Travel Club 2009 Italy, Spain and France The supervisors from Travel Club 2009 are so proud of our travelers. Students displayed the utmost respect for the places that we visited. It makes us so proud that we received compliments from the hotels and from our tour guides about how well behaved the travelers were. It never ceases to amaze me how mature students can act when given big responsibilities. Everyone was ALWAYS on time, and not a single passport misplaced! Not even on April Fool’s Day!! Our journey started with the beauty and wonder of the ancient history of Rome. It was great to experience first hand the sheer enormity of the Coliseum and the significance of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel.

I don’t think any of us will ever be able to ride an escalator without recalling the “near incident” at the metro in Rome (good thing for Davide), or eat pasta without thinking of the restaurant serenade and dreaming of the delicious “first dish” served with Italian meals. There’s also the 15 Euro gelato story that will not soon be forgotten. From late evening walks around the river Arno, to candy poker chips, to the races in the square, not to mention the unbelievable shopping, not to mention the architecture, Florence delivered a lifetime of memories. Those of us who visited the original statue of David by Michelangelo were awed in its presence, and those of us who braved the 463 narrow stairs to the top of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) for the most majestic view of Florence need only look at our photos to be reminded of the breathtaking views.

Some of you even helped out the local Florentine garbage man. You make us so proud!! The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa was interesting, and the Baptistery and the cathedral located next to it in the Miracle Square were impressive.

The overnight ferry from Genoa, Italy to Barcelona, Spain was - well - hmm - an unforgettable adventure. The cabins on the ferry seem large in contrast to those we would endure on the overnight train, and once the sea legs and queasiness subsided, I think we were all able to learn a little something about ourselves and our ability to find the good in the not-sogood. We also learned that apples are the best remedy. The Spanish architecture of Gaudi and his amazing Sagrada Famlilia are definitely forever engraved in our minds.

With much walking and shopping and walking and walking and shopping, the Ramblas and the huge fresh food market in Barcelona had something for everyone. Although many of our boys tired of shopping, the girls couldn’t get enough of the shoes and the giant Sephora store. At dinner in Barcelona, students learned that squid really can be tasty! As far as that goes, I think at some point on the trip, everyone tried an unusual food or two, you were all so brave! Now that Ryley students have made the news in Barcelona, Spain, thanks to the ??courage?? some of the travelers demonstrated by going into the exceptionally cold Mediterranean sea, I expect Landon will be needing a film agent soon maybe you can talk to Philippe!! Wow, are those pictures hilarious.

In the end, we all drank from the Canaletes Fountain on the Ramblas, ensuring our eventual return to Barcelona...

The night train was once again an interesting adventure! The experience of riding a train across Europe and the “couchette” rooms might be difficult for people to envision if they haven’t experienced it themselves, but I know all the travelers will do a good job trying to explain it. The beds were exceptionally small, and Justin A. and Justin K. and Brandon….and Mitchell are not. And they were roomies…. And then there was Paris. Start with a city tour offering us our initial glimpse at the imposing Eiffel Tower, the river Seine, the Old Opera house, the new Opera house, Sorbonne University, Arc de Trimophe, les Invalides (Napoleon's Tomb), Tuileries Gardens, the famous statue of "The Thinker", the Pompidou Centre (inside-out building) and so much more.Then to our beautiful hotel for a quick snack (and perhaps a shower??)

Next, a "Philippe" walk to Sacre Coeur Basilica, some time to have a portrait sketched or to do some shopping at the many boutiques in Montmartre / Place du tertre, then to dinner before heading off to bed to dream of fresh French pastries…and that was day one.

Start Paris day 2 with an inside visit of Notre Dame Cathedral (including a group photo taken beneath the statue of Charlemagne, the founder of education - thanks, Charlemagne!)

Next, a half hour train to Versailles, lunch in the Versailles gardens, followed by hours spent walking around the palace and the immense gardens...some of us even rented bicycles to ride out to Marie Antoinette's farm...

...then back to Paris to ride an elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, thus leading to the infamous Gypsy brawl and subsequent destruction of several mini Eiffel Towers…the metro breaks down…twice…finish the evening with a very late dinner before a long walk back to our hotel to conclude day 2…. Day 3 started with a whirlwind tour of the Louvre, followed by several hours of shopping in the labryinth of Les Halles. We finished our time in Paris by standing on Pont Neuf, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle before LIMPING off to bed…you guys were serious troopers. The end of a wonderful adventure... We walked a lot (and by walked, I mean it was a route march from 9 am until 9 pm) from the moment we landed in Rome until the moment we took off from Paris. There was very little complaining and a lot of positive energy. Thanks to all of you for being such great individuals. Most of all, thanks for all the memories and all the laughs. ~ Ms. Whalley-Lomness ~

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL PARENTS, STUDENTS, RYLEY SCHOOL STAFF, BRSD, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING RYLEY SCHOOL TRAVEL CLUB 2009

TRAVEL CLUB 2009 WISHES TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANK-YOU TO THE FOLLOWING GROUPS FOR THEIR HELP WITH OUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS: RYLEY LIONS’ CLUB

DODDS COAL MINE

SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL

TOFIELD LEGION BRANCH 91

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