Day 20 - Home

Our program came to a satisfying end. We left London right on schedule and arrived back in the states late afternoon. We had a small snag at customs. Two students and one leader were pulled aside for whatever reason. The dog sniffing our carryon bags detected something (who knows what), but all 3 were eventually "released" if you will.

Then came the most gratifying part of my job. Getting to turn over the students - all in one piece, healthy and happy - back to their families.

I stayed the night in Dallas and flew back to Tyler on Saturday. All in all it was an excellent time had by all I'd say. Even with the few mishaps that occured.

Day 19 - London England

Today was the best last day we could have had, even if we did start a tad late. It was a jam packed day and being on time was imperative.

We woke to a light rain. Typical London weather I've heard. Our hopes was that it would stop since we were supposed to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. They don't do the full band procession if it's raining.

Our first activity was to pick up our guide Brian and go up on the London Eye. We made it just in time. The view from the observation wheel is amazing!

Next we took a short city tour by bus. Brian was very entertaining with the stories that he told. Unfortunately, time didn't allow for us to get out and visit The Famous Clock Tower (Big Ben) or Parliment up close. But the rain did stop, so we got to see the full procession for the changing of the guard at the palace. Then it was on to lunch at a local pub.

Unfortunately, the pub had us mixed up with another P2P group there and served them first. This almost made us late for our visit with a former member of Parliment, Patrick Nichols; but we made it just in the nick of time. I enjoyed his talk. Nothing like a Brit to make you proud to be an American (he's VERY pro-American).

After Parliment came a tour of The Tower of London. Brian again told romance/horror stories of the lives of people condemmed to death there. After his guided portion, we had just over an hour to see the Crown Jewels as well as other parts of the compound.

Next came dinner. Traditional fish and chips.

Lastly was the best part - Wicked! I got to see it when I was in London during the summer of '08 and it was just as good as I remembered! I love the play. It's sort of a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It gives the backstory on the good wich Glenda (Galinda) and the Wicked Witch. You find out how the cowardly lion, tin man, and scarecrow came to be. It's definately worth a watch.

Tomorrow - Home!

Day 17 - Omaha Beach France

Today was the most rewarding day so far. We left Paris and traveled to Omaha Beach. When we arrived in the small town of Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer we were greeted by the mayor. We also got to participate in a flag raising ceremony on the beach. The mayor read a lovely speech (yes the tears flowed freely). Afterward, 16 of our students went to raise the flags of the countries involved in the war. While raising each flag, the country's national anthem played. There were a lot of people crying when it was all said and done.

After the flag raising ceremony, each of us was given a small glass bottle to fill with sand from the beach and bring home.

After Omaha Beach we went to the Normandy American Cemetery, which is the last resting place of over 9,000 young soldiers who were killed in 1944 during the Battle of Normandy.

Next was Caen, the capital of Normandy. We visited the Memorial Museum, whose mission is to remember the operation of the 6th of June 1944, the causes of the 1939-45 conflict, and its multiple consequences.

Lastly, we departed Caen for our overnight ferry. Tomorrow - England!

Day 16 - Paris France

Today was the best day yet! We woke up to rain and were all worried. It's the day we go to the Eiffel Tower and they will not allow you to go to the very top if it is raining. Our fingers were crossed that the rain would stop before our reservations at 4:30.

We began with a visit to The Louvre Museum. We had a guided tour that lasted almost 2 hours and we still didn't see but a fraction of the statues, paintings, etc that the museum houses. What we did see was amazing though. And all the students were on their best behavior. And the rain had stopped when we exited!

Due to a reschedule by the Eiffel Tower, we had some free time for shopping. We began not far from the museum and had about an hour and a half. We then went to lunch and were given about another hour of shopping time after that. No one was complaining.

Next was the Eiffel Tower. No matter how many times you see it, it never gets old. We all went to the very tippy top and enjoyed the awesome view from up there, not to mention the wind that goes with being that high up. But again, no one was complaining. I mean how can you? It's the Eiffel Tower in Paris France!!

Tomorrow - Omaha Beach/Beaches of Normandy.

Day 15 - Paris France

Today was our first "real" day in Paris.

First was a guided tour around the city, part by bus and part by foot. We stopped at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, drove down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, and had lunch in the artists villiage known as Montmartre. It's the highest point in Paris, other than the Eiffel Tower of course.

After lunch we went to the Chateau de Versailles, which was commissioned by the Sun King, Louis XIV. It was the seat of the royal court from 1682 to 1789, when the French Revolution put an end to the monarchy.

Day 14 - Bruges Belgium

Today we got to explore the city of Bruges by horse and carriage. It's a beautiful city with cobblestone streets and a lot of pedestrian streets for shopping! We found out that Belgium is best know for lace (I had no idea) and chocolate (this one I knew!).

After our city "tour", we got to visit the one true handmade lace shop, The Irma Lace Shop. It's the only shop in the country of Belgium that is given permission to include a handmade card with their lace. They've got from 400+ lace makers to just at 150. The gentleman who presented to us said that if we came back in 10 years, there would be no authentic Belgium lace.

After our lace orientation we went on to a chocolate shop to learn how they make truffles and other chocolates. This was by far the highlight of the day, at least for me.

After lunch in Ypres, we went and visited a WWI museum, Flanders Fields. It opened in 1998 and is as devoted to the promotion of peace as it is the remembrance of war.

Next came a 3 hour bus ride to Paris!!

Day 13 - Bruges Belgium

Today we left The Netherlands and headed to Belgium.

We started our day at The Hogue, or The Peace Palace where the United Nations trials occur. It was a beautiful palace to say the least. We saw the room where the International Court of Justice meets for trials between countries, and the "Opinion" room. This is the room where advocates selected by parties help mediate arguments.

Next we went to Kinderdijk. It's a 17th century windmill park. We rode bicycles through the park and had lunch on a grassy field. Our students met up with some Dutch students and played soccer and badminton.

Today was a travel day, so not a lot of activities.