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