Return of our Kiwi Visitor
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Jamie Tripp was proud to introduce his 'Rotary Daughter', Tracey Parke. He and Leslie had felt this was the first year they could accept another into their home and they have been delighted to get to know her. She has been wonderful with the kids, given Jamie and Leslie a different perspective on how young people think and have given them some confidence to face the teenage years of their own kids.
Tracey said she had had some reservations about the trip, being nervous about leaving family and friends but the whole year had been the most fun and had gone so quickly she was now sorry to leave here. Barry and Cindy had met her off the plane and had made her feel at home, even to making sure her birthday was celebrated soon after her arrival.
She thinks there are several things about Canada that should be exported to NZ. Thanksgiving is great, pumpkin pie is better but swimming in October should maybe be reconsidered. Hallowe'en is another terrific holiday - lots of candy! And Tim Horton's has another convert in Tracey.
She waxed enthusiastic about all the places she had been - Quebec, Calgary, Whistler, the prairies, Wa Wa and Sudbury. The big nickel and a very deep mine made quite an impression.
The Cross Country trip was a highlight and she certainly made lots of friends. Snow in Whistler in July and climbing the 'Big Chief' in Squamish (one of only two of the 94 students to make it) were featured.
She had been favourably impressed by the size of the mall in Barrie, till she got to West Edmonton Mall - sort of a test of the theory of relativity.
She had a lot of respect for the bus drivers on the tour who lived to tell the tale. Everybody got an award and Tracey is the proud possessor of the 'Most Typical Tourist' trophy because she always had her camera to hand and was ready to see anything.
She said again that it had been a wonderful experience and that it had gone far too quickly and went on to thank the Club for the opportunity, for the memories and for the welcome she had been afforded.
Barry thanked Tracey for her talk and for her enthusiastic presence over the year. He and Cindy were also first time host families and she had been so comfortable to be with and easy to get along with that they were keen to do it again.
Tracey will be here for a few more weeks and there is still time to include her in some event. Think about it.
She thinks there are several things about Canada that should be exported to NZ. Thanksgiving is great, pumpkin pie is better but swimming in October should maybe be reconsidered. Hallowe'en is another terrific holiday - lots of candy! And Tim Horton's has another convert in Tracey.
She waxed enthusiastic about all the places she had been - Quebec, Calgary, Whistler, the prairies, Wa Wa and Sudbury. The big nickel and a very deep mine made quite an impression.
The Cross Country trip was a highlight and she certainly made lots of friends. Snow in Whistler in July and climbing the 'Big Chief' in Squamish (one of only two of the 94 students to make it) were featured.
She had been favourably impressed by the size of the mall in Barrie, till she got to West Edmonton Mall - sort of a test of the theory of relativity.
She had a lot of respect for the bus drivers on the tour who lived to tell the tale. Everybody got an award and Tracey is the proud possessor of the 'Most Typical Tourist' trophy because she always had her camera to hand and was ready to see anything.
She said again that it had been a wonderful experience and that it had gone far too quickly and went on to thank the Club for the opportunity, for the memories and for the welcome she had been afforded.
Barry thanked Tracey for her talk and for her enthusiastic presence over the year. He and Cindy were also first time host families and she had been so comfortable to be with and easy to get along with that they were keen to do it again.
Tracey will be here for a few more weeks and there is still time to include her in some event. Think about it.