Day 1 Wednesday, May 10^th - Travel log by Dana

On Wednesday, May 10th, the Sargent Park School Grade 7 exchange students Dana, Keli, Chan, Matthew, and the vice-principal, Mrs. Pundyk, arrived at the Winnipeg Airport at approximately 1:00 pm CDT to leave for Montreal. We sent our bags down the conveyor belt and got on the DC-9 airplane.

At 2:38 the plane leapt into the air.  We had our gum in our mouth and we were chewing it like crazy because we were afraid that our ears would pop.  On the plane, it was fun at first, but then we got really bored with nothing to do except look out the window and the food ... that was great!  We took lots of picture of the land and lakes below but some didn't turn out.

We arrived at the airport in Montreal at 6:15 pm CDT.  We had to hurry to the next flight because our plane left at 6:30pm CDT. We ran to the next flight and got on the plane.  It was a Dash 8 and it was pretty small with only 30 seats.  We were on that plane with the grade 7 exchange students that were from Kingston, Ontario.  There were three boys, a girl, and a teacher.  Their names were Cameron, Robbie, Chris, Christine and Mrs. Kelly.

When we got to Wabash Airport at approximately 9:00pm CD, we met our billets - five girls and three boys - but there were five boys and three girls altogether from Winnipeg and Kingston.

That night we went to the billets house and got little sleep because we were used to our own time zones and we were just getting familiar with the grade six student, their house and their family.  Well that's the first day of our departure and arrival to Newfoundland (Labrador).

Day 2 Thursday, May 11^th - Travel log by Chan

It was the second day of our trip.  We're really tired with lack of energy from that long ride on the plane the day before. Although this was a trip, we still had to go to school!  We went to school with our hosts to J. R. Smallwood School. For the first time, school was fun. (not exactly the first).

That morning, we went to Wabush Mines
with all the exchange students and their hosts,
to one of the many mines in Newfoundland.

It was an iron ore mine.

Boy, were the trucks ever big.

The wheels were taller than us!

We went to see the crater in the mine 
where they dug the iron ore,
it sure was big. 
It was a little chilly, but it was fun.
We kind of missed the weather in Winnipeg though,
because it was so nice and warm when we left.
They still had snow in Lab City and Wabush!

After lunch in the cafeteria of the school,
we had a mini Heritage Fair where they had students
from their school come to look at our projects.

There were no prizes or anything, 
we just went for fun.

When the clock struck 3:15, 
we all went home with our host 
and spent the evening with our host and their family.
And that brought us to the end of Thursday.

Day 3 Friday, May 12^th - Travel log by Keli

On Friday the third day of our exchange, just like Thursday, we got on the school bus at 8:15 am and rode it to J. R. Smallwood Elementary. We got to the class and were to get back on a bus which was headed for the Wabush Town Hall.

We met the Mayor and were served juice and muffins.
We sat in the main conference room
where everyone had a title,
I was the City Councilor.
We received pins and then went to the
Town Hall of Labrador City where we met the mayor of
Labrador City and again we sat in the main conference room.

Once again we had titles, this time I was Deputy Mayor.

Later we went to Fermont, Quebec.  We went to the Futuristic apartment, pool, arena, and shopping mall all in one building.  People can live there without ever buying a coat because they can shop, live and get daily exercise in one building.  We ate lunch in a restaurant in the mall.  Chris, from Kingston, and I had chicken wings, Ceasar salad, and French Fries.  Others had pizza, chicken nuggets, and sandwiches.

We left Fermont and went to a life-size puppet show.  We got back to school for dismissal.  We went to our hosts' houses, played sports and games with the neighborhood kids.  We ate supper at our respective hosts' houses.  Then we went off to the Wabush pool. We swam and had a diving competition between Manitoba with Ontario vs. Labrador.  Manitoba and Ontario won!  We left the pool and went to McDonalds for Ice Cream.  Then we played spotlight until 1:30 am.  Spotlight is an outdoor hide and seek game.  The seekers are the only ones who have flashlights and they have to yell "1,2,3 Spotlight" on hiders name when they see them.

Day 4 Saturday, May 13^th - Travel log by Matt

Today, we went to the school gym 
to visit Mr. Watkins' dogs.

We couldn't go for the hike that was planned,
so we played soccer.
Then we went to the mall and ate there.

A potluck dinner was planned for this evening
where we ate steak,
it was really good.

After, a Newfoundland guy, a singer/comedian
came in and told us some really good
Newfoundland stories and songs.
He was really funny!

Then another man came in and
he was dressed in a yellow raincoat.
This man's job was to officially initiate us
as Newfoundlanders.
He was walking behind everyone and
putting a little bit of water on their heads.
When he got to Chris, from Kingston,
he poured the whole bucket of water on his head!

After he left, 
a cowboy and a cowgirl came in and
taught us how to line dance.
It was kind of fun.

At the end of the party,
all the billets got certificates and t-shirts.
Then it was time for everyone to go off.

It was still nice outside, 
so my host and I 
played soccer at nine o'clock.

Day 5 Sunday, May 14^th

This was the final day of our exchange.  Everyone had the choice to attend church with their hosts or to sleep in.

We all had to pack up our gear and head for the Airport at 1:00 pm to board the plane at 2:15.
It was a time to say good-bye to all the friends we had made and to exchange addresses.
We boarded the plane for our long trip back to Winnipeg.
Two students from our group had the great opportunity to land while in the cockpit with the pilots.
That must have been an exhilarating feeling!
This was a great exchange trip that will remain a memorable experience for us all.