A Lot to be Thankful For

By Jen Horrigan 

 

The Thanksgiving long weekend in Canada provides a wonderful opportunity to admire the trees beautiful fall colours, give thanks for the many privileges we have been blessed with and to enjoy time with family and friends.  With LCS students representing 37 different countries this year, for many students this Thanksgiving holiday celebration was a first.  

 

40 students participated in the second annual Thanksgiving Break Trip which started off with a very Canadian weekend of festivities in Canada’s Capital - Ottawa.  While there, students and staff attended the first home game of the season for the National Hockey League's (NHL) Ottawa Senators.  Students cheered loudly for LCS alumnus Cody Ceci '11 and his team, who dominated the game but suffered a heart-breaking loss in a shootout. The group then spent the next two days exploring and visiting spots such as the Canadian War Museum, Rideau Hall, Parliament Hill, Byward Market and the Canadian Museum of History.  Students were encouraged to try the local, very Canadian, treats - beaver tails (a sweet homemade donut) and poutine became instant favourites.

 

On Saturday, the group returned to the beautiful Kawartha region where they stopped at the popular Norwood Fall Fair to take in many agricultural feats - from seeing the largest pumpkins in the area to watching the horse show, petting bunnies and laughing at the chickens. Fun was had by all as they experienced the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this Thanksgiving weekend tradition. 

 

After a busy first few days, Sunday offered a much needed day of rest. Students relaxed at the hotel pool, shopped at the local mall, went bowling and chatted with friends before venturing out to their hosts for Thanksgiving dinner.  The highlight of the weekend for many was experiencing a traditional Thanksgiving feast at the homes of local families. Thank you to the Hickie, Smith, Petrasek, Maffei, Horrigan and Peters families who made the dinners special and memorable.  Turkey, prime rib, harvest vegetables, pumpkin pie and butter tarts were just some of the delicious items on the menus.  Students raved about the wonderful food, the many laughs and the warm welcome they received.  A home-cooked meal brings people together, and the efforts of these local LCS families created so many wonderful memories for our students.

 

On Monday, students took a trip to Toronto.  Considered by many as Canada's most vibrant city, students shopped at the Eaton Centre, travelled up the CN Tower and explored the world under the sea at Ripley's Aquarium.  The fall season brings changing leaves and cool nights, but it also signifies the approach of Halloween and students got in to the spirit with a trip to the spectacular Legends of Horror at Casa Loma.  Toronto's famed castle is turned into a haunted walk where only the bravest dare tread.  With zombies, skeletons, scary clowns and other creatures lurking on the property, it was a hair-raisingadventure just to make it back to the bus!  

 

When the group returned to campus it was clear that fun was had by all.  There is no better way to learn than through experience. For the 40 students this weekend, they were able to experience so much and learned more about Canada, its people, history, culture and traditions.