The Waterdown District High School History Department has a long tradition of excellent trips to such exotic locations as France, Cuba and Egypt. Following the successful 2008 Battlefields of Europe trip (France, Belgium & Holland) and the 2011 Eastern European Tour (where students and chaperones became the first Canadians ever to visit the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad), Mr. Tidridge and Mr. Harvey were been approved for a trip to the Russian Federation for March Break 2013.
|
|
|
Flags of Russia throughout history
Important Information:
Official Name of Trip: Russian Rhapsody
Tour Operator: EF Tours Tour Number: 1100928 Approximate Trip Dates: (subject to change) March 7th - Friday, March 15th, 2013 Approximate Cost: $3131.00 + $100 (for tips and bus to Pearson Airport). Trip Size: 40 students + 6 chaperons Lead Teachers: Nathan Tidridge, Tim Harvey and Julie Buckle Chaperones: Steve Robinson, Keith Archer and Austin Gourley |
Letter to students/parents:
Itinerary:
|
Our Hotels:
Москва (Moscow)
|
Санкт-Петербург (Saint Petersburg)
|
Trip News:
Coming Home - March 15th
I am writing this from Frankfurt Airport. The Internet is spotty in this airport, but I wanted to send a quick note to say that we are on schedule to be back in Canada soon. Our flight information is still the same, and we should be arriving at WDHS for 7:45pm. If there are any changes I will update my twitter feed at @tidridge.
CONFIRMED: WE WILL BE AT WDHS FOR 7:45pm (writing this from the airport).
CONFIRMED: WE WILL BE AT WDHS FOR 7:45pm (writing this from the airport).
Nevski Prospect and the delegation from Sochi - March 14th
Russia is good to its history, particularly concerning the Great Patriotic War (Second World War). For our last full day in the country we visited the memorial to the Siege of Leningrad (the devastating 900 day attempt by Nazi Germany to destroy the city from 1941-1943 resulting in the death of 1/3 of its population, or 1 million people). The massive monument is beautifully executed and meticulously cared for. We have no idea the suffering of this city (and country) during the German invasion.
Lenin's Study - March 13th
Our day began with Ms. Buckle's game "assassins" as we toured the Museum of Political History (housed in the former headquarters of the Bolshevik Party). We walked through Lenin's study, gazing out over the street from the same spot where he delivered speeches that galvanized the Russian Revolution. A strange museum, there were many examples of life in the USSR under communism.
The afternoon was given over to some free time in central Saint Petersburg - students had the chance to grab a nice lunch (many went out to the local restaurants) and seek out some more souvenirs. Meeting up, we walked over to the battleship Aurora - the dreadnought from which the first shot was fired of the Russian Revolution, signaling the beginning of the attack on the Winter Palace). Nearby, sailors from the Russian navy performed drills (giving us some great pictures!).
The afternoon was given over to some free time in central Saint Petersburg - students had the chance to grab a nice lunch (many went out to the local restaurants) and seek out some more souvenirs. Meeting up, we walked over to the battleship Aurora - the dreadnought from which the first shot was fired of the Russian Revolution, signaling the beginning of the attack on the Winter Palace). Nearby, sailors from the Russian navy performed drills (giving us some great pictures!).
Beautiful Saint Petersburg - March 12th
The snow lifted to reveal the city to us today - a sprawling European settlement that stands in direct contrast with what we saw in Moscow. Our first stop was the St. Peter and Paul Fortress and cathedral. Burial place of every tsar since Peter the Great, the cathedral also (since 1998) holds the remains of the tragic Nicholas II and his family (murdered by Communist forces during the revolution and recently canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church).
Our afternoon was spent in the Hermitage - the former Winter Palace of the tsars. Massive in scale, the Winter Palace puts Versailles to shame. The shear opulence of the place is overwhelming - our students (and chaperons) could not believe it. Built by Tsarina Elizabeth, the structure conveys the power and extravagance of the Russian monarchy. The artists in our midst feasted on works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Monet - we were told that if every piece was given 2 mi
Train to Saint Petersburg - March 11th
A welcome chance to sleep in started our only major travel day in Russian. Departing Moscow by Sapsan high-speed train the kids got to see some of the Russian countryside (flat and endless forests) as we traveled 700 kilometres in under four hours. We arrived in Saint Petersburg to a snowstorm, as well as Tchaikovsky blasting over the loud-speakers (it was perfect). Up until 1991, Saint Petersberg went by the name Leningrad (the province, or oblast, in which the city is found still goes by this name) and it is here that the Russian Revolution erupted during the First World War. Tomorrow the snow will lift and we will head out to explore some of this amazing city's history.
Exploring the City - March 10th
It was an early day as we left the hotel for Moscow's massive Victory Park (built on the site where Napoleon waited for the keys to the Kremlin). The Great Patriotic War (our Second World War) dominates Russian history, and this park both captured the size of the war and the country in which it occurred. That it was so cold (-24C) only enforced how difficult the conditions were for the soldiers defending the city (the Nazi advance was halted 15 km from the park).
Wes Lawler then took us on a tour of the Moscow subway system - one of the most beautiful in the world, dripping with Soviet "Socialist Realism" art. Some stations were lined in marble and gold. For lunch we stopped at Moscow's largest market - a treasure-trove of Soviet relics, Second World War antiques and souvenirs (a lot of rubbles were left here!). Taking the subway home we had time for a group photo near the Russian Space Monument.
With only one hour for dinner and a quick rest, we headed back out for a night at the circus. It was a good lesson for the students to see how different cultures have different perspectives on animal rights. The acts were amazing - truly a spectacle - but people were a little uneasy when they saw some of the animal acts. The lobby of the circus was filled with drugged tigers and elephants for people to have their pictures taken with. Strange.
Arriving at the hotel at 9:45 after a long day it was time to back for the next leg of our journey: the fast train to St. Petersburg March 11th.
Wes Lawler then took us on a tour of the Moscow subway system - one of the most beautiful in the world, dripping with Soviet "Socialist Realism" art. Some stations were lined in marble and gold. For lunch we stopped at Moscow's largest market - a treasure-trove of Soviet relics, Second World War antiques and souvenirs (a lot of rubbles were left here!). Taking the subway home we had time for a group photo near the Russian Space Monument.
With only one hour for dinner and a quick rest, we headed back out for a night at the circus. It was a good lesson for the students to see how different cultures have different perspectives on animal rights. The acts were amazing - truly a spectacle - but people were a little uneasy when they saw some of the animal acts. The lobby of the circus was filled with drugged tigers and elephants for people to have their pictures taken with. Strange.
Arriving at the hotel at 9:45 after a long day it was time to back for the next leg of our journey: the fast train to St. Petersburg March 11th.
Red Square and the Kremlin - March 9th
Driving along the vast boulevards (some are six lanes both ways) we toured the city of Moscow - stopping for a great view of the city at Sparrow Hill - ending up at the foot of Red Square, the heart of Russia. All roads lead to Red Square (all distance in the country is measured from it) and the place is busy with activity. Dominating the square is the Kremlin wall and the beautiful St. Basil's Church. Students were given free time to wander the square (there was a skating rink, shopping mall, and many other things to see) before we met at St. Basils to head off to the entrance to the Kremlin. Sadly Lenin's tomb was under construction so we could not visit, but Stalin's bust marking his grave was could be seen peaking from behind a tree in the construction site.
With soldiers always watching, students visited the heart of Russia's government. President Putin was in residence (his flag flew over his palace) as we visited Moscow's oldest square and two of the Kremlin's many churches (one contained the bodies of all the princes and tsars before Peter the Great, including Ivan the Terrible). The world's largest cannon and bell were also visited.
We are now back at the hotel warming up (-20C this morning) and getting ready for dinner. Today was busy, but tomorrow will be packed!
With soldiers always watching, students visited the heart of Russia's government. President Putin was in residence (his flag flew over his palace) as we visited Moscow's oldest square and two of the Kremlin's many churches (one contained the bodies of all the princes and tsars before Peter the Great, including Ivan the Terrible). The world's largest cannon and bell were also visited.
We are now back at the hotel warming up (-20C this morning) and getting ready for dinner. Today was busy, but tomorrow will be packed!
We have arrived in Moscow! - March 7-8th
It has been a long day, but everyone has arrived safely in Moscow (albeit a little tired). Stopping briefly in Dusseldorf (3 hours) we were met in a near-empty Vnukovo International Airport by our tour director Wes Lawler. Moscow is a HUGE city - the largest in Europe, and our hotel is located northeast of the city centre. Moscow is also the most expensive city in Europe (an apartment the size of the ones in St. John's Apartment Building located in the poorest part of the city will still cost 200,000 American to buy). After getting into their rooms, the kids had a good dinner as we outlined plans for tomorrow - a big day (Red Square & the Kremlin). Bedtime was set for 9:30pm to ensure that they are ready for an early morning! I can tell you that as I write this there are no noises coming from the hallway - everyone is fast asleep.
Meet our friends from Gymnasia No 5!
Learn more about Gymnasia No 5 thanks to this excellent powerpoint from Sochi.
_5.ppt | |
File Size: | 5291 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Watch a great powerpoint sent to us from Sochi (Gymnasia No 5)
Thanks to Ludmila from Gymnasia No 5 for sending us this powerpoint to help our students learn more about Sochi.
sochi_is_my_favorite_city.ppt | |
File Size: | 3001 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Trip Meeting set for February 27th @ 7:30pm in the WDHS Lecture Hall
We will be meeting this night to discuss things such as packing, money, etiquette, behaviour expectations, tipping and the bus to Pearson Airport. This will be the last time we will see each other as a group before gathering at the school on March 7th.
|
Why I love living in Flamborough - Thank you Judi Partridge and Michael Clark
WDHS owes a huge thanks to their good friend Councillor Judi Partridge and community-member Michael Clark for coming to our aid this week (February 19th). When a problem developed with our applications for Russian tourist visas a call when out for help that was quickly answered by Judi and Michael. On behalf of our trip, thank you for helping make Russia possible.
Learn more about the ancient country of RussiaWith less than one month until we leave to one of the world's most facinating countries students should be trying to learn as much as possible about the extraordinary places they are about to see.
Currently, I am reading "Russka" by Edward Rutherfurd (a beautiful book that covers 1800 years of Russian history, calling the country " . . . harsh yet exotic, proud yet fearful of enemies, stepped in ancient superstitions but always seeking to make its mark on the emerging world") as well as watching whatever documentaries I can get my hands on. I will be posting all kinds of resources here as I find them, and encourage students to prepare themselves for an intense nine-days in a world vastly different than their own. You are about to visit the country of light (Rus means light). |
Our trip and the Canadian Olympic Committee - January 28th, 2013
I am happy to let everyone know that we have been contacted by the Canadian Olympic Committee and are exploring ideas that we could do in association with them in the lead-up to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. One if the possibilities includes becoming penpals with a Russian school in Sochi, as well as a flag exchange in Moscow.
Representing your school is a great honour, but representing your country's Olympic spirit (especially after the tremendous Vancouver Olympics and London Olympics) is a completely different level.
This is exciting news!
Representing your school is a great honour, but representing your country's Olympic spirit (especially after the tremendous Vancouver Olympics and London Olympics) is a completely different level.
This is exciting news!
Letter to travelers from Tour Director Wesley Lawler - January 21st, 2013
I am happy to publish a letter to our students from Wesley Lawler, our 2013 Russia Tour Director. Wes will be with us the entire time we are away (he will be the first to greet us in Moscow and the last to say good-bye in St. Petersburg).
Letter to Waterdown.pdf | |
File Size: | 42 kb |
File Type: |
The 2012 Inaugaration of President Vladimir PutinThis, very professional, video gives you a glimpse of the power surrounding President Putin. I am struck by how alone Putin is throughout the ceremony - as well as how quiet Moscow is - as if the entire country is holding its breath for the return of this president. The face of modern Russia, Vladimir Putin has ruled this country since he was first elected president in 2000 (he served as prime minister from 2008-2012).
|
|
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered CountryIn Grade 10 history I sometimes show the pop-culture movie "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." Released the same year as the collapse of the Soviet Union, Star Trek VI does a good job of capturing the feelings of many in the western world around the end of the Cold War. For anyone interested, I have uploaded the handouts that I distribute to students before showing this movie.
|
|
Flight Details, January 12th, 2013
Please see the attached file to find out our flight information for Russia 2013.
|
|
December 7th, 2011
A meeting was held in Room 218 for all WDHS students interested in traveling to the Russian Federation in 2013. Over 60 forms were distributed. With only 42 spots available, we must operate on a "first come, first served" basis. Spots are secured when WDHS permission forms are handed in to Mr. Tidridge.
A reminder that parents/students will need to set up accounts with EF Tours - all payments will be made through these accounts (except the $100 fee for bus and tips, as well as the Russian visa fee).
A reminder that parents/students will need to set up accounts with EF Tours - all payments will be made through these accounts (except the $100 fee for bus and tips, as well as the Russian visa fee).
Great powerpoint highlighting the architecture of St. Petersburg (thanks to Mr. Maga for passing this along):
St.Petersburg: Russia of the Tzars.pps | |
File Size: | 10887 kb |
File Type: | pps |