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!