THE TRIP ON THE WEEKEND

This Saturday started bad, because we needed to take the bus at seven o'clock in the morning, so we got up earlier than the other days. But everybody arrived and we began the bus trip to Toronto, that was going to be so so long.

After three hours on the bus, we stopped for thirty minutes break, and restarted the bus trip again. After five hours trip, it was 1p.m., we arrived at the CN Tower where we could go to the top and see all the city of Toronto. Inside the tower, we could stay on the glass floor taking pictures, it was so scary for some people and funny for other.

We were there one hour and a half and when finished the visit, we took the bus again and we went to Niagara Falls.

We have two hours more before until we arrived at the beautiful place Niagara Falls. There, we went with a boat trip and we could stay very close to the falls. Everybody started to take photos, but it was so difficult because we were completely wet by the water. But was funny because it was a terrible hot day.

We left the boat and went to a Chinese buffet, where we could eat all food that we wanted. Everybody was full and we went to the Glengate Hotel and we did check-in. We had two hours free time, so we went to the centre of the city and saw the Niagara Falls in the evening with lights. Finally, everybody arrived at the hotel and went to bed.

For all the families, have a nice day!!

Alejandro A

CANOEING AND PEDAL BOATING AT DOW'S LAKE

Today we had a really nice day. 

As everyday we started the classes at nine o'clock. We did the Friday test and after the break we went to a park where we prepared for the talent show and we also had time to play football. 

When we finished we had lunch and then we met and went canoeing on the lake. It was amazing. We fell in the water lots of times!

There was a time when Alex and Dario fell in the water and their canoe filled with water so they couldn't lift the canoe. The lifeguards had to come because they need help. 

After that we came back to McKenzie where we took the buses to go back home. 

Jorge U

VALERIA'S BIRTHDAY AND MUSEUM OF CIVILIZATION

Today is 11th of July. For me is not a normal day because I'm turning 17 years old. Sincerely I had one of the best birthdays ever!

In the morning as always we went to Estrie School, there we had our normal English lessons. In our lunch break all my friends, Imma and Victor gave a surprise: they gave me a nice cake and a wonderful present.  Thank you so much!

After the school we went to the Canadian Museum of the Civilization. Surprisingly it was a nice museum and we all enjoyed it!

When we finished our tour all of us went to Rideau Shopping Mall. There we had our dinner. Some of us decided to try "poutine" which is a typical canadian dish. It was great!

After that we went to a music festival in town centre! Actually it was awesome. There were people of our age singing and playing instruments.

Once it finished we all went home. But my day wasn't finished yet. When I arrived home my family gave me a huge birthday cake and some presents. We had a nice time!

We are having a nice experience here in Canada and we are improving our English a lot!

Valeria A

JESUS BIRTHDAY AND SHOPPING AT ST LAURENT

Today was a special day for me because it was my birthday. During our first class my teacher brought in a cake which was delicious and we all sang ¨Happy Birthday!¨.

After that, we had normal lessons until lunch time when my friends gave me another cake. Thank you all!

When our lessons finished we went to Saint Laurent Shopping Centre where we could don anyting we wanted. Most of us went shopping and the rest of us went to Starbucks where there is free internet.

It was a good birthday. Thank you!

Jesus Miguel A

OTTAWA RIVER CRUISE

Hello everybody!

We're having a really nice time here in Ottawa and we are also learning a lot of English.

Today was a busy day like most of the days. 

At first we all went to school where we had English classes alternate with two breaks and forty-five minutes to eat our lunch. 

We walked to the place where we had to take a boat tour of the Ottawa River. It was such a great activity. The views were really beautiful. 

We could see all the important buildings from the boat, and the distinctive nature of Ottawa and Quebec which is awasomely beautiful.

After the boat trip we went for a little walk until we arrived at the Rideau Centre to take our buses to go back home and enjoy time with our homestay families.

Inmaculada P   

VISIT TO THE PARLIAMENT OF CANADA

Today we visited the Parliament of Canada, a huge building in the middle of Ottawa and whose task is to examine laws in a wide variety of areas in the form of bills.

Before entering the Parliament we had to pass through security. Once we were there we found that the walls were portraits of all the prime ministers and the names of all senators were written on them.

The two most important rooms we were shown were the House of Commons, which the senators use to discuss the bills. There was a Speaker (a person chosen to act as a referee between the senators). 

The library is the biggest in Canada and it was burnt some time ago, so they had to rebuild it again.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to visit the tower because the elevator wasn't working. The curious thing about it is that this elevator doesn't move in a vertical direction, it is a bit curved and it would have been funny to go inside.

That's all for now and I hope you liked it!

Dario

FAMILY AND FREE DAY!

After a great week full of fun activities we had a free day! It was perfect to spend more time with our homestay families to improve our language skills and learn more about the Canadian Culture. 

Also it was a great day to walk and explore the neighborhood and the beautiful city of Ottawa.  

Some students met in the mall to have lunch and walk in city centre. They went sightseeing on Parliament Hill and the Blues Festival. 

It was great fun and we also spoke English because we invited the other students at our homestays so we had to speak English with them.

Our first week is finished and this trip has been great so far. I hope we'll have as great time during the coming weeks. 

Jaime W