I have not recieved any requests for discs. If you would like one, please let me know. Click here to send me an email.
I wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone know that this was one of the best groups I have ever traveled with. I was impressed by the extent to which our students used their French. The efforts made by everyone to concentrate and pay attention when so much information was being presented in French were also incredible. Our students were polite, courteous, and made continuous efforts to respect cultural differences. We had the fewest number of complaints about noise in the hotel that I can recall having. On our return flight, most of the members of the group were in a small section in the back of the plane. One of the other passengers complimented our students saying, "I didn't even realize there was a group of students here with us." We also received many other compliments on how well behaved our students were and on their ability to use and understand French.
Thank you for entrusting us with your children. Working with a group like this is what makes giving our time so worthwhile.
Monsieur Swanson
Everyone,
We are at the end of our trip (tears), everybody has packed their 5 liters
of maple syrup and 3 hockey sticks. We will be arriving from Detroit at
6:04pm at the lovely MPLS/ST PAUL International airport tomorrow on flight
NW 0757.
If I were you I would check on the flight time arrival considering that we
are flying NWA...
Quebecly yours,
PS: we had an absolute blast during this trip, reserve your spot early for
next year's 2009 Québec trip...
Mr. Saunoi
.....
I reminded Monsieur Saunoi that next year's trip will actually be next year and not in 2009. Monsieur Saunoi has had some problems with headaches this trip (see picture), so I won't hold it against him.
We were told the the falls here are 90 feet taller than those at Niagara. I've never been there so I can't make much of a comparison. I can tell you that the falls are very impressive. From the walking bridge at the top you can look down at the river. As you adjust to the sight of water spraying into the air you start to notice what look like small branches floating on the water below. When you walk down the steps to the base of the falls you learn that they are large tree branches and tree trunks. They've been torn to splinters.
I'll be putting everything on a DVD over the next week or two. Let me know if you want a copy. If you have pictures you are willing to share with everyone please send them to me on a CD, DVD or by email. Merci.
Monsieur Swanson
It is now our last night in Québec. We just returned from La cabane à Pierre. We will be having breakfast our final group breakfast tomorrow morning at the hotel. Here is our flight information:
NWA 757 from Detroit to arrive at 6:04 at MSP.
Please meet us by the baggage claim and be sure to check with M. Saunoi, Mme Johnson or M. Swanson before leaving the airport.
After dinner we went to Artillery Parc and were treated to a English tea ceremony reinacted as if it were 1832. We learned how to prepare, serve and drink that new English tea which is all the rage in London - Earl Grey or Earl Gray.
We did really make it. This is a picture of the group on the fortifications which surround le vieux Québec. This was taken this morning after a wonderfully elegant breakfast served to us on fine china in the Parliament of Québec.
Our first day highlites:
Breakfast in the hotel. The night was uneventful. Everyone seemed to sleep well. We had breakfast in the hotel and headed out for our group photo - the Chateau Frontenac as our backdrop.
Walking tour of parts of la vielle ville - learned about different periods of the history of Québec.
Morning tour of the lower town. You can see the first church built in La Nouvelle France - Notre Dame des Victoires - behind M. Swanson, Mme Johnson & M. Saunoi. We learned about the influence of Louis XIV on La Nouvelle France. We also took the stairs called "casse-cou."
The Musée de la civilisation featured exhibits on Dragons, the history of Québec and the Québecois, and several other topics.
We broke up into smaller groups for lunch.
Monsieur Saunoi is a three-headed monster. Check the picture:
Everyone,
After a hour delay we left Minneapolis to arrive safe and well in Montréal
where Francis our guide awaited us. The bus ride to Québec (about 3 hours)
was fine. We stopped on the way at a buffet where kids enjoyed cuisse de
grenouille (some actually tried) and lots of ice cream. We arrive at the
hotel at 10:30 tired but happy. Tomorrow breakfast is at 8:30, which gives
us some time to sleep in.
Quebecly yours,
Mr. Saunoi
Our flight out of MSP was delayed by an hour, but that was the worst of our problems. Everyone made it. So did the luggage. After arriving in Montréal we took the bus to Trois Rivières where we had dinner at a Chinese buffet. I think everyone was surprised by the quality of the food that we had. We were on the bus for about an additional hour and checked into the hotel around 11:00 pm. Fortunately, we get to sleep in to 8:00 am tomorrow.
Bonne nuit!
Monsieur Swanson
1. Filled out luggage tags. You MUST have the tag on your luggage. We will distribute them at the airport.
2. Went through the itinerary. Things are tight so you need to be on time.
3. Discussed Hotel. Once we are in for the night everyone is expected to stay in their own room (unless there is an emergency). There is a security guard checking our rooms all night long.
4. Discussed electronics. NO CELL PHONES. IPods are allowed, but you are expected to be polite about thier use - not on short bus rides since the guide will be speaking and interacting with everyone.
5. Discussed arrival at airport. Be at the airport in the group checkin area by 11:30 (not the parking lot).
6. Discussed security rules. You MUST have a passport. Limited quantity of liquids allowed as carryon.
7. Increased expenses. Because of the decreasing value of the dollar, things are going to be more expensive than last year, and are generally more expensive than in the U.S.
8. PASSPORT must be in hand at the airport. DO NOT PACK YOUR PASSPORT IN YOUR LUGGAGE.
Look for an updated itinerary and packing list this week.
Do you have your passport?
Meeting during lunch in room 159 (Mme JOHNSON).
If you have not yet recieved a letter from Language & Friendship, contact M. Saunoi, Mme Johnson, or M. Swanson immediately.
Highlites:
New Departure - October 17
Updated schedule and Itinerary
Final payments due - August 28
Non-refundable tickets purchased August 28
Dear families,
As we are all getting ready to go back to school, I am bringing you important last minute news about our Québec trip. To make a long story short we had to change our flights to and from Québec modifying the dates of our trip. We will depart from Minneapolis on Wednesday October 17th, instead of Thursday 18th. We will fly to Montréal and bus up to Québec where we will spend an extra night. Our flight from MSP will be at 1pm so expect to be meeting at the airport around 11am (confirmation will come later). We will come back on Sunday October 21st, on a morning flight instead of an afternoon flight. You should receive a letter from Language and Friendship to remind you of those changes.
Sincerely,
Sébastien Saunoi-Sandgren
PS: As for me, I am actually very glad to be spending more time in Québec...
Photos
