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Chartres Cathedral |
June 29 - Touring on Way to Paris |
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UPDATE:
Roger called again at 9:45 a.m. (12:45 a.m. Pacific) with this message:
In view of the difficulty of calling out on the phones here, you may want to call your sons/daughters directly at the hotel. We are also discovering that using a phone credit card can be quite expensive. The number of the hotel is 011-331-55-00-6868. When the hotel answers, tell them whose room you would like to be connected to and that he/she is a member of the orchestra. (The orchestra members' rooms are listed on a separate list.) A good time to call would be tonight after the concert. We'll probably get back about 11:00 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. (2:00 or 2:30 p.m. Pacific). Or you can call in the morning between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (10:30 p.m. and midnight Pacific).
This report was filed by Roger from Paris at 2:30 a.m. (5:30 p.m. Pacific).
Phone communication continues to be a problem. We finally found one phone in the basement of this hotel that seems to let us get through. So please don't be alarmed if you haven't heard from your child. Everyone is well and the tour is going very well.
Before we left Tours, we got a message from a member of the audience at last night's concert. She was from Boston and was impressed with such a talented orchestra. She said that she had enjoyed the concert very much.
We had a significant number of late arrivals at the bus this morning which resulted in late fees. I don't think this will happen again.
We went to Chambord Castle for a look around and then on to Chartres. This was special because our tour of the cathedral was guided by Mr. Miller, a famous Englishman, who gives only two tours a day. He explained the message and symbolism of the famous cathedral. The students were impressed with this artistic marvel. He explained how the cathedral was built in the 11th century and the changes that were made in the 14th century. The students listened carefully.
There was not much time for lunch. Janet took the tour guides to task; it won't happen again.
Then it was on to Versailles where we toured the palace and gardens. How magnificent! Some of the students even had enough energy to go down to where the gardens meet the river.
We continued on to Paris. Our hotel is on the south side of Paris. It is a very nice hotel, clean and new. The spacious rooms have kitchenettes. Our excellent dinner was on the north side of Paris. The menu began with cold cuts, and then included pork, potatoes, and ended with an eclair filled with creme broulé.
On our way back from dinner we went past the Arch d'Triomphe so beautifully lit up in the night sky. We went by the Eiffel Tower several times, and each time it was so breathtaking to see it standing so majestically and beautifully illuminated at night. It still had the giant "2000" lighted up celebrating the new millennium. Then we crossed the Seine River and saw where we will be taking the river cruise on Saturday night.
There was an editorial today in Paris's famous newspaper "Le Figaro" announcing our concert. It said that we were "an exciting group and that one shouldn't miss this young energy."
| Versailles |  |
Webmaster's note: We have received word that Eddie Meneses' family is following the tour from Vancouver.
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