In 2002, my younger sister Emily, participated in a student exchange program. My parents had a grade 12 student from Germany stay with them for 3 months, then Emily had the opportunity to spend time with her family abroad. Although I didn't live at home at the time, Greg and I still got to know her.
Greg and I have always loved the mountains and thought it would be such a shame for Katrin, the exchange student, to come all the way to Alberta and not see the Rockies. We invited Emily and Kat to come with us on a trip to Waterton Lakes National Park. Emily didn't take us up on the offer but Kat did so off we went. We stayed with Greg's parents in Magrath and spent a day in Waterton, did a small hike up Bear's Hump Mountain and showed her around.
Greg and I have always loved the mountains and thought it would be such a shame for Katrin, the exchange student, to come all the way to Alberta and not see the Rockies. We invited Emily and Kat to come with us on a trip to Waterton Lakes National Park. Emily didn't take us up on the offer but Kat did so off we went. We stayed with Greg's parents in Magrath and spent a day in Waterton, did a small hike up Bear's Hump Mountain and showed her around.
We had lots of fun. We had to stop on the highway close to Mountainview to let a heard of cattle cross, unfortunately I didn't get my camera out quickly enough. Katrin was making us nervous as we felt she was getting to close to the deer. Good grief, we were afraid of deer. Sorry Kat.
For Greg's birthday he has always requested German Chocolate cake. Katrin couldn't believe what we considered to be "German Chocolate cake" and phoned her mom and got the "real" recipe. I wish I could have found the picture of the cake she made for him for his birthday. It was delicious.
We went out to dinner with Kat and even took her and Emily bowling. This was 2002 and up until then had not heard from her until now. Katrin is now an adult in the midst of studies in medical school. I was so excited to here from her as Greg and I had just been talking about her last week. What an opportunity to do such an exchange. I only wish I could have been so lucky to participate in one while I was young. Instead I will have to settle to spend my own hard earned money to travel and observe other cultures, instead of being immersed in them. Great to get to meet you Kat! ( I never did learn how to say Katrin properly, although I couldn't hear the difference) so Greg coined her Katrizzle.
That's nice Mary - it was so nice to hear from Kat after all this time. Hopefully we'll keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteI didn't hear from her :-(
ReplyDeleteWho's the party sister?
ReplyDeleteHey, I remember Kat! She was cool.
ReplyDeleteGuys, you are sooooo nice =) Thanks for that wonderful memories about the funny trip ;) Can't forget it... You are so cute, Mary!! And if you want to get to know the German/European culture closer, you are always welcome to sty with me... Then its not that expensive as staying at the hotel or hostel, and you could get fresh selfmade bread (which my boyfriend always bakes) and some other stuff (and German chocolate cake, of course, specially greg..) :)
ReplyDeleteSo come over... Do an senior exchange ;-) hehe ;-)
Well, lots of love!!
=) KAT