Day 13 - March 31, 2014

Day 13 was the long trip home.  I think that most of us would agree that the trip has been great, but it is time to come home.  We have seen and done so much over the last 2 weeks, but work and school can't be avoided forever.  It was time to say goodbye to Hotel Glo, which was once again a great place to stay in the center of Helsinki.

Our day started bright and early with the buses being loaded at the hotel a little after 4:00 am.  This meant that most of the group were actually up between 3:00 - 3:30 am getting ready.  Next was a short ride to Helsinki's International airport which was surprisingly busy that early in the morning.  There was a bit of a wait to check luggage, but after that - security was quick.  The flight from Helsinki to Frankfurt was a little over 2 hours.  Before leaving Helsinki, we said goodbye to the Buzzings who were off to Scotland, and Leslie who was taking a different flight home.  Our group was starting to break up, the trip was ending.

Once in Frankfurt, Germany, Sting had now entered four, and in some cases five, countries on this trip.  Pretty amazing.  We had a roughly 4 ½ hour layover (including delay) before boarding our Air Canada Boeing 777 for the long direct flight back to Calgary.  Our flight made up the lost time and we landed in Calgary on time at 3:20pm.  Everyone moved through customs smoothly and all that was left was a few goodbyes and dividing up the sticks from the stick bag.  After heading North on Hwy 2, most of us were home between 6:00pm and 7:00pm.  This equated to a full 24 hour day of straight travel.  It was certainly an early night to bed.

My Final Observations:

• We were not excited to see the minus temperatures and snow upon getting back.  Not sure what everyone was doing while we were away, but ushering in spring (kevat in Finnish) would have been a nice idea.
• People often refer to Disneyland as the happiest place on earth.  Not true.  Trying being on a bus with 21 girls between the ages of 14 and 17 at 4:00 in the morning after 12 days on the road.  Words cannot truly express what a cheerful experience that was.  So many smiles.
• I am amazed at how well the trip worked out.  Taking 60 people through 4 countries in 13 days, with 10 ringette games and 10 billet families is a landmine of circumstance - but we navigated through it - as a team.  In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined a trip that was so safe for everyone, with no issues, perfect hosts, and two Sting teams that both went undefeated.  Wow!
• To pull off this huge task, there are several acknowledgements that need to go out.  If I forget anyone, I truly do apologize.
• To all of our blog followers and supporters.  In 13 days we had over 7000 hits on this website from 10 countries.  Thanks for following.  It was fun.
• To the larger Sting family for the support and assistance as we fundraised and planned this trip over the last 2 years.  
• To Troy Pollitt who actually let Lee wear his buckle.  That was a leap of faith.
• To all of our corporate sponsors.  Thank-you for believing in, and supporting the dreams of our girls to travel, and play the sport that they love on the other side of the world.  The very first post of this blog lists all of our corporate sponsors, and I encourage all of our readers to support these businesses.
• To the Swedes, and Ms. Walfridson in particular, for your hospitality and competition in Sweden.
• To the Finns who once again are the best hosts in the world.  Jari Kauppinen put more time and energy into this trip than most of our parents and girls will ever know.  Thanks Jari!  And thanks to the host families, ringette associations and the Blue Rings team for all of your support.
• To our fundraising committee.  It seems like forever ago  - but so much time and energy went into making sure we had the funds available for this trip.  Your efforts and hard work have not been forgotten.
• To the Coaches.  Jackie, Traci, Lee and Chad for donating your time abroad for the betterment of your respective teams.
• To the Chad, Lee and Greg who worked behind the scenes taking care of the never ending day-to-day small issues before they became big issues.
• To Heather who, again behind the scenes, managed many of the larger planning and logistical obstacles before they appeared on anyone else's radar.
• To Gavin Kanngeisser who, without complaint, carried everyone's sticks around the world so that no one else would have to worry about them.  
• To all of our parents.  The energy, time and commitment leading up to, and during, this trip made a positive experience for 21 girls that they will always remember.  Our parent group worked as much like a team on this trip as any that I have seen, and someone was always willing to step up and help.  Thanks parents!
• To our girls.  They were respectful and responsible in all of their actions.  Every time that I heard a "please", "thank-you", or "I'm sorry", on this trip - it was those darned polite Canadian girls.   I want the girls to always remember that when anyone tells you how lucky you are to have gone on a trip like this - look them in the eyes and tell them it wasn't luck.  You earned it!  Through the hard work of the girls and their families - all 21 girls had their entire trips paid for.  Pretty amazing.
• Last, but certainly not least, we need to send a huge thank you out to Jackie.  I cannot imagine the time she spent making sure that this trip was delivered seamlessly.  Many late nights making bookings on the other side of the world.  All of her services were free and volunteered.  All of the transfers, hotels and even small items were taken care of so that no one else needed to worry.  Thanks Jack!  And I hope that when anyone books a trip, they book through Jackie Lunn at TravelOnly.  She is awesome.