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For Spring break 2009, the Valley High School (from West Des Moines, Iowa) combined String Orchestra and A Capella Choir went on a tour of France including some places in Normandy and Paris. This page documents some observations and photos by one of the chaperons, Al Prosser, and his daughter Ariel.
We were supposed to be on the buses by 9. Since we had to take my son to school, my daughter and I just hung around. Everyone had their passports checked. We loaded up the first two buses and left at about 9:30 AM after a couple headcounts and more passport checks.
The airline messed up the boarding passes, so it took a while to get everyone through. We (the orchestra group) had to go in alphabetical order instead of with our planned chaperones. Also, we could not get boarding passes for the Amsterdam to Paris trip. These were the first minor changes of plan, and did nothing to dampen anyone's enthusiasm. Some of the travelers were practicing shopping already.
If you care more about pictures, click on the picture of the day or the date. If you want to read the descriptions, click on the reference to thumbnail versions. The thumbnails are displayed 1/25 the size.
Wednesday
March 11, 2009 - depart Des Moines, bus to Minneapolis and
fly to Amsterdam.
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version of Wednesday March 11, 2009
Thursday
March 12, 2009 – Arrive in Amsterdam, fly to Paris, bus to
Caen, settle in to hotels and
walk around Caen. Dinner at
hotels
Thumbnail version of
Thursday March 12, 2009
Friday
March 13, 2009 - Caen, Coleville
(Concert at American Cemetery
at Omaha Beach), Concert at St. Aubin-sur-mer. Dinner at La Normande
in Caen.
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of Friday March 13, 2009
Saturday
March 14, 2009 - bus to Paris via
long stop in Rouen. Settle in
new hotel. Dinner at Bistro Romain La Defense.
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version of Saturday March 14, 2009
Sunday
March 15, 2009 - Paris, Versailles Palace, Concert at St.
Clothilde. Dinner at Hippopotamus Neuilly.
Boat tour.
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version of Sunday March 15, 2009
Monday
March 16, 2009 - Paris. Choir concert at Notre-Dame. Louvre
tour.
Concert at La Madeleine. Dinner
at Monte-Carlo after short walk on Champs Elysees near Arc de
Triomphe.
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of Monday March 16, 2009
Tuesday
March 17, 2009 -
Paris. Bus tour. Stop at
Invalides (Napoleon's tomb). Free time!
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version of Tuesday March 17, 2009
Wednesday
March 18, 2009 -
depart Paris fly to Amsterdam
then to Minneapolis and bus to Des Moines.
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version of Wednesday March 18, 2009