Algonquin

Dear Algonquin Park,

Although we enjoy your beauty, your gorgeous landscapes and breathtaking wildlife, we do not appreciate the fact that you rain on us while we camp every time we come to visit you. Could you please re-consider your watering pattern to suit us?

Thanks,

English on the Road
xoxo

Ohh.. Algonquin. Here at English on the Road, we have a love-hate relationship with you. I guess the love out-weighs the hate because we keep going back to visit the park. Again, we had a bear warning in our camp ground which made us be extra cautious with storing our food properly.

We had a nature walk with Kevin the Park Naturalist. We explored different species of plants, we learned how to track the population of moose in the park as well as the population of bears and turtles. During our trek we saw, turtles, rabbits, shrews, turkey vultures, ospreys, chipmunks, mice and toads. The wildlife of the park was truly captured when I discovered a squirrel in our van! To add to this, we also learned how to wash ourselves in the lake, and live without amenities!

Sonia and I caught a glimpse of Algonquin's outdoor theatre on our last night. We saw a play on the death and mystery surrounding the famous park artist, Tom Thompson.

All and all - we did have a wonderful time. We all found our love for nature and ......I SAW TWO MOOSE!!

Love,

The English on the Road Team

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls was spectacular! Each time I get to see the falls from my student's new perspective, I get to re-live the beauty and experience the excitement all over again! This is one of the reasons I enjoy my job.

We only had one night in Niagara before leaving for Algonquin, so we made the most of it by taking a tour on the Maid of the Mist and exploring Clifton Hill at night. The students described Niagara Falls as "Baby Vegas" and suggested that we tone it down a bit and keep the town of Niagara Falls more natural to showcase the falls.

For some highlights of Niagara Falls - check out our Photos Tab here.

Welcome EOTR 2012!

Let the Trip Begin!

Day 1 of EOTR started on July 10. Fraser and I went to the airport  and picked up 7 students from Italy and Germany. The 6 students from Italy are: Chiara & Christina (siblings), Eduardo, Manfredi, Alessandro and Georgio. Last but not least, we have one student from Germany named Sonia.

While in Toronto we stayed at the HI Hostel and walked everywhere on foot. On Day 2 in Toronto we walked to China Town, got some bubble tea, and oddly, we were asked to participate in a Chinese Photoshoot for hair facinators! We then went to Kensington Market, browsed the shops, toured the financial district, and found a piano to play on the grounds of the Ontario College of Art and Design. Georgio graciously played some Bach for all of us to hear and we finally headed back to the hostel.

Day 3 in Toronto was for shopping! We headed to the Eaton Centre where the students fell in love with ROOTS Canadian Apparel and shopped until they dropped - or got hungry. After we breaked for lunch, we toured Queen Street. Among the student's favourite shops on Queen St. were a comic store, and Steve's Music Store. In Steve's Georgio played some more Bach on the piano while Sonia rocked out to AC/DC on an electric guitar. Outside the shop, Fraser and I spotted a custom bicycle unlike any we had ever seen before! The owner allowed us to take it for a ride down Queen St. I tried, and failed due to my short arms and Fraser suceeded at riding it for a short distance. We ate dinner out, and strutted to the harbourfront to have some ice cream and relax by the water.

On Day 4 the students started out by taking the elevator ride up the CN Tower. Everyone of them loved the glass floor and the spectacular view of Toronto. Lunch was served at the St. Lawrence Market and the afternoon was spent on the beach at Centre Island. We all had a game of frisbee where I saw moves I had never seen before. The students dove into the sand to catch the frisbee as well as perform handstands to catch the frisbee with their feet and some even caught the freebee using their heads! Our day was complete when we caught a glimpse of the Toronto Police riding their horses along the island beach.

Photo Highlights: