12/26/09 - ONE DAY UNTIL TAKEOFF
Everyone Pack! Tomorrow is the big day! Be sure to check your 'What to Pack" and "What NOT to Pack" list in the London Packets! A couple of tips for airport check-in:

1. Wear shoes that slip on and off. You will have to take them off to get through security.
2. No liquids in your carry-on. This should all be packed in your luggage. Remember, you cannot take food or drink past airport security. Leave it at home.
3. NO NONSENSE! - This is not the time to be playing around. Leave the nonsense behind and act professional. Airport security does NOT play games.

12/27-28/09 - TAKE OFF
WE'RE HERE!!

...and what a fantastic group of travelers we have. Many first time flyers and many new to a HUGE airport experience. We traveled like total pros and arrived safely at London's Heathrow airport with all 111 travelers. Security and customs were no problem and all baggage was claimed. We met our group leader, Bianca, at the end of the baggage pathway and she led us to our equipment vehicle and on to our buses.

Forty-five minutes later - we have traveled by double-decker luxury coach to our London Hotel. A quick unload and check-in and we were on our way to our rooms after an intense day of traveling. The rest of today was to relax and get used to London time. Some chose to go in chaperoned groups and explore the hotel block, others chose a hot shower and freshening before tonight's dinner at the hotel.

Dinner consisted of Baked Chicken, Pasta, Corn, Potatoes, Slaw, Bread, and all the fixings. Chocolate cake for desert. After a breif meeting information had been distributed and it was time to relax. As of 10:07pm (5:07 your time), all 111 students were in their rooms and many had already been sleeping for some time.

Again let me say, what a great group of travelers we have! I am thrilled to see what this week will bring for us. Pictures will post shortly as they become available. Until then, all is well in London. Tomorrow holds a great day of touring and a trip to a pub and Phantom of the Opera in Her Majesty's Theatre. Certainly promising to be a perfomance none will forget!

12/29/09 - TOURING LONDON & WINDSOR
The rain didn't put a damper on today! First thing this morning we loaded up on the motorcoaches for a quick drive to Windsor Castle. The countryside is beautiful and even in the rain we had a great time looking through the stunning Windsor Castle. We followed by a short time in the town of Windsor for a bite to eat.

The coaches then departed Windsor for our 4-hour on/off tour of London. We drove around every part of Central London, seeing the sights, Big Ben, Westminster Abby, a quick stop at Buckingham Palace, Harrods, Whitehall, another stop at St. Pauls Cathedral, the Tower of London, London Bridge, and Tower Bridge just to name a FEW. It simply is amazing.

After dinner at the Albert Pub, we traveled to Her Majesty's Theatre for Phantom of the Opera. It was breathtaking. A few tired eyes and bobbing heads in the audience, until the high notes anyway. It was simply amazing. Then it was back to the hotel for a good nights sleep (a few hours anyway).

12/30/09 - EXPLORING LONDON pt. 1
More rain today as we ventured out in groups to tour london by foot. Many chose to sightsee places such as St. Paul's Cathderal, Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abby, and the Brittish Museum. Others chose to tour such famous places as Harrod's and Selfridges for some upper end shopping.

A quick bite to eat at Covent Gardens, an covered, outdoor pavillion with excellent outdoor entertainment, even in the cold rain. Today many of us experinced life on the Underground, or tube as it's known in London. What an excellent way to get around the city, and FAST. Everyone did well once we got the hang of it.

The day ended with a evening at the Tower of London and a visit to the Crown Jewels. Absolutely stunning. Now back at the hotel, hopefully the rain will clear out for our road trip tomorrow.

12/31/09 - STRATFORD UPON AVON & OXFORD. THEN PARTY TIME!
A beautiful day greeted some tired travelers today with an early 6:00am wake up call. However, we did get to catch up on some sleep on the 2.5 hour bus ride to beautiful Stratford Upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespear. What a unique piece of history to get to actually walk through and see where this famous man was born so many years ago. Many 14th and 15th century houses and buildings look like something you would only see in history books, but we are standing right here where it happend. Its amazing!

After a few hours and a bite to eat, we gather back on our buses for a trip to Oxford. Not only are the gothic style buildings simply breathtaking, the town is charming and inviting. There were many heartbroken travelers today as we left the much loved Oxford, although we left with many more bags from shopping than we arrived with.

An hour and a half back to Central London where we gathered for dinner at the hotel or on Oxford Street (the shopping district outside our hotel), and then time to get all dressed up to bring in the new year. Our kids really know how to party! I don't think many left the dance floor all night long. What a great way to celebrate the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010. An early start tomorrow for the New Year's Day Parade. We've worked hard -- wish us luck!

oh ... and ... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

01/01/10 - HAPPY NEW YEAR! -- PARADE DAY
We couldn't have asked for a better day for a 2.2 mile parade! A few extra minutes of sleep surely helped as we loaded buses this morning for our appearance in the London New Year's Parade. After unloading, taking a group photo, and a quick sack lunch, we arrived at the staging area. There were bands everywhere circling the square where we lined up. The parade stepped of at 12:00n and after about a 45 minute wait, the Carter Band was marching down Picadilly Street with hundreds of thousands of spectators for the 2.2 mile journey to Big Ben and our international television debut. If you haven't yet seen the fantastic performance the Carter students put on, CLICK HERE. We were all very excited and the crowds cheering really helped us to feel great about our performance.

After the parade, we freshened up, and groups were allowed to spend the remainder of their New Years Day at their leisure. Most groups went to Picadilly Circus (the London version of Times Square) and visited shops and ate a bite while the others gathered for a trip to the London Eye for the birds eye view of what London has to offer.

One more day to explore sights tomorrow and we will be returning with all sorts of grand and glorious stories. See you soon!