Friday, March 5 - Lest We Forget

We have had many “best days ever” this past week in our exchange. Whether it be our excursions throughout Almelo, or our day trip to the Van Gogh Museum, or the enjoyment of watching the national Dutch soccer team playing in a packed house, we have had some very special moments here in the Netherlands.

Today I can not say we had the “best day ever”, because such a title does not do today’s’ events justice. We left very early this morning and made our way to our first stop at Holten, which has a Canadian War Cemetery. The weather was cold with a small snowfall as we arrived to the cemetery. We at first walked around, each on their own. looking at the graves of our fallen countrymen. Something stood out among the students. One was the fact that most of the Canadians buried here died mere weeks before the end of the war, fighting to liberate the part of the Netherlands that we as a group had so much fun in, during the last few days. Secondly, many of the soldiers were not much older than the students and some in fact were members of the North Shore Regiment. The connection of age and location was very powerful thing our students took from the opening of the visit.

After our walk around, our Dutch friends prepared a flowered wreath with a ribbon that had inscribed on it the names of the schools involved in the exchange. A student from each school was selected to place the wreath at the memorial at the center of the cemetery. The poem of the “Lost Solider” was read aloud, followed by a moment of silence. A very small, but emotional, service was held.  Although none of the students knew the soldiers personally, all understood what kind of sacrifice was made so that all of us could experience the great things that we did this past week. During our ceremony we noticed that the snow had stopped and the sun came out as we said our final goodbyes to the markers of the brave fallen.

Next we took at drive further south to the town of Oosterbeek to visit the Airborne Museum. This museum was dedicated to the history of Operation Market Garden, and in particular the British Airborne Division that landed in the area in the failed attack. We had the pleasure of having an older gentleme,n who was 14 at the time of the attack, tell us in detail the history of these events. After the visit at the museum, we were led through the town and visited many significant places in the battle, including a section where innocent Dutch civilians were killed by German SS troops, simply because they were wandering around looking for food. The path we took followed many of the areas that are depicted in the movie “A Bridge Too Far”, including the scene in which the British make their escape across the Rhine with help of the Canadian Engineer Corps.

Afterwards, we made one final stop at the British War Cemetery in Arnhem. This place had all those who had died in Operation Market Garden including many Canadians in the Royal Canadian Airforce. We also had a small ceremony and wreath laying here as well to honor the sacrifice. Although both Dutch and Canadian students are very close and have a strong bond built as a result of this exchange, there is no doubting that the experience today brought both groups closer together. The traditional bond between our countries, has been the war and the artery of this connection was very much apparent as we visited these sites of remembrance.

Students now have returned with their Dutch families and have all the evening and tomorrow until 4 to hang out with their friends before it is time to say goodbye.

Mr. Savage

Thursday, March 4 - Canadian & Dutch Culture

Today was our cultural day. It began with students making their final preparations on Canadian culture that were presented in the evening. For the first time we got to see each other's presentation,  which created quite a bit of anticipation and excitement. After a quick lunch, we headed to a cheese farm with over 200 cows who deliver milk 24 hours a day by means of three robots that do everything, and I mean everything - from herding the cows for their milking. determining which cows are ready to milk and which are not, and finally, milking each cow of an average of 10 litres of milk up to three times a day. What a fascination operation to watch! Each robot costs about $100 000.00 Euros ($140 000.00). Students then purchased many gift items at the market. (Parents and friends should prepare for many gifts of delicious Dutch Cheese :-) We then headed to a windmill where some students went to the top and looked out on the far distance below!

The highlight of the day was the student presentations to the Dutch parents that evening. The Dutch students also shared their memories of their visit to Miramichi. The main word they kept using over and over again was "hospitable". They kept saying that their Miramichi hosts did everthing possible to make them feel at home. Then they added that their goal this week was to do the same thing. We all agree that they have done that...and much more. Then it was the turn of the Canadians to share their views on Canadian culture. Our students shared videos about the natural wonders of Canada, the proper way of cooking lobsters (and putting them to sleep), a typical day in the life of a "Miramichier", a spoof of Canadian stereotypes, and amazing moments in hockey, which was capped off with the golden goal by Sidney Crosby in this year's gold medal game. The Dutch parents greatly enjoyed the presentations, as did everyone else. It was a lot of fun - eh! And very well done - eh! And it went "the very best"!

Students and teachers then exchanged gifts. Already there are plans for a return visit to Miramichi by Dutch students (as soon as this summer for one family) and (be prepared, parents) discussions of future visits when students get older. There is also a very strong desire for this exchange between District 16 and St. Canisius to continue.

Mr. H

Wednesday, March 3 - Amsterdam

Wednesday, March3, 2010 – Amsterdam- - Here We Come!

Well, there may not have been many stairs as Ann had hoped, but we sure put  miles on our feet today! What a day! Today the St.Canisius students and teachers joined us for a tour of Amsterdam, including the Van Gogh and Rijk museums, a canal tour, and a breathtaking city walkabout. Afterwards we dined on pizza then headed to the subway station for the pre-game World Cup soccer match between the Netherlands and USA! We would not be disappointed!

We started our day on the tour bus by 8:00am. This was a chance for some to catch up on their sleep as there was a two-hour drive before arriving in Amsterdam. Many though, enjoyed the scenic drive. We toured the two museums and the students thoroughly enjoyed the informative tour. Students learned much of the historic artists’ sorted past. Afterwards many purchased souvenirs and prints for keepsakes. Next, off to see the sights and sounds and “smells” of Amsterdam!

Students enjoyed a walking tour, some shopping and of course lunch along the way. Students donned many bags and shared many stories as we regrouped for a walk to catch the canal tour. The sights and sounds were breathtaking! The tour guide provided many historical perspectives of featured homes, businesses and canals. This city sure has a deep historical story to tell! We even travelled into the large city port where we saw some historical sailing ships – students were amazed at the city’s leading role during the 17th Century. Next we were off to enjoy a Miramichi favourite - pizza and pop.

The highlight of the day was certainly the soccer match! All 42 students and 8 teachers donned their orange with pride as they ventured to the stadium via subway (an experience of its own)! Some made special shirts spelling “GO NETHERLANDS”, while others sported orange wigs, pants and even overalls! We were proud Hollanders for a night! We, again, would not be disappointed, as the Netherlands beat USA 2 -1. The sea of orange in the stadium was unforgettable.

The tired crew made their way to the tour bus for the final leg of the day. You would thing we would have slept – but NOOO! We were pumped! All in all, we enjoyed this unforgettable day; be warned parents – most have plans to return to the Netherlands some day! As for Ann and I - we are sure we have lost weight now!

Until tomorrow – Mrs. A

Tuesday, March 2 - Salsaed, Mamboed, & Boogied

Our Tickets for Wednesday's Soccer Game Have Arrived!

Well, we hope we don’t have too many stairs to climb tomorrow, because after two hours of biking, spin classes, aerobic dance class and weight lifting, we’ll be lucky if we can walk let alone do stairs. Mrs. Mac has proven she has style and moves when she salsaed, mamboed and boogied her way to way to a sleeker version of herself! The fitness centre we visited was a lot of fun. No pain no gain as they say!

We started our day working on finishing up projects and starting the student blogs. Different groups are responsible for different days of the trip so far. It will be interesting to read the students’ perspective of what has been an amazing 3 day start. We also discussed Van Gogh, his life and work so the students would better appreciate the museum visit tomorrow. Watching Don MacLean’s “Vincent” with a slide show of Van Gogh’s painting s always brings goose bumps.

The students are starting to feel the effects of jet leg so they are all planning a quiet night so they can get lots of rest for tomorrow’s nonstop action in Amsterdam. The museums will be beautiful, and the soccer game and experience they will never forget. We will be wearing Dutch orange proudly.

This group of kids is wonderful ambassadors from Canada. Their maturity, politeness and sense of adventure are to be commended. Our Dutch hosts are doing a wonderful of sharing their beautiful country. We are being treated like royalty!

It was 10 degrees and sunny here today, but somehow I don’t think you can say the same. Hope everyone is plowed out with power running. I’ll leave you with a little Vanilla Ice tune……Ice Ice Baby…….

Until tomorrow….Mrs. Mac

Monday, March 1 = Canadians on Bikes

Wow! What a great day to be Canadian in the Netherlands! Everyone is congratulating us on the exciting gold medal win last night. I think we have introduced our Dutch friends to a new game - and I think Sidney Crosby is going to become a household name throughout the Netherlands! It is amazing to hear many, many Dutch people say that they watched Sidney Crosby score the game winner. Almost all of them will then admit that they had no idea who Sidney Crosby was before yesterday's game. It was very interesting to watch the final game on BBC television - a much different perspective than we would get in Canada!

The students all arrived safely on their bikes this morning and began their day with a tour of the school. They then went into class with their hosts. Afterwards they got on bikes and headed to the center of Almelo for a tour of the fire station, and some free time to explore the shopping area. Tomorrow we will meet as a group and students will begin contributing to our blog.

Sunday, February 28 - Arrival In Almelo

This morning the troops were awakened at 8:45 to prepare for their visit to the Anne Frank Museum. We were given a very special tour of the museum by first being invited to listen to one of the museum curators share with us the background of Anne and her family. For many it was a very emotional experience. To be in the very room in which Anne hid and wrote her journal, and to then go into the other rooms in which the Frank family and their friends hid, was something that will remembered for a lifetime. We had our first group photo taken in front of Anne's house and then beside Anne's statue which is in front of the church that Anne could see, and the church bells by which Anne kept track of time every day - the same church bells that we could hear throughout the night during our stay at Hotel van Onna.

A bus picked us up at 1:00pm to take us to Almelo. Wow! Were we ever greeted in style! The Canadian flag was flying out in front of the school. (It was then taken down to be raised again tomorrow in celebration of Canada's gold meal game!!!!!) The meal that was provided by our host students and parents was unbelievable! What a welcome we were given! After each student had time to meet their host families, Marc announced that each host family should be aware that all televisions should be set on the channel that carries the gold medal hockey game in honor of the Canadian guests. That brought a very favorable response from the crowd.

Everyone is now safely home and preparing for this evening's gold medal match. We look forward to seeing the Canadian flag flying proudly at the entrance to St. Canisius School in the morning in honor of Canada's gold medal victory. And I look forward to filming many of our Canadian students as they arrive by bike to class tomorrow morning. Go Canada Go!

Saturday, February 27 - Jolly Ol' England

After having dodged snowstorms, ice pellets and freezing rain in Canada, we were very happy to arrive in London just behind our initial schedule by only about 2 hours - quite a feat considering what we had to go through to get here! We had a lovely tour guide and driver who took advantage of every second we had to show us as much as possible of the numerous sites of London, including Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Westminister Cathedral. We even had time to try out some fish and chips while experiencing the sites and sounds of Trafalgar Square.

That evening we arrived in Amsterdam. Having 25 Canadians, walking through the streets of Amsterdam in the heart of a Saturday evening, being led by their two Dutch hosts, can be a very interesting experience. Students were constantly mesmerized by the buildings, people and activity all around them. Meanwhile, tagging along behind, with eyes wide open, was Mr. Hayward who was constantly calling out, "Keep your eyes open for the cars. Bike! Don't forget to look both ways for trolleys. Bike! Make sure you leave a space for people to get past us. Bike!" We did get to our hotel after having dodged bikes, trolleys, bikes, cars, bikes, and people for about 40 minutes. It was then an interesting site to watch students assist each other with luggage as they snaked up the very narrow hallways to their rooms, which in some cases were five floors above them. Like the true troopers they were, however, they stuck to the task at hand and got ready for a well deserved good night's sleep, knowing that they had experienced another day of success representing their Miramichi community and their proud country of Canada. As one flight attendant noted as we were leaving our flight to Heathrow, "I want to know where those students are from because they are the most well behaved and respectful students I have ever had the honor to serve on an airplane." What better words could one use to sum up our first day in Europe!