| After the success of the initial
student trip in 1984, several students in Natchitoches and surrounding parishes
contacted us about doing a similar trip in 1985. We had such good luck
with Cultural Studies International that we decided to do the same exact itinerary
again, beginning in London (with another visit to the Tower), crossing the
channel to France for a visit to Paris, then on to Switzerland and Germany. |
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"The White Cliffs of Dover"
were a familiar sight to most student trips prior to the building of the Chunnel.
Two things stand out in my memory about every stop we ever made to Dover
to board the ferry to Calais. One, the wind was apparently always about
60 miles per hour; and two, someone in the group would invariably say, "They
really are white, aren't they." |
| Paris in the rain has become
such a familar sight over the years. A stop at the Place de la Concorde
is a must for every student tour to Europe. Watching a busload of
kids ignore the traffic signals as they dash from the bus to the Obelisk
causes the teachers to hide their eyes in fear. American students have
no idea that in Paris, pedestrians are legal targets. |
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There are certainly larger
cities in Switzerland and there are even more scenic cities, but Lucerne is
probably the most tourist-friendly in the country. A lakeside setting,
nearby mountains, reasonable accommodations, unlimited shopping, and folklore
evenings combine to help make Lucerne a regular stop on student tour itineraries. |
| Although Pilatus is the "optional"
mountaintop trip offered by most companies, CSI opted for trips to Mt. Titlis.
On this trip, Titlis was again one of the favorites of the whole group.
It is interesting now to look back at these pictures and see how much the
tourist facilities at the top of the mountain have expanded over the years. |
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On the final day of the trip,
the group poses on the grounds of the Heidelberg Castle. At this time,
Brenda and I had already made most of our plans for our first independent
trip to Europe that was to begin in just a couple of months. |