A Few Words from Dan

I will start off by saying that this trip has been amazing. Memories were made, new friendships were created, and most importantly we all had fun doing it. Starting off we had to three planes to get from London to Fond Du Lac. The plane ride to Toronto from London was a little bit awkward for those of us that didn't know each other. But as we took the two other plane rides everybody seemed to bond with each other. And finally we arrived in Fond Du Lac, the scenery here is simply beautiful and I am very sad that we leave tomorrow because I feel as if I could live the rest of my life here, only if all of the other exchange students from Banting stayed as well. This trip would not have been the same without them.

Most of us didn't really know each other that well. To break the ice between everybody, we had many bonding moments while learning from the Dene first nations that live here. We also bonded by having tickle fights, some may say this is nonsense, I call it shenanigans (inside joke). We had movie nights that lasted to one in the morning and although a few people watched the movie, those people I bonded with greatly. When it was too late to watch a movie, another person and I weren't tired so we got up and had a very late night conversation. I bonded with this person greatly and I can say she was my best friend on this trip (you know who you are).

On this trip we learned how to fillet fish, set traps, and even learned to like the taste of caribou ribs, tongue, and brain. This was so much fun some people were even trying brain and tongue, I know I wasn't one of them. But I can say although I didn't try that food, I tried many others.

We even got to go to a Dene church service which was spiritual beyond belief. When walking into the church everyone broke out into song and it was like a blast of air when walking through the church doors. It was simply amazing to the point where some exchange students were teared up. That was an amazing experience where we had the opportunity of learning about the spiritual culture of the Dene people.

This is only one half of our adventure and it was amazing. I hope we have an amazing second half of this adventure when the Fond Du Lac exchange students come to Banting.