Military Tour
December 1st, 2008
Hey, guys!!!!
We're back!! Where were we, you may ask? Well, for anyone who was not aware that Mitch and I were even gone, we are home now from being in Egypt and to Bosnia!
Our trip started out on November 12th (my sister Tina's birthday) where we flew out to Frankfurt, Germany then to Munich, Germany and finally Sarajevo, Bosnia after over 11 hours of flying! Why were we going there? Well, to play as a part of a show performing for the Canadian military, of course! This was a real thrill for me because I've done a tour like this before up to the North Pole at a military base called Alert. This time was much different where Alert was a military station with no threat of having any bombs being tossed your way as opposed to Sarajevo which, as some of you may know, had a war in the early 90's and is a war-torn city that still has some hostility left in it. The NATO and UN forces are there to oversee the tension that still exists there and Canada's part is necessary. On a base of about 1500, the Canadians are few but when they put on a party, EVERYONE comes out! |
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A rocking show was put on with performances by Taylor James (Vancouver singer/songwriter), Deanna Johnston (Rockstar INXS), Patricia Conroy (Canadian country goddess!), Atlantic Crossing which was made up of musical geniuses Marc Lafrance, Brent Howard, Mick Dellavee and Ian Cameron and finally my, now, good buddy, comedian Terry McGurrin. I implore you to go onto Youtube, Myspace, Facebook and any search engine and find something on the internet of these people. They are all amazing. Terry is one of the most naturally funny people I have ever met... other than me! I'd give up my liver for him... and almost did!
The crazy thing about this stop in Sarajevo was that you could smell the scariness in the air. The people were great in this middle European town, that is still much like a powder-keg that could go off again at any moment, but you could see in their eyes all they have been through in their years there. The first thing we were told when we had our briefing upon arrival was to NOT go on ANY grass! Mowed or un-mowed, especially the latter, as the country is LITTERED with active land mines. What a thought. Not being able to send your kids out to play in the yard because of a threat like that which could take their lives! Hard to imagine. There is so much to tell about this trip but I'll have to see you face to face to tell you more stories and show you how it has really affected me.
4 days later saw us heading to the Sarajevo airport to catch a flight to Vienna, Austria (where Mitch and Terry wouldn't stop yodeling, especially after 5 Ottakringer beer!) then back to Frankfurt and a quick turnaround to catch our 4 and a half hour flight to Cairo, Egypt! Whoever thought that my first trip overseas ever would be to Sarajevo and Cairo??? This is a MASSIVE city! I had no idea just how big it was! It's over 24 million people. When we were in Trenton, Ontario for rehearsals our military liaison, Mark Larose, gave us the good news that we had to have a layover day in Cairo!! |
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| A whole 24 hours of sightseeing and not only that but he set up excursions to the pyramids in Giza! I have to tell you, this blew me away. I did a report when I was in Grade 7 about the pyramids and pharaohs so this was to be a complete thrill of a lifetime! |
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By the time we drove through an hour of traffic, which in itself is something to behold, stopped to take pictures of the Nile, went to the pyramids, went on a camel ride, went to this amazing, nighttime market and had a meal, I was beat. It was one of the most emotionally draining days I have ever had. I had enough energy to eat a bite, basically crawl to my room and inch into bed before falling into a deep sleep for, what felt like 5 minutes was actually 9 hours. Unbelievable to say the least and to be quite honest, I have no need to go back there again and will travel to many other places before I do but this was an experience that you only get once in your life so I'm glad I did it. |
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| Our purpose for going to Egypt was to entertain the military that is based about 5 hours Northeast of Cairo at a base called the MFO which stands for Multinational Force and Observers whom watch over the border of Egypt and Israel which was 15 km's away. The Canadians that are there have a “Canada House” which they call “The Beaver Lodge”, appropriately named after the Red Green show, where we were brought when we first arrived. After being briefed by the Commander, we were shown our rooms, got comfy and asked back to the Beaver Lodge where we were welcomed more in a Canadian manor... beer and darts!!! |
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What a blast all these folks were in Sarajevo and Egypt, and what a job they do protecting the rights of humans worldwide. Thank you from all us Canadians for doing the job that so many of us could only imagine. You are extremely brave and should be very proud of yourselves.
Please check out the pictures when they are posted and if there are any questions then please email the site and I will answer them when possible!
From myself and the band, we can’t wait to get back on the road and do what we love doing and that is to perform for those who love to listen! See you soon!
Aaron |
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