If you happen to be "friends" w/ me on Facebook (FB), you probably know that I had to opportunity to go along w/ our oldest son, Zach, on a tour of Europe. Over a year ago Zach received a letter from Dr.Brashier of Valdosta State University to be apart of and play (his bassoon) w/ the Georgia Ambassadors of Music. This was a huge opportunity because to be apart of this group was by invitation only. We were very excited for Zach. At the meeting, we were taken in by the power point presentation of past trips and that parents were invited to come along and not as chaperones either. Then the cost of the trip came up....that brought us back to reality real quick! After much thought, we came to the conclusion that this would be a once in a life time opportunity since this tour is every two years. The next trip would be after Zach graduates. My hubby and I agreed that one of us should go with him. I thought it would be a good idea if he went since he has been over there many times but he thought it best that I went since I share the love for music w/ Zach & he really doesn't care for it much. I will be honest, I was excited but nervous since I had never been anywhere without my hubby or family. Then the thought of having to pay off two of us going on the trip in just over a year time was overwhelming. We knew that once we started paying there were no refunds if we weren't able to make the payments & couldn't go. Thankfully with the support & contributions from many of our family members & us doing without here and there we were able to go on this awesome tour!!
After a long wait, Wednesday, June 6th finally came for us to head up to Stockbridge Ga for a 3 day rehearsal at Woodland High School. Some kids knew each other but many didn't since this orchestra was made up of teens all over Georgia. You could tell by the first rehearsal that there was some nervousness & some were timid when playing. But after all that wore off & the kids began to settle in and have an understanding from Dr.Brashier what was expected of them, they got better. On Friday they performed their first concert for their parents & other family members who were able to come. All the hard work was paying off but it was also a time to hear the areas that needed work. Saturday we had one last day of rehearsal before we left at 6pm that evening to go to the airport. They would not play again until their first concert in London. When we arrived at the airport, we were told to use the kiosk to check in. With so many of us checking in at the same time it overloaded the system & then the clerks had to call and have the systems cleared so the computers would accept our passports. That was a little bit of a set back. Once a small group was finished checking in, we were able to go through security. Thankfully Zach & I were the first ones through. It took about 2hrs by the time the rest of the group got checked in and through security. By 10:30pm we were ready to board the plane. Our only concern was Zachs bassoon. It was longer than a normal carry on and could not go on the plane as a checked luggage since his instrument is very delicate. We were not stopped & his bassoon fit in the over head compartment. Now it was time to settle down & try to rest for the long plane ride and full day ahead since it would be after noon once we arrived in London. I have tons of pictures but I will share what I can to keep this post from being way too long.
Rehearsals
Yep, playing Duck,Duck, Goose!!
First Concert
Off We Go!
We Made It!!! So the journey begins! Our first stop, London. We hit all the major attractions like Buckingham Palace, St.Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Cathedral, Parliament, Big Ben , Tower of London, Wesley's Chapel & Piccadilly Circus & much,much more! Due to rain, the band didn't perform but did have a practice session at the hotel. When we were at the Tower of London, we were able to watch a rare event where cannon's shot off 60+ rounds in honor of Prince Phillip's birthday. My favorite part was when a group of us went to see Carmina Burana! The choir & orchestra were amazing! Heard a pianists Benjamin Grosvenor who was great & I was mesmerized by his playing! From Sunday to Wednesday our days were full of adventure & lots of walking!!! Even though there was lots of rain,lots of cigarette smoke and I had not be feeling well ever since the week before, that didn't stop us from enjoying our time there!
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| Guards walking to the Palace |
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| Guards, on both sides, at their station |
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| Olympic Clock |
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| St.Pauls |
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| Windsor |
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| Taxi. Most were black but there were some colorful ones |
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| A pigeon landed on my head!! |
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| Famous picture of the Queen & family |
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| Wesley's Chapel where the choir sang |
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| Mail Box |
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| Shakespear's Globe |
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| These were a photo shoot for everyone! |
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| The original toilet by "Crapper" |
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| John Bunyan- "Pilgrim's Progress" |
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| Buckingham Palace |
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| Funny Sign |
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| The Eye w/ Big Ben & Parliament behind us |
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Bag Pipe player
We left early Wednesday & drove to Dover dock & took a ferry to France & stayed just out side of Paris
Dover Docks
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Welcome to Paris!!! It's not the "City of Romance" that I was expecting to see when arriving in Paris....... the homeless, graffiti, people and traffic surrounded us......
I knew there had to be some beauty to this place!!! Here is the beautiful Paris that everyone talks about ......
We visited the famous hilltop Montmartre & saw the Basilica of Sacre-Couer. We walked through one of the largest museums in the world the Louvre. We took the steps to the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower. Walked through Notre Dame and saw many more great attractions. We had our first band concert at Luxembourg Gardens. Everyone was wondering how people would know that they were playing. Once we got to the park we saw that their were people all around and when they band started to set up those who were in the park began to take their seat. Then there were those just walking through that would stop & listen and go if they needed too. They ended up having a good sized audience. After the band concert we then walked to St.Severing for the choir concert.
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| In Front of Notre Dame |
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| Eiffel Tower |
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| Nutella Crepes! Yummy! |
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| Work Truck...small |
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| First concert |
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| She was speaking in French- "Great Job Playing"?? |
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| Eiffel Tower at night!! |
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| The choir sang at some beautiful churches! |
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| View from the 2nd floor of Eiffel Tower |
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| A view from our evening boat ride |
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| Yummy!! |
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| Lock covered the bridge- Love could not be broken |
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| At the Louve. Mary & Jesus |
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| Basilica of Sacre-Coure |
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| Men facing the camera are pick pocketing. Dont let them fool you w / their string tricks! |
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Beautiful garden across from Notre Dame
I will be posting about our trip in sections so they are not too long. If you would like to view all the pictures & even hear some of the performance, you can find me on FB under "Kris N Melissa Suess"
Next will be my favorite place out of all of our stops in Europe!!
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