Day Three: From the White Cliffs of Dover to the Green Fields of France

Today was a fairly hectic day of traveling...and on these travel days it is typical for me to not necessarily write as detailed a blog as possible, but I will certainly try.

We awoke in London and had another fine breakfast.  We boarded our coach and headed off towards Canterbury.  Today was a Sunday for us (days of the week are hard to discern while one is traveling) and so much of the city was closed.  This includes the cathedral.  As we approached the city, David began to explain to us why the city of Canterbury is so important to British culture.  You know, I think sometimes, we take these tour directors for granted.  We know they are the organizational genius behind a successful tour, but we often forget that their passion for history, culture, and learning is what fuels them...David is not a city guide, but he seems as well versed as any hired guide one might see giving detailed city tours.  I've peeked at his notes/records and I can see his attention to detail.  The lessons he taught about Canterbury today were spot on and although the Cathedral was closed, we still gained a great deal from our visit there.

The left wall of this church was originally built by the Romans and was built-up by every other group from the area's history.

This house leans over the street.

This is the entrance to the Cathedral.  It was closed, but many of us got a pretty good look.

It was pretty cool to be there and it got me thinking.  Back in the day, circa 1995, Saugus High School made students write some Chaucer-esque prose.  Our task was to tell our Canterbury Tale.  I was dumbstruck and so, I wrote mine as if I were a member of U2.  Now, however, I am a little older, a little wiser, and a little less concerned about what my classmates think of me...and so, here is a new version of the Canterbury Tales.  I call this one the Starving Man's Tale: (I cannot promise that I'm using the correct rhyme scheme...it's been 20 years)

_______________________
We got on the bus outside of London-town
The students loved the city and I saw many a frown.

On the bus, we road to Canterbury
Our driver Osman did not hurry.

There was no traffic as we made our way
and we arrived fairly early, I'd have to say.

The village was quiet as many were at church
Our students wandered about like they were at search.

David gave us a quest that we had to complete
"Walk around," he said, "and get a bite to eat."

On the Ferry, we knew, we would soon ride
To seek out delicious foods and stuff them inside.

I gathered about with some of my fellows and took off with a sprint
We stopped at a Cafe; I got a Chai Latte with mint.

My gullet, however, was far from full
I was unsure if I wanted pork, chicken, or bull.

Upon some students we came and we were forced to judge
as they regaled us with stories of great deals and cheap fudge.

My sweet tooth was tingling and I grabbed a sample
It was tasty for sure, but the amount was not ample.

Something with substance is what I craved
My belly was empty, I felt depraved.

Finally, I saw something through a store window
It beckoned to me with great flavor to bestow.

Pulled pork pig suckling on an apple
The flavor looked good, this sandwich, I'd grapple.

Inside I went with a flurry and flash
A huge yummy sandwich I paid for with cash.

I ate it quick and savored the taste
I ate it all, not a morsel to waste.

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(Thank you for indulging me and my version of poetry, now back to the blog.)

We left Canterbury and made our way to Dover.  The White Cliffs stood alongside this quiet little portside town, but there were huge ferries that were waiting to take us across the Channel.  The area was under construction and we got a little mixed up, but we eventually made it to the correct spot.  We unloaded the bus and waited for the announcement calling us to the boat.

When it was our turn, we made our way onto the Ferry. I think most of the kids were surprised at how big it was and the options available to them.  While I had eaten my sandwich in Canterbury, some of the kids bought food on the boat.  The ride is about 1 1/2 hours and the time seemed to fly by for me.  I teach an online course at North Shore Community College and took advantage of the strong wifi signal to catch up on some work.  Others napped.  Some were not feeling well; others were just tired.  Eventually, France was in sight and our ferry docked.  We met our new driver, Yenice. He is from Turkey, but lives in Belgium.  He agreed to take us to the French city of Rouen before we went to our hotel.  Little did David, or Yenice, know, but Rouen is the Baptismal sight of Rene Lavoie.  He was the first of my family to travel to America (Canada) at the time of the Huguenot exodus from France.

The city was nice, but we didn't have much time.  It was really a dinner spot.  David took many of us to Flunch.  I had eaten at a Flunch when I was first in France (I was 17) and I wasn't a fan.  There was a pizza place next to the restaurant and a few of us were headed inside.  I chose to walk to the end of the block to see if there were other options, there were none, and I headed back to get some Pizza.  Inside the restaurant, I was met by a waiter.  I said, "Bonjour" and asked if he spoke Enlgish (Keep in mind, I was speaking my very limited and much broken French)...He did not.  I told him I lived in the United States and wanted to sit with my friends.  He said, "Ah, okay," and beckoned that I should follow him...I did.  We walked around the corner to an empty section of the restaurant and he pulled out my chair.  There were no Saugus kids there.  I was alone, but I felt it would be rude to leave.  The end result was dinner by myself.  It was good.

After dinner, I met up with the several groups of kids we had at a couple of spots.  I had yet to see the Cathedral at Rouen, but felt as though I had too.  The rest of my family has been there and I was a quick walk away.  I ran to it, grabbed a quick photo, and headed back to the bus.  We then took off to the hotel.  It was a long day and although we didn't physically do anything too demanding, many of us our exhausted. The hotel tonight is not as nice as our first hotel, but we are only here for one night.  The wifi is weak, but I was able to buy a Coke Zero to assist me while I write tonight's entry.  I finished it long ago when I was waiting for the pictures to process...they never did.

Me in Rouen

Tomorrow is an important day.  We will be visiting the beaches of Normandy and the American Cemetery.  David reminded us that this burial ground is actually considered US soil; so, in a sense, tomorrow, we are coming home for a bit.  I'm sure we will all be moved by what we find, but I am also sure, that it is these types of moments that make these trips what they are.  I've been to a lot of important historic sights.  I've never been to Normandy, and the more I get to know our travelers this year, the prouder I am to share this memory with them.

Now...for a couple of quick shout outs.  Happy Birthday to Katie.  I hope you didn't mind the singing...We didn't have time to rehearse and I am afraid you were sitting near the chaperons...not the kids who really sing well.  I hope your birthday will be one that you are not able to forget for a long time.

Danielle, we don't offer French at Saugus High School, but everyone keeps telling me what an outstanding job you did ordering dinner tonight.  I hope, when you go off to Clemson next year, that you consider looking into taking it there.  I might need someone to translate on a future tour!!!

The Boys...we appreciate your assistance with the bags today.  I hate to put this on you guys, because of equal rights, and all, but I'm thinking you will probably be helping for the entirety of the trip.  We are in France now, and I am pretty sure that's the birthplace of chivalry.  Thanks for displaying it today.

Finally, to the unnamed dock worker who saved Ms. Larson from going the rest of the trip without her cell phone.  We all appreciate it.

Mr. Lavoie, currently sitting in a wicker chair but swaying back and forth and left and right like he was still on the ferry.