April 23/2011

Yesterday was our second day in Lourdes. Most of us woke up at around 8 a.m. to meet everyone downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast we were allowed some free time to explore Lourdes and even do a bit of shopping. It was interesting to see the many shops and sights in Lourdes and we all looked around to find the perfect souvenirs. Soon after, we met as a group and walked to a church to find a picture of Marie Rivier (however we were unable to find it) We then walked to an outdoor . stations of the cross where we all read together about each station. At the 14th station we all sang the song LOOK AT THE CROSS
After another hour of free time we walked to a theatre to watch a fast passed film on the live of Bernadette. In the evening and after supper we all attended a lively Easter Vigil at the church of the youth: there was singing (and some even danced). We watched the baptism of Bryanna Anderson. After the mass we all went to the second floor of the cafe that overlooked the river to eat and celebrate before going to bed. We had an awesome second night.

April 24-2011
Today was a sunnier day in Lourdes, many of us tried to tan. After breakfast and some free time we went to the place of Bernadettes birth. It was very interesting to see everything we have learned about come to life. We then had more free time and explored even more of Lourdes where some even got lost. After lunch we went by bus to the caves of Berthran. This was really cool to see and the animated tour guide made it even more fun. Those who stayed behind explored the castle of Lourdes and found this very interesting as well.
After supper we all formed a procession to the Grotto and lit a big candle and said a decade of the rosary to pray for Janessas aunt Debbie Who could not come on this trip. The other people on the grounds where partaking in a candle procession and paying the entire rosary.

April 25-2011
Today we left Lourdes to the intense dismay of everyone who enjoys their sleep. After a busride to just pass Toulouse we were all very impressed to the busstop where we took a bathroom break. Then we continued on to the ancient Roman city of Carcassone. Lots of midival weapons, colourful cloth and delicious food in there. The group also sang LOOK AT THE CROSS at the basilica in the city- an apparently we were pretty good. Everyone must have been distracted by the stained glass. It makes you stop and stare....
We finally made it to Viviers after an extremely long busride just to wait for the people in charge to show up. The rooms are lovely and if you had a room facing the courtyard you could see the statue on top of the tree covered hills. We had a good meal with wine. Overall we were tired but had an amazing time.



April 26-2011
After breakfast we undertook a scenic ride through the Provance to the village of Montpezat to visit the church and birthplace of Mother Rivier. We then strengthened ourselves with a snack bought at the local store and climbed the mountain between Montpezat and the next village Thueys. Fast runners were Nicole Amonson and Rebecca Jalbert who managed to arrive at the top in 20 min. The rest followed close behind.
After catching our breath and taking in the wonderful view of the valley we descended in the village on a rocky path. We were rewarded with a fantastic lunch at the house of the sisters of presentation that we ate in the garden under a prospering cherry tree.
We meet the bus again and went home for supper and a good nights sleep.

April 27-2011
After breakfast we took off to the City of Bourg Saint Andeol for a visit of the local open market. We all more or less found some good bargains and enjoyed the tour of the convent after the sister served us HAMBURGERS AND FRITES for lunch. It was very interesting to see how Mother Rivier managed to structure the life of the sisters and children in her care.
We sang for the sisters in the infirmary and a special friend of Sister Mary. This was very moving for some of us....
After coming back to Viviers and having supper we toured the cathedral of Viviers and saw the 5 amazing tapestry hanging on the walls of the church.

April 28-2011
We got up early in the morning for a looong bus ride to get from Viviers to Nice. Besides the wonderful landscape and a visit in the perfumery in Grasse, where we had the chance to purchase the newest fragrance and learn about the complicated process of factoring perfume, this day was rather eventless. We meet our Insight vacations Tour guide in Nice, had dinner and went to bed.

April 29-2011

Early morning departure from Nice on our way to Monaco. The scenic drive was beautiful and one that pictures could never describe. In Monaco we walked in the old town to the Cathedral and the Exotic Gardens on to the Oceanographic Museum. After this we had free time for lunch and some quick shopping. Some of us were able to see parts of the changing of the guard in front of the palace on Place du Chateau. Then we were back on the road again following alongside the Mediteranian “amazing” on our way to Pisa to get our photos of holding up the tower. After a bit more shopping we were once again on the road on the way to Florence. Once in Florence we had supper back to our rooms to bed because early morning tomorrow.

Saturday, April 30, 2011
After breakfast we got on the bus to go the Accademia to visit the magnificent masterpiece of Michelangelo, the David. We viewed the Duomo, central square, Piazza della Signoria and Santa Croce. Shopping for leather goods, gold etc. Was enjoyed by all. We then walked back to the hotel to get ready for supper.

Sunday May 1,2011

Early morning again, on our way to Assisi. We arrived at Santa Maria degli Angeli which is the site of the first Fransciscan Monastery and namesake of Los Angeles. We then took the bus up to the Old Town of Assisi. We went to mass in the Basillica of San Francesco. We then had free time to shop and tour the town. We had a guided tour of the town later in the day including the Basilica of Saint Clare. For 600 years the town has had competitions between the old town and the new town of drumming, dancing, archery. We were able to listen to the drumming competition for a while. This competition is not meant for tourists but only for the local people so we were lucky to have seen this. We then walked to the bus and made our way back to the hotel for supper and an early bedtime because on to Rome tomorrow.

Europe, of the 2011 variety.

We're off to new lands!

Day 1
We boarded the first plane in Saskatoon at 8 o'clock in the morning! A bit too early for some of our tastes, but not too early to trick Sr. Mary into thinking that some of the girls were just leaving PA at 5:30! *cough cough Keisha* Our first flight was on an Air Canada Jazz flight, the little plane with the loud engines. Our entire group took up most of the plane! Forty people in a plane that holds about sixty.. It was a lovely sea of yellow. After we landed in Winnepeg, we wandered around the airport for about 45 minutes, then got onto a Boeing 747 for two and a half hours before we reached the gigantic and beautiful airport of Toronto. The most common activities? Sleep and movies! Most people seemed to be into The King's Speech and Harry Potter (the newest installment). At the moment, we are hanging out around Terminal 173, waiting for our flight to start boarding, which unfortunately won't happen for another 45 minutes. The Toronto Airport is a good place to be, though the internet takes forever to catch up on netbooks, as we learned by trying to keep you all up to date. Entirely worth it, however! We are all tiredly excited to reach our destination- Paris! Sadly, we will have to wait another eight hours before we can see the sights. Should be amazing!

Travel Meeting!

A meeting for all grade 11 travelers and their parents will be held on Monday, September 6 at 6:30pm. Please notify Sr. Mary if you will not be in attendance.

Time To Plan For The 2011 Trip!!!

The trip is scheduled during the Easter Break (Total of 16 days)
Cost: We are making every possible effort to stay at approximately $4800.00. We attempt to make our trips as all inclusive as possible. This means that the majority of entrance fees, excursion fees, good, hearty breakfast and the majority of suppers are included. The student is responsible for most noon lunches, snacks, water and spending money.
How much spending money is needed? That depends on each family. I encourage the girls to stay within $700.
Transportation: We will be traveling by air and by bus.
Deposits and Due Dates: Payments of $400 are due on each of the following dates....
June 28/10, August 31/10, September 30/10, October 30, 2010, November 30, 2010. These payments are all considered to be "non-refundable". A final invoice will be sent to you directly from the travel agency at a later date.

Getting Closer to Home

After waiting for so long it is finally time for the countdown; surprisingly, after the Delta flight form JFK to Prague was delayed by 3hrs the group made it back to America with only 1hr delay.
I have phoned Delta Customer Service and they confirmed that everybody made it on the connection flight from JFK to Minneapolis close to being on time (only 9 min delay).
This means the group will stay overnight in Minneapolis and fly out Saturday morning to Saskatoon.
Unfortunately we have not received the name of the Hotel where your daughters will be staying from Delta, so we have to rely on a phone call from the group to provide this information. We do know though, that they will be met by a Delta representative right at the gate who will arrange the transfer to the hotel after they arrive in Minneapolis.
Michael will stay in the office until the group has arrived and he knows that they are at the hotel! He will work in the office tomorrow and monitor the flight and assist if necessary (not that we think we will need this, but…) and I will take off to the airport to WELCOME THE GROUP back to Saskatchewan.
I hope this is the last news I have for you today, but given the situation that we been through a week of constant changes we will keep you posted.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us otherwise I will see you all tomorrow at the airport

Sincerely,

CARLA KOENIG
Travel Consultant
Lobstick Travel

The Plane Has Landed!

We received a call at 1:30pm (Friday) from Lobstick travel that the plane has landed in New York! We are waiting on details for the remainder of the trip home. Stay Tuned!

Good Bye Prague!

Just a quick update on the group’s return. Yesterday Delta flight 208 from JFK to Prague was 3 hours late in departing and arrived in Prague 3 hours late. Luckily, they were able to make turn in Prague in about 1 hour 30 minutes as opposed to the usual 3 hours, so we gained back some time. Based on the departure time out of Prague of 12:11PM, Delta at the moment is forecasting an arrival into JFK at 2:36PM (as opposed to the 3:05PM arrival they had on their website an hour ago). If they are able to arrive into JFK, earlier or at the 2:40PM arrival; they may have a chance to catch their 4:00PM departure to Minneapolis. They will be arriving at gate 4 and depart from gate 9, but they do have to clear US Customs & Immigration and security before boarding the flight to Minneapolis. It is also my hope that Delta may delay the flight to Minneapolis as our group represents over 1/3 of their passengers. We will have to play this one by ear as their flight gets closer to New York. Tomorrow morning we will contact Delta Customer Solutions and group department to reevaluate our options. Worse case the group spends the night in New York and flies April 24 in the morning from JFK to Minneapolis to connect with the flight they are already booked on to arrive into Saskatoon at 1:07PM. Best case they make their connection and overnight in Minneapolis. In either case, the group is out of Europe! If she has time, I have asked Sr. Mary to give the office a call once they reach New York. By then we should no where they are spending the night and can advise everyone.

Michael Bayda
Lobstick Travel