San Diego Children's Choir, Pacific Northwest Tour
Saturday, June 26, 1999

Please click on any thumbnail to view a larger image; journal entry to follow

Note: Today the choiristers had a "free day" with their homestay families. We received journal entries from several. Here are two; I expect one more. Meanwhile, Stuart (Polly's son) drove the chaperones into Vancouver. We got an early start: 11:00AM. Some of us hiked in the rainforest in LightHouse Park while others cruised the streets of downtown Vancouver. We all met up at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and later managed to have a wonderful dinner at the Boat House (even though most of us had lunch a mere two hours earlier). We made good use of our time together, planning the chaperone entry in the Tour's Singing Talent Show. (That's all I am permitted to reveal at this time.) We attempted to experience some jazz, but were denied entry because some of us were wearing "runners."

The chaperones concur that this is the best group of kids. However, we still enjoyed our "day of freedom."

Respectfully submitted without prior approval of anyone by Gail

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On Saturday I went to Metrotown with my homestay. At metrotown, I played video games for an hour, then I went shopping. I got tired and slept in the car while leaving Metrotown.

Next, we went to Gransville Market and shopped there too. Then I went back to my temporary home and played N-64. That is what I did.

Written by Ryan

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Today was amazing! First of all, I got the priviledge of sleeping in until 9:30! After getting dressed and eating waffles with butter and syrup, we took off.

My homestay, Mr. Horton and his daughter Jennifer, took Janice and me all over Vancouver and Coquitlam. We drove through a quaint park called Stanley Park. The park was lined with a magnificent shoreline of a bay and boats within it. Continuing up the hill in Stanley Park, we stopped at Prospect Point. There, we were able to see all of the Burrard Bay. We then travelled back down the hill and headed to the famous Gastown (which is similar to San Diego's Gaslamp).

Hitting tourist shops and the Jazz Festival were top on our list to see. Even though I don't really like most jazz music, the band who was playing was great.

One of my favorite parts of Gastown was one of the street performers. He was a magician who performed an outstanding trick. He chained his hands behind his back and chains were wrapped around him and then locked. He was then put into a bag and was given 60 seconds to get out. Well, he did it, with seconds to spare. I was in awe of him and his great illusion.

After two hours of being a "rambling tourist," I got into the car with the others. We then went to Grouse Mountain and rode the Skytram to about two-thirds up the mountain. Though fog was partly in the way of the view, it was great to see ALL of Vancouver below me.

While still on Grouse Mountain I got to see a great movie. "Born to Fly" was a movie in the point of view of an eagle. The eagle looked over and concentrated on certain areas on Grouse Mountain.

We headed back down the Skytram and started back to the Horton's home. We stopped at "Roger's Video" and got the movie Patch Adams for later viewing. We went "home" and lounged around a few minutes before dinner. We put on Patch Adams on at 9:00PM and then went straight to bed.

Sounds like a nice day, eh? (Ha! Ha!)

Written by Shastina

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