Is it all memorized yet? ——— can you “line dance” ?

Please find attached the FINAL ITINERARY & SCHEDULE FOR THE “CHINA TOUR 2008″ !

Hard copies of this itinerary, baggage tags, e-tickets, and ID Badge have arrived in Edmonton with Don Lowry

will be handed out at Tuesday’s practice (all but the tickets/ My Wife will keep them!)

Please feel free to print a copy for your use or wait till Tuesday.

However, please do look at the itinerary

and please pay close attention to the following:

* We are traveling using TRAINS, PLANES, AUTOBUS, & FEET (have good walking shoes)
* How’s your Line Dancing? We have been asked to lead “The Chinese Students/Community” in a Line Dance on June 29! Lois & Jody Greenough are “up for it” and we will have a quick rehearsal on Tuesday as well! [Practice begins at 7:00 PM, officially ends at 9:30 PM (usually 9) but I'm sure we will need the time this week]
* The itinerary shows us attending the Chinese Opera; this may be out now as we have just been informed that we are performing at the BC Canadian Pavilion in Beijing at this time, a Canada Day Feature!
* July 1st is NO LONGER — TBA! (upside is we can sleep in and possibly do some additional tourist type activity) We are playing for Canadian Embassy & BC/Canada Pavilion Staff and Invited Guests
* Please checkout the back pages of “frequently asked questions”
o ESPECIALLY MAKE NOTE OF:
+ How do I Dress? [I believe "business casual" means: no short shorts/spaghetti straps/tummies showing! And equals: "long shorts and or skirts. Shirts with collars probably (think Golf Course)]
* I believe you do not need to Over Do this suggestion, however, have at least one outfit that will comply.
+ Drink Supplied with Meals
* In Canada we are used to unlimited “beverage/water” with our meals; here, as in many parts of the world you may be required to pay for “extra”!
* Your ration of bottled water is “one per day” as part of the tour package; be prepared to pay for any additional beverages
+ Chinese Customs
* Read and Take Heed!
* Always have an open mind.
* ALWAYS HAVE AN OPEN MIND
* Tell Me or another Executive Member of problems/concerns/complaints!
+ Credit Cards & Money!
* you can basically disregard this section as we WILL USE THE BUS BANKER!
* if persons do wish to use (try to use) credit cards/debit cards, it is totally up to your own “risks” and only when time permits
* WE WILL NOT STOP FOR ANYONE TO USE CASH MACHINES, CASH TRAVELER CHEQUES, ETC. (only the bus banker will have opportunity to visit a bank)
* SOMEONE SAID EARLIER !!!!!!!!!!!!! MOST IMPORTANT, — “KEEP YOUR ATTITUDE BEHIND” — AND WE ARE NOT TALKING STRICTLY ABOUT “YOUTH”; IN FACT, MANY TIMES IT IS THE “SENIOR MEMBERS” OF THE GROUP THAT NEED TO BE MORE “FLEXIBLE” AND “OPEN MINDED”.

See you Tuesday! ——– Important? ———- YOU BET !!!!!!!!!! ————–

MUST ATTEND UNLESS YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY CLEARED IT WITH ME!

grande-prairie-tour-booklet

Please find below some new information about our fast approaching trip. There has been a few interesting changes and additions so please take the time to read both Mike’s comments below and the attachment from out tour arranger. My wife was very pleased to see the shopping schedule – (Ray- I think I need to rearrange our bus banker money! I know there are a few others who have demonstrated their extreme shopping skills on previous trips).
Just for your information 1.00 CNY(Chinese yuan) = 0.147982 CAD or to make it easier – almost 7 yuan to one Canadian dollar.

As Mike has alluded to in his comments below, it is vital that we have the show music memorized. Take a few minutes each evening before we go and you should be able to do it. Remember that we are representing our Country, Province and our City so we want to sound and look our best!

For those of you that are new to travelling with the band – please remember that you are not in control of the travel – you are a member of the group. If your assistance is needed we will ask for it – we know you are trying to help but Mike, myself and Glenn have done this many times and if there are problems it is easier for us to deal with if we are not constantly being bombarded with questions. We will pass on new information as soon as we are able to.

Also, meeting time is not an approximation. If we advise to meet at 7:00 a.m. then please be there by then. There is nothing worse than having one person holding up the entire group. Please do not be that person!

My one huge request is that you PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR UNIFORM IS PACKED! Parents/spouses please double check that this is done. Our last trip to Brazil had one of our students forget his pants – fortunately we were able to get one made for him but believe me this is costly and it is not something you want to have to do. With our first major performance the day after we get to China there will not be time for anything like this!

And finally, don’t forget your passport – it is the most important document you will have while we travel. Once we are on our way we will collect all of the passports and keep them safe until they are needed again. This method has proven to be the best to ensure that no-one ends up with a major problem – a lost passport.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE TRIP – FROM BOTH A MUSICAL AND A TOURIST/EDUCATIONAL VIEW. THIS WILL BE THE BEST TRIP TO DATE SO GET READY FOR A BUSY, FUN AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCE!

At my wife’s request I have also attached the book list.

Enjoy your weekend and we will see you all on Tuesday!!

book-list

Rod

The only extra money that a participant in the tour needs to bring is for snacks and for purchasing souvenirs.  Meals, hotels, and all events we participate in are covered under the tour payment you have made.

On Wednesday May 28, our Bus Banker, Ray McComb handed out the information above regarding deadlines for providing him with information on how much spending money you or your child will be taking, as well as when the payment needs to be made to him.  For those who have missed this information, I have attached here  (bus-banker-2008).  For anyone under the age of 18 travelling on this trip, this is not an option.  You must use the Bus Banker for your spending money (unless you are one of those who have a parent on the trip as well).  For the adults, we have found that this is by far the best method for bringing along spending money as there is usually not time to allow people to go to a bank to cash travelers cheques on an individual basis.  As well, it is usually less expensive from the service charge perspective to just have one person doing this.  We make arrangements for the Bus Banker to keep sufficient cash on hand to meet the needs of the members.  On occasion, he will limit the amounts if he has not been able to get to a bank but this is rare and usually only for a short period of time.

If you have any questions regarding the Bus Banker process, please email me and I will do my best to answer them.  Payments can be made anytime to Ray up until the deadline noted in the information letter.   While cash is preferable (receipts will be given), cheques are also fine and can be made payable to the Grande Prairie Marching Band.  Please indicate on the cheque who the spending money is for.

Luggage

Just to clarify with everyone as there was a little confusion when we discussed this at the last practice:  As part of your tour cost, the band provides a wheeled duffel bag and backpack which is to be used for the trip.  This is not an option.  These are the only luggage items that will be allowed.  The backpack and duffel are currently being embroidered with the Marching Band logo and your individual bag number.  Everyone has been assigned a bag number (it is the one that is on your garment bag).  (Chaperones have also been assigned bag numbers).  This makes for easy identification at the airport, and also a much easier time packing the buses as all bags are the same size.  This also ensures that everyone has exactly the same amount of room and all things are equal.  Please remember that Air Canada has a maximum weight allowance of 50 lbs for checked in luggage.  Leave yourself some room for souvenirs coming home.  The duffel bags are as close to the maximum allowable size that we could find.  Also, your uniform and garment bag have to be put inside your duffel for the flights there and back.  It is best to take them out of the garment bag and pack them individually to conserve space. Please do not forget any part of your uniform! There will be additional packing information provided as we get closer to departure time.

Backpacks, Duffel Bags and the remaining Tour Jackets should be distributed by the June 11 practice providing our embroidery man doesn’t get behind.

Flight Schedule

Here is the flight schedule for the trip:

June 26                 6:00 am                Depart Grande Prairie                    AC8360

June 26                 7:07 am                Arrive Edmonton

June 26                 8:00 am                Depart Edmonton                            AC237

June 26                 8:34 am                Arrive Vancouver                                             (The arrival time seems a little short – will check this)

June 26                 12:00 pm              Depart Vancouver                           AC29

June 27                 2:20 pm                Arrive Beijing

July 13                   3:45 pm                Depart Shanghai                               AC38

July 13                   11:45 am              Arrive Vancouver

July 13                   1:50 pm                Depart Vancouver                           AC242

July 13                   4:19 pm                Arrive Edmonton

July 13                   5:10 pm                Depart Edmonton                            AC8367

July 13                   6:20 pm                Arrive Grande Prairie

Tour Brochures

The Tour Brochures are now printed and ready for distribution.  For those who sold advertisements, we will be mailing the copies and a receipt along with our thanks to the companies.  Anyone who would like copies of the brochure can pick a couple up at practice.  Thank you again to all of those who solicited advertisements on our behalf.  This was a very successful project, raising approximately $4000 for the band.

Metal Fundraiser

The numbers from the Metal Fundraiser are also in:

We collected 88 batteries, 16 car bodies, 150 lbs of copper, 168 lbs of aluminum and 42 tones of miscellaneous metal for a total of $3030.44.  Thank you to all who participated and donated to this fundraiser.  Points will be updated on the web shortly.

JoAnn

What I would ask is that you respond to me as to whether you would be:  1. willing to participate,  2. would rather not but would help out if the group decided to proceed with it  or 3. I am unable to participate that weekend/have had enough of fundraising for now.

Could you please reply to me by Monday evening.

Thanks

Rod

I have just received an email this morning from our travel agents who advise that they have found a way to obtain the group Visa.  We do not have to proceed with the individual application process!

I wish to thank all of you who have completed the documents and provided them to me last night.  I apologize for wasting your time with this.  Our agent also apologizes as they were initially advised that there were no exceptions for the group Visa but have only just been able to work it out.  I will return your passports and documentation to you on Wednesday.  Anyone wishing it sooner can contact me and we can make the arrangements.

Again you have my apologies.  See you next week.