Vancouver to Vancouver (BC)

This year, Jourdan's Concert Choir traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia for their annual tour. On Thursday, April 3, 64 students and 11 chaperones boarded two tour buses bound for Canada.  Our first stop that day was Western Washington University in Bellingham.  We were treated to a performance by an a'capella choir, then the group spent time performing and enjoying music from other choirs. (5th from left in red shirt)

After dinner in the dining hall on campus, we boarded the buses, once again, for Canada.  There were no problems as we crossed the boarder, and we arrived at our hotel late that night. The next day, we had a day-long clinic with Dr. Langager on campus at the University of British Columbia.

We were lucky to be able to perform at the Chan Center for Performing Arts on the UBC campus.  The highlight of the day was watching Dr. Langager enjoy the choir's performance of Peze Café so much that he pulled out his i-phone and recorded the choir.

That night, we boarded a boat and enjoyed a harbor cruise around the downtown waterfront area of Vancouver.  By water, the city was beautiful.  We even floated passed the Olympic torch which was burning on shore.

On Saturday, we went to Stanley Park to explore the Vancouver Aquarium.  First stop, beluga whales.  We got a special demonstration of the staff's diving abilities as the choir director accidentally dropped her glasses into the exhibit. To help her remember the occasion, Jourdan bought his choir director a beluga whale ring as a souvenir.

Next stop, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.  It was pouring rain, of course because it was the one day where our group was outdoors.  The other 3 days were sunny and perfect....because we were indoors or traveling on the bus...isn't that how it always goes.  The park provided everyone with yellow ponchos, which made for a hilarious scene.

Since most of our group of 400 was wearing the yellow ponchos, the bridge crossing looked like a scene from Despicable Me - look at all those minions crossing the suspension bridge over the gorge.  This trip was not for those who have a fear of heights.  With that number of teenagers on the bridge, it sways and bounces over the huge span.

Of course, when you're all alone on the bridge, there's very little movement.  Jourdan didn't need a yellow poncho because, like any good Eagle Scout, he brought his waterproof coat and pants!

On Sunday morning, we loaded the buses up bright and early for the long trip back home to the other Vancouver.  The boarder crossing was exciting as we had to disembark from our bus with all our carry on baggage.  Then, we were asked to return to the bus and completely unload ALL of our luggage, even the stuff underneath the bus.  We were then sent through the scanning machines.  And, if that wasn't enough excitement, our bus (the one I was on) broke down just 30 minutes after crossing the boarder.  We called to have the other bus from our high school turn around and come pick up 20 of our kids. Then we had 5 more picked up by another local high school.  The 12 of us remaining on the broken-down bus (5 chaperones, their 5 students, and 2 extra students) waited for 3 hours for an additional bus.  Fun way to end the trip!  Although, another school broke down on the way TO Canada, which is much worse because they missed events, so I consider the timing fortunate.