Spirited Northern

It's been said by someone somewhere that one can never really come home again. I'm glad that's not true. Home is, well, home. After 10 hours on 2 planes, and an 8 hour drive north, we found ourselves back in the parking lot at the school, students and parents reunited. I am not sure who was more relieved: them or me! It was one of those moments where one just cannot decide if the past 10 days were a vivid group dream or if they really did happen. Over the 12 days we were gone explored 4 distinct regions of the UK. We definitely didn't have enough time. We left so much undiscovered, and had to move on all too quickly. We met new people and made some friends. We argued, and laughed, debated, questioned authority, ... read more

Reanne M. is 15. She is shy, articulate, and has a beautiful smile. Her hobbies are sewing, gaming, listening to music and exploring. She hopes to become a nurse when she grows up. She enjoys eating crepes filled with strawberries, bananas and Nutella. This day the trip was slowly coming to an end. Our huge group made up of four other small ones got split up and each went to a museum of their choosing. I went with six kids from our group to the science museum in London which held many exhibits including space exploration and old/newer technology. With left over time from finishing the museum early our group went to go get food from new places. Mollie, Rachel, Johnathan and I went to go get crepes while Julia and Aislyn went across the street ... read more

It's Kya's turn to blog today. Kya is 17 and in grade 11 and is hoping to study social work at the University of Manitoba after graduation next year. Kaya enjoys being active and going to the gym. She loves shopping, fashion, has a sunny disposition and has the travel bug now! We are writing this blog while cruising on the ferry to Scotland this very early morning.... Yesterday we started the day off at the Giant's Causeway. It was the most beautiful, magnificent experience of my life. Every scene was breath-taking and I couldn't get enough of it. I've met so many different people so far and had a conversation with one of the security guards at the Giant's Causeway and he was so amazed to have met a Canadian. One of the things I ... read more

Introducing Jon M., a very bright and humourous young man, Jon is the sole male student with us on this trip. He is likely overdosing on estrogen. Poor boy. He is one of my favourite students ever. This is his account of today. Carolyn A recurring theme in the Republic of Ireland seems to be rebellion. In this case it would be less in the traditional sense of negative connotation, and instead in an effort to assert freedom, independence, and sovereignty. To quote our "informed travel companion", Lewis, "the rebels of yesterday are the politicians of tomorrow". This theme would be no more appropriate than today, Easter Sunday, the 101st anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916, a critical and bittersweet moment in the history of Ireland. While back home kids are looking for chocolate, and ... read more

I sit in an intimate and elaborately outfitted internet bar/cafe in Pearson Airport with about 1000 others. The din of conversations is punctuated by glasses clinking and cutlery scraping plates. Someone is munching on potato chips neraby enough that the crunch is palpable. While not as packed as it was in December when I was on my way through to Paris, it is busy enough with some groovy alternative tunes, and I am reminded that living in the north means places with almost the population of my town make me feel frazzled and unsettled. Too much noise and much invasion of my space. My lack of sleep over the past two nights is catching up with me. That is actually okay because I need to sleep on the plane. I really, really need to sleep. Looking ... read more