So we arrived in Calgary and were met by Chelsea, our field instructor. Chelsea will be with us for the entire trip and she is great. The Alabama group arrived not long after and integrated easily. It's so fun to see all the students interact. The "Yes ma'm" and "Yes sir" are so impressive. We are hoping the southern manners rub off onto our students. :)
After grabbing a quick bite of pizza at the airport we were off to see the Calgary Tower. It used to be the tallest building in Calgary. There is one spot whee the floor is made out of glass. When you are standing on top of it, it feels like you are falling. Ugh, not great for someone with a height phobia. :) After touring the tower we were given some free time to window shop on Stephen Avenue.
It is Stampede Week in Calgary so the local people and visitors get into the spirit by dressing in western wear the entire week. Any direction we looked people were in boots, hats, and cowboy gear.
In walking thru the shops we encountered our first celebrity sighting. Imagine my surprise when I looked up at the man standing next to me and saw Kevin Costner! It made me feel really old when said "That's Kevin Costner!" and the kids said "Who is that?" Sometimes there are unexpected bonuses on these trips. After dinner we headed to the dorms at Calgary University and everyone crashed for the night.
The People to People Itinerary for Today
- After an early breakfast, head north on Highway 22 following the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.
- Arrive at the Pope Lease Pines and check into to your miner's shack! These cozy dwellings have been renovated from the original homes of local coal miners who lived and worked in the area during the height of the coal boom.
- Take part in a unique experience meeting the Canadian Hutterites and learning about their history and place in the Canadian cultural blanket. These early religious settlers date back to 1536 and are a communal branch of Anabaptists, who found refuge in Canada.
- Returning to the theme of Canada's historic coal boom, discover Canada's last standing wooden coal tipple at the Atlas Coal Mine. Venture atop for something you truly have to see to believe, and hear the tales of Canada's wild Western legacy!
- Visit the East Coulee School Museum and experience first-hand what it was like to be a student in the 1930's during the Great Depression. Enjoy a special "dino-themed" dinner.
- Following dinner, journey to one of nature's most awe-inspiring creations, the Hoodoos in Drumheller's Badlands. Taking millions of years to form and referred to as earth pyramids, Hoodoos are sandstone pillars naturally molded out of canyon rock.
 |
| They went all the way to the top! |
No comments:
Post a Comment