City Tours in Maine

Augusta, Maine

The State Capital

The day started a bit chilly with a dusting of snow and a frosty fog. But considering how Maine USUALLY is this time of year, we were'nt too put off. We met at Cheverus to get on the bus for the trip to Augusta. A few other students, not host siblings, went with us.

We arrived at the Capitol building from the back and took photos in front of the State Seal (emblem). At the top is the North Star with the motto: "Dirigo" - which in Latin means "I lead". This refers to the historical tradition of "As goes Maine, so goes the Nation" (which doesn't usually hold true).

In the Capitol, we went to the House of Representatives which was in session and awaited the introduction of "the Student Delegates from Santiago, Chile who are in the balcony." There were also there a huge number of Maine bankers, as well as other visitors.

While waiting for further tours, and our students were very patient, we had a chance to take photos in the Hall of Flags. From there we had a chance to visit with the Secretary of State in the Governor's Cabinet room. Governor Baldacci was out of town on official business that day. After a loooong awaited lunch, the students got a quick visit to the State of Maine Museum.

It was a long travel day for everyone, and when we returned to Cheverus we had some quick pizza and soda before a great presentation by the group "Vertical". The speaker is originally from Chile, but now resides in the U.S. He has climbed Mount Everest, K2, and other major mountains. He spoke to the group about team work and organization and leadership. Amongst the three schools, CPH-CJA, McAuley, and Cheverus, we are working toward an internet project for leadership in the world through young people! This is just the beginning!

Thank You's and Goodbyes at McAuley

Four our last class day having the Chileans with us in school, they came to the Spanish Classes and just TALKED - sharing ideas, thoughts, feelings - (trying to do so in Spanish, but of course, it often became a bi-lingual situation .. which is still great!) The Chileans also got to check in with who would be coming to visit them this coming August in Santiago.

As a special thanks to the School Administration and the Host Siblings and some special teachers, the Chileans made Torta de Manjar - which is a greatly popular dessert in Chile. It's made with mil feuille (thousand layer) pastry and "manjar" ... a specialty from Chile which is similar to a caramel flavor but about the thickness of hot fudge syrup when it's cold. The students LOVE it! Those who had been to Chile last summer said it SO reminded them of being there... and I have to agree. (Notice the photo of Natalie enjoying every last morsel!)

Sister Edward Mary had an assembly to give everyone the opportunity to say "good-bye". She gave each Chilean student and Miss Carmen lovely wooden cut-outs that are hand-painted in the image of Catherine McAuley High School. It was an emotional time for many.



Memories - Looking Back

Tonight is the GOING AWAY PARTY for our wonderful Chilean visitors. They fly out of Portland airport on Tuesday, April 18th. From here they go to visit New York City, Washington,D.C., and Miami, to round out their trip to the United States, before they take the last plane home to Santiago. It has been an amazing and very-full-of-experiences month.

Photos and last thoughts from the Despedida and the Airport will be sent as soon as possible. I apologize for not getting this entry written in Spanish as well as English. Also I will put up an entry about the Sea Dogs game earlier this week ... sorry that some things are slightly out of chronological order. Memories often move around and get jumbled anyway ...