Finally, My Dumons

When I get back from Europe the first thing my son asks me is "Where's the Dumons?".  He had to wait until today, Easter, to get his this year. 

Back Home

Another trip done, another 52 satisfied "customers" (I hope!). We had a great tour of Europe this year, in fact, a Grand Tour, and it wouldn't have been possible without
- Mr. Johnson, who is always there to deal with emergency situations in his calm and professional manner;
- the parents (in no particular order), Catherine, Sharon, Kim, Anita, Dan, Roger, Mirella, Rick, Chris, Krista and Helene - who mothered and fathered not just their own kids but everyone's, making sure the students ate lunch, got some shopping time, were in bed on time, and were heavily medicated;
- and of course Rens - our European host and driver extraordinaire, with a great sense of humour and a real connection to our school (having driven literally hundreds of students and parents from LFMSS through Europe over the years).

As I told the group when we got off the bus at the Florence airport to start the journey home, this was the "best Europe trip ever!".  Which, to be honest, I actually do tell every group.  But it is a question the students often ask me, and it is my goal to make sure that for them, it is an exciting, informative, influential, safe and fun trip - so my answer to the question "Mr. Bresett, was this the best Europe trip ever?" has got to be "For you!"
For the kids, I hope the trip was an invitation to continue to explore and learn from the experience of leaving their little place in the world.  I wish I had traveled to Europe when I was 14!  I don't expect they would remember every little detail, everything I taught them while we were there - what I do expect is that it left them with a strong impression of our connection to the past and our many unique heritages. That impression, unlike a fact of history or geography, can never be forgotten.  The world is huge, the students are young, the possibilities are endless.

Craig Bresett
April 4, 2011

 Getting our bags ready to head into the Florence airport.

 Rens and Europe 2011.

I feel short.

 Some of the parents were "betting" that I wouldn't ride my bike to work Monday morning.  Here I am, 7:20 AM, in front of the school, being pounded by rain, but happy to be back in Canada and looking forward to a day of teaching!

Florence

Florence has always been a short stop on the way to somewhere else for LFMSS tours.  This year, though, we did it in style, staying two nights right in the old town literally 2 minutes walk from the Accademia museum.  The Hotel Panorama not only had nice rooms and views of the duomo, but also the best breakfast in Italy (in other words not just a roof-of-your-mouth-cutting bun with nutella), but a full spread with yogurt, cereal, cheese, meat, etc.  It's a great find, and we will stay there again.  Florence - the birthplace of the Renaissance, and therefore - the modern world - is a delight for art fans, shoppers, stair climbers, foodies, and, on the day we were there - sun worshipers.

 The baptistery to the right and the cathedral behind the cross.

Is this "the one"?

 Brunelleschi's famous dome capping the cathedral.  Most of us climbed up to the top for outstanding views of Florence on the outside, and of heaven and hell on the inside.

 You can't take pictures inside the Accademia (where The David is displayed) - but you can take them in the Piazza della Signoria where this copy stands.

 I don't know if this living statue was in trouble, but the policeman has removed his gloves, indicating he means business?

 A view from the cafe terrace in the Uffizi gallery.  This was the first time an LFMSS group has visited this very famous (and very expensive) museum which houses the greatest collection of Italian paintings anywhere.  Highlights include Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and various works by DaVinci, Michaelangelo, Carravagio, and Giotto to name a few.  No photos allowed inside.

 Strolling through the square.

 Having fun in the sun of Florence.

In the famous leather market.  I had no intention of purchasing anything here, but somehow ended up trying on several jackets - the vendors are very persuasive "You sir, would look wonderful in this cut - you must try this on.  Special deal for you because you're a good guy."  etc.   I didn't buy anything, but there was one jacket that I kind of liked -  the salesmen said I looked like "mafia" in it.

Siena

A new stop on the LFMSS Europe tour - Siena.  With a grand public square topped by an enormous tower (the tallest non-church related tower in Italy), an enormous marbled and art-filled cathedral, and a series of twisted, narrow roads meant more for horses and humans than cars and vespas, Siena is a medieval Italian city like no other.

 

Of course we climbed that tower.  

 The whole group in the town square.

 One of the narrow streets of Siena, lined with iron rings to tie your horse to.

 Fun in the line waiting to climb the tower.

 On top of the tower.

The edge of Siena and the Tuscan countryside spread out before us.

 Top of the tower.

 Looking down at the huge square.  The tower is a bit of a miracle - it was just added to the already existing town hall to celebrate the end of the plague in the mid 1300's - but with no extra work in the foundations of the building, we're not really sure how it can still be standing.

 When that bell rings, she will be sorry.

 Jacob is on his way down the tight staircase.

 In front of the Siena Duomo.

 A beautifully frescoed library in the cathedral.

 One of the interior domes.

 Unique pattern of different colours of stone.

 Cathedral from the outside.

 There apparently must be at least one gelato stop each day we are in Italy.

Mequel has the colours of the Italian flag on his gelato, though you can't really see the green - I think he already ate it?

Cinque Terre

Who doesn't love Levanto?  Seaside Mediterranean charm, great food, small population, no tourists in March...We had another holiday in the sun - with three different hiking options.  The group I was with ascended to  the ruins of a an old monastary looking directly down a long cliff to the rocks and ocean below, then split as some went down to the next town Monterosso, and some stayed high up on the ridge and continued to climb to the sanctuary of Soviore.  Last year I discovered this medieval chapel, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, housing a very ancient pieta (Mary, with the crucified Christ) which pilgrims have come to visit for years.  Today, it was only use, and the church was a nice cool break from the heat of the hiking trail.  Nobody is complaining about the heat though.

 Jason snaps a shot of Levanto, seemingly now far in the distance, though we have really just started our hike.

 Emma makes friends with the strangest of people.

 What time of year is it?

 Interesting ruins, interested kids.

 Josh snaps a photo on the fly.

 The red and white is a sign that you are still on the trail.  Very helpful throughout the long trail system here.

 Ascending through the forest.

 Calder snaps a shot from a great vista point.

 Careful steps.

 We have made it quite high on the trail, but the ascent is not over yet.

 Enjoying a moment to relax, have some water, and pose for yet another group photo.

 These guys did not like my choice for our hostel in the Cinque Terre - but the price was right.

 Lunch time at the first summit.

 Not a good sign - directional arrow on the ground!  We figured it out though.

 Looking down over the town of Monterosso, where most of the group is headed to take the train back to Levanto.

 At the ruined St. Antonio monastary.

 Great views of the Cinque Terre.

 Heading out on the St. Antonio ridge, with its unique terrain.

 A nice open spot on the trail - no cliffs to worry about here.

 The group who did the very long hike to Soviore and Vernazza.

 Reggie can imitate Mr. Johnson's voice, and he thinks it's quite funny.  Mr. Johnson, being a very serious person, doesn't see the humour in it.

 Just follow the feet ahead of you.

 At the top - Soviore, with the courtesy drinking stump.

 Emma dries her hair the old fashioned way.

 In the chapel of Soviore, with the ancient pieta encased in glass above the alter.

 We are at the top.  The puny little point of land just to the right of Jessica and Scott is where we were about two hours before.  This group made really good time hiking.

 We came across these apparently discarded statues of the Cinque Terre.

 Another break?  No!  Let's keep going...

 Down the path on the way to Vernazza (or as the kids thought of it - on the way to gelatto - who cares what town it's in).

 Our destination - Vernazza, far below.

 Reggie really liked that we had to go by the sacred church of Reggio on the way to Vernazza.  He even made a song about it.

 Relaxing with much deserved four scoop gelatos.

 On the train back to Levanto.

 Reggie is not sure about his flavour combinations here.

One of my former students really liked this man from the hostel in Levanto - this picture is for her.  Do not be afraid.