs, but not us. Steph and I, with a group of students and teachers, went adventuring around town. We first went to the cathedral in Verdun. After, we walked around the town, and discovered some interesting things. The town of Verdun was quite beautiful, and the town was riddled with interesting buildings and abandoned complexes. 

After, we had dinner at a wonderful restaurant. For appetizers, we were given Quiche Lorraine,a specialty of the region, with ham and cheese inside. For the main dish, a delicious boeuf bourginion, a French stew. And for dessert we had a pear cake. Verdun was an amazing town with many shops and exciting sights to see, we both wish that we could have stayed another day.

-Alex and Steph

Picture Time!

Day 2 - Memories of WWII

Yesterday was our first full day in Europe. It was a very powerful day in comparison to our first day filled with shopping and coffee. Our first stop yesterday was Dachau which was a concentration camp where over 40 000 People of all ages, and back grounds lost their lives. This was a lot to take in. Our tour guide described the horrors that took place in this camp. They were hard to imagine, and painful to think about. Learning about this was important and difficult at the same time. After we left the camp there was a long bus ride to think about what we had seen and learned, that experience I know will stay with us forever. Three hours later we arrived at a museum all about a man who tried to assassinate Hitler, we were told two different generations view on this man, and it was amazing how different each persons opinion of him was. After that we hopped back on the bus we went for an awesome dinner, I must say was a large improvement from the night before. We ended our day in a nice hotel getting a few hours if sleep before heading off in the morning. 

-- Mia 

Europe beginning thoughts

Wow, we've been in Europe for only 3 days but it doesn't feel like it. The time has been flying by, from the moment we landed until now. When we got to Munich the weather was extremely warm out, around 25 which was much better than Calgary's -5. in Munich we got to do a walk around where we learned about some history of the town. Including the fact that there is a church there which is by law the tallest building in the city. I also noticed that instead of being one big city its a large group of smaller little suburbs connected by roads. However being in any area it didn't feel like they were small areas.

Yesterday we went to Dachau which was a very interesting experience, there were many people killed there and their bodies cremated. For those who don't know Dachau is the first concentration camp in Germany. It was larger than you might expect, around 2 kilometers across from one end to the other. We just went to the main part where the prisoners were kept. While there we learned that there were many more people sent to the concentration camps than just the Jews, and for each different group there was a way of identifying them. From a star to a star on a star with a line and a dot beneath for those matching every category in one section. After we went to the Württemberg museum where we learned about propaganda and how some view the Württemberg family as hero's and others believe that if the war was going differently then they wouldn't have done what they did. We then drove to Strasbourg

Today we spent most of the day driving to Verdun. Along the way there were many toll booths and a nuclear powerplant. We learned that Verdun is the Vimy Ridge of France, what i mean by this is that Verdun built French nationalism just like Vimy Ridge built Canada's. When we got here we got a tour of the underground citadel which was an amazing structure, however my groups tour car broke down and we were left to wait on it for around 5 min. We we scared and laughing for some reason... I'd have to say that for me its been the highlight of the trip! Tomorrow we are going to explore Verdun a bit more than go to Somme, and the day after Arras and Vimy which should be an amazing experience!

On another note the cities here are amazing and I highly recommend coming to Europe just to tour the cities! I'd also like to say that we are having a great time here in Europe!

- Jon-Jacob

Quick Update

It was a long day of travel again today - tomorrow look out for a few student posts that share our experiences at Dachau, a WWII concentration camp just outside of Munich. For now here are a few pictures from our adventures so far! 

Having dinner at the Hofbrauhaus House last night! 

Dachau...

Arrived in Europe!

We arrived in Munich safe and sound earlier this morning. After two long flights we dropped our luggage off at the hotel and headed into the Old Town for lunch and a tour. This evening we head to famous beer hall to enjoy more local culture, music and food. 

Nick, Jono and Cole enjoying a traditional German lunch! 

Almost ready to go!

Last meeting before our departure tomorrow - many excited students!

The Day Before

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow we’re leaving on Europe Trip. To me it seems like only yesterday that we were having the meeting telling us all about the trip, but it wasn't and now we are getting ready to leave for Europe tomorrow. We will be going to Toronto then getting on a connecting flight to Munich. To be honest I am kind of nervous about going on the trip because it will be my first time to Europe since 2002. However if the Quebec trip is anything to go off of it will be a fun trip. For those same reasons I am also really looking forward to the trip as when I went I never went to Germany, France, or Belgium. I am mostly packed for the trip and I can only assume that the others are as well. For those who are wondering we will get to the airport tomorrow around 11AM and be in Munich early Friday morning. I’m looking forward to going because it will be the first time in a long time that I have been to a non-English speaking country, which also has a very different culture than Canada and the US. It’s also going to be interesting to see the WW1 and WW2 sites, that I have only seen in videos during Social, in person. I think it will be like being part of the history by being there in person. So as you can see there are many things that I am looking forward to being a part of on the Europe trip and I hope that those reading these blog posts also feel as though they are here in Europe as well.

- Jon-Jacob

Working together...

At our final student meeting, travelers were tasked with developing a set of group values for the trip. After much discussion, debate and revision, students came up with the five values below. The values are a terrific reflection of our group and school community as a whole and we are so proud of the group for deciding on these.

Fun

Friendship 

Happiness

Community 

Pride