Sorry all. Being a rookie chaperone, I have been slow to get the blog running and I am writing this after the fact. But I did get the Flickr website up and have posted all of the pics to date (
http://www.flickr.com/photos/team-basef/sets/72157629686661958/). So here goes.
Cathy and I met at the Burlington GO station as planned for 10:30 am. The first thing that Cathy did was gave me was an envelope with $300 US and written on it, "Get the Receipts". Nothing ever changes ... I get the same envelope at home as well.
Our Team members Eisha, Camilla, Dennis and Mangot were all on time. Soon the big TEAM CANADA bus rolled in ... hugs and kisses were exchanged between parents and kids, likely with promises to call home to wish the Moms a "Happy Mother's Day for tomorrow. Luggage and project displays were all loaded. However, the 10:30 am departure was held up when a flat tire on the bus was discovered. In a way that was a nice mishap because it prompted the unloading of TEAM YSC while we waited for a tire repair truck. It was a much easier process to have the kids from TEAM BASEF meet and mingle with the 19 kids from TEAM YSC. It was a convenient way to do the meet and greet. We also met the TEAM YSC chaperones, Stefane, Kartik, Si Yue and familiar face Ingrid from BASEF. I learned that Stef, Kartik and Si Yue were all prior members and winners of previous TEAM ISEF/CANADA. These kids are so lucky to have such knowledgeable chaperones.
What was anticipated as a temporary delay ended up as a prolonged wait of almost 3-4 hours. Consequently, a need for lunch ended up with a visit to the McDonalds in an adjacent Walmart. Although some did succumb to the allure of McDonald foods, many purchased their own healthy foods from the Walmarts grocery section. (parents cheer)
By 2 pm or so, the bus was finally repaired and on its way. Or so we thought. At the US border, our bus was pulled over for a DOT check ... at least another hour delay. At the same time, our whole bus was emptied and each and everyone of us were paraded by 4 US Customs officer. Luckily no problems, all formalites were met and we were on our way. Pittsburgh, here we come.
In the back of my mine, I am brought to think that unfortunate events often happen in three's. So I am told. Well, first the tire, then Customs ... what was to be the third delay? Luckily, nothing unfortunate happened. Many slept here and there and friendly banter was abundant. Kids these days ... music seem to be a common denominator to their dialogue and interests.
With a 6:30 pm stop at a Subways for "dinner", the bus finally arrived at 8:30 pm at our destination in Pittsburg ... just a 4-5 hour delay. The downtown Doubletree Hilton was a welcoming site.Check-ins were smooth and everyone was settled and told that curfew was midnight (I think) with a morning meeting for breakfast scheduled for 7:30 am.
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