Global Fieldtrip Nights: Stories and Photos Beyond the Blog!


The night we came home from the airport, the conversation went something like this:

Screen Shot 2015-09-12 at 3.46.24 PM
Our return to Toronto – Papou Steve is happy to have us home safe and sound!

Katina: “It will be nice to relax at your place”

Mom: “Of course it will be relaxing, but we also wanted to do a small family gathering tomorrow….”

Well for all my ethnic friends out there, you know what a small gathering means:) Of course, it was a great way to see everyone as the house and yard were filled with aunts, uncles and cousins we hadn’t seen all year. There were new babies to kiss and stories to share…a lot happens in a year:) The theme of the party was an international one, so of course we dressed up in our saris and dirndls to show them off!

Welcome home party! Baba Jenny, Thomas and Katherine ready to party!
Welcome home party! Baba Jenny, Thomas and Katherine ready to party!

A few days later, the girls were invited to share their trip at their school (MLCP) with some of their friends and parents. They did a great job presenting a few of the things we had done. I was very proud of them as they created the slideshow on their own and did a super job (their last project of the trip!). It was also very kind of the school to give us such a warm welcome home:)

The following week, our neighbours had a great party to welcome us back, (I love our street and community!). It was a true potluck so people just brought whatever they wanted and it turned out perfectly with a great variety of delicious eats. Of course, we brought the Nanaimo bars!

After dinner, once again the girls presented their slideshow and shared some of our stories for the remainder of the evening. It was a great way to relive some of our fun.

It was during these slideshow presentations that an idea started to percolate.   We have been subscribers to National Geographic Live for the past few years and really enjoy going to listen to photo journalists talk about their photos and adventures. Oliver has taken more than 30 000 photos over the course of the year and some of them are beyond belief! We have only published a few with our website and thought perhaps it would be fun to share more of them through a night similar to National Geographic.

From this train of thought, we have now decided to do monthly Global Fieldtrip nights to relive our trip. Each night will be dedicated to a certain part of the world. We will share our photos/slideshow, souvenirs and of course, the food from the area, (are you willing to be taste testers – we’re planning to publish an international recipe book?)

All are welcome to attend….we only ask for an RSVP so we have numbers for food. People can come to all of them, or whichever places interest them…totally open. Families with kids are encouraged to come and see what we did, and most certainly, our international friends are highly welcomed too!

Here is our proposed schedule for the year:

Global Fieldtrip Nights – The Stories and Photos Beyond the Blog

Sat. Sept. 26th, 2015 – Uplifting United Kingdom! – Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland

Sat. Oct. 24th, 2015 – Engaging Europe! – France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland

Sat. Nov. 28th, 2015 – Magnificent Mediterranean! – Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey

Fri. Dec. 18th, 2015 – Holiday Highlights! – Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Cyprus

Sat. Jan 23rd, 2016 – Amazing Africa! – Morocco and Tanzania

Sat. Feb. 20th, 2016 – Incredible India! – India (it’s a massive country!)

Sat. March 19th, 2016 – Super South East Asia! – Viet Nam, Thailand and Cambodia

Sat. April 16th, 2016 – Charming China! – China and Hong Kong

Sat. May 28st, 2016 – Back to the First World! – Australia, Hawaii, Alaska, British Columbia (Canada) and LA

Sat. June 18th, 2016 – Stunning South America! – Ecuador and Peru

Please let us know if you’ll be joining us for our Global Fieldtrip Nights- Stories and Photos Beyond the Blog! We would love to see you!

 

 


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22 responses to “Global Fieldtrip Nights: Stories and Photos Beyond the Blog!”

  1. Wow! Welcome home! What a journey you have all had! It has been incredible reading about your adventures! I hope your daughters have been settling well to life in a different classroom, and I hope things at home have been going well for you too!

    1. Hi Joyce,

      Great to hear from you! I hope you have had a smooth September start up. We can’t say the same thing for our family….it will take some time to adjust to the schedules and new routines….but we will make it:)

      Thanks for being part of our journey!
      Kat:)

  2. Sure Family Katina & Co,
    We want (Jossya & me) be TASTE TESTERS of all your experiences!!
    We are ready in Montreuil- Paris !!!
    Happy Week!! & Love from
    Jossya & Louise

    1. Bonjour Louise and Jossya,

      You are welcome to join us any time! Next month, we will focus on French foods….it would be great if you could help us prepare some crepes like the ones we tried at the “Princess Creperie”!

      We could offer to send you some samples in the mail – but I don’t think it would taste very good!!! Perhaps a 3D printer would help us!

      Cheers,
      Katina:)

  3. i am making it to all the nights. The inspector needs to be there…. :p

    1. Yes Mr. Inspector,

      We await your visit and evaluations:)

      Cheers,
      Kat and the gang:)

  4. That is a very cool idea, we would love to join you, I will compare your schedule to ours (they promise I will get the hockey schedule soon(ish)….)….I will flip oyu a note and find out what we can bring when we sort it out!

    1. Hi Nicole,

      We would love to see you here with the kids. Let us know if it works out! If not this one…then for sure the next one!

      Cheers,
      Kat:)

  5. Would love to come and watch your adventures. I will be available most nights but will definitely miss the October 24th as I will be on a 21 day transatlantic cruise at that time.
    Looking forward to these presentations.
    The girls did a great job at the last presentation. Very informative and enjoying.

    1. HI Karen,

      So glad you will be able to join us….as for missing because you are on a cruise….well of course that is acceptable!! We look forward to hearing about your adventures too!

      Cheers,
      Kat:)

  6. Hi, Katina and Global field trippers, This is a wonderful idea. Count us in. It will be great to see and hear more about your amazing trip.

    1. Yeah Oma and Opa!

      We will see you then!!

      Cheers,
      Kat and the gang:)

  7. Hi Kat,

    Can’t wait to attend all events! Love Mom

    1. We will see you there for sure!
      K:)

  8. RAVI PULIANI Avatar
    RAVI PULIANI

    Hi Oliver and the gang,

    Thank you for the dates and the open invite. So, now, we know, when to drop in. I am particularly elated that India gets an exclusive day. Suggestion: a grand finale (International night) in July on Mikhaila’s birthday, I hope I remember it right. How can we forget the itineraries of Zoe planning our Canada visit. Definitely, she will be our tour planner and Mikhaila, the event manager, whenever we decide to visit Canada. The girls have tremendous capabilities, thanks to the parenting.

    It is always nice to read your blogs, it is like being together again.

    All the best
    RAVI & ANJU

    1. HI Ravi,

      We love the idea of the big finale for Mik’s birthday – hope you will join us then, if not on our India night. Perhaps we can skype you in for some local commentary! That would be fun!!

      Cheers and take care,
      Kat:)

  9. Thanks for the open invitation; unfortunately Belgium is a bit too far away, otherwise I would love to join at least one of these interesting evenings.
    This weekend we had our flowerparade again; this year Guy was the designer for our neigbourhood; so absolutely busy this time; part of our design was made at our place in the newbuild garage 🙂
    Hope you enjoy all the planned evenings, and more that your guests get overwhelmed 🙂
    Take care !
    friendly greetings,
    Ingrid

    1. HI INgrid,

      Sorry you can’t join us – it would be great if you could come for the Belgium night!!! Could you post the link for this year’s flowerparade – we would love to see the entries and winners!!!

      Take care,
      Kat:)

  10. Excellent idea! Can’t wait! We’ll come! Beverley & Chen

    1. Super! We look forward to seeing you there!

      Cheers,
      Kat:)

  11. Count us in too. Just let us know about what time and what we can bring.

    1. Great – looking forward to seeing you all next weekend! Oliver will send out the details very soon!

      Cheers,
      Kat:)

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