The MacJohnson's Grand Adventure: October holiday at last!

Oct. 16, 17, 18th

Hello! It's finally the October holiday! What holiday? Yes, it's true, while Canadian kids are still hard at work, we get a week off to rest after the first half-term. Before anyone thinks that this is unfair, please remember that we started school 3 weeks earlier than anyone else!

Anyways, the break started off really fun, as we participated in a ceilidh (pronounced "cay-lee") - which is a gathering where people listen to traditional music and participate in a bunch of folk dances. It was a LOT of fun. This one was held at the local university, and was put on for the international students at the school, and hosted by our church. It was high action, had many sweaty bodies, and a series of sometimes almost violent dances. Due to university regulations, this ceilidh was "dry", but some of the older kilted guys said that regular ceilidhs are even more fun when everyone has had a few whiskeys to loosen them up. I think that we'll have to try this - all in the desire to build cross-cultural bridges of course!

Emma and I made a great partnership - even if I had to keep looking around to see what I was supposed to be doing!

Emma during one of these dances - although it only looks like about 10 people at this event, there were easily over 100 university students, and another 20 or so from our church and the community.

On Saturday we drove for 8 hours to the English port town of Harwich in preparation for taking the ferry to the Hoek van Holland (Hook of Holland) to begin our visit. Nice countryside, but nothing too notable to take photos of on the way - except this nuclear powerplant of course...

Finally at the ferry. It was HUGE on the outside, and had 7 levels for vehicle traffic. Inside though it was cramped and the 6 hour trip seemed very long. Oh well, at least it stayed afloat!