It is hard to believe that Julian Kraus' stay with us is almost over.  This young,hockey-loving native of Germany, who is fluent in English, arrived in Canada ten months ago and he instantly made himself at home.  Julian was introduced by his current host, Rotarian Peter Smith, who was very happy to have had him stay with his family.  Peter was surpirsed  how much Julian loves food and would sometimes eat two dinners in the evening.  Julian was also hosted by Leigh-Ann and John Genereaux who also enjoyed having the young Bavarian stay with them.  They even ordered the Calgary Flames channel just so he could watch every game........his favourite hockey club.
 
Julian presented a slide show which was a trip down memory lane, all about his stay in the Quinte area.  Pictures showed him arriving in Canada and visiting Leigh-Ann's parents' farm, playing with the pets at Leigh-Anne's home and visiting their trailer.  Julian was fortunate enough to visit many attractions and interesting sites -- Canada's Wonderland, Trenton Airbase, Presquille, Lake on the Mountain, fishing, Ottawa, a road trip with John Cairns where they saved a goose, snowshoeing with Len Kennedy, Maple Leaf hockey game, a Raptors game at the Canada Center and the Rotary District Conference.
 
Julian attended Centennial High School where he excelled in sports such as hockey, soccer.  He also tried his hand at rugby.  The slide show continued with Christmas at the Smiths, where Santa gave him tons of Calgary Flames merchandise.  Winter in Belleville provided fun experiences like ice fishing, snowmobiling and pond hockey as well as a trip to Calgary.
 
Julian concluded his presentation explaining the differences between Germany and Canada
 
  • Canada has more trucks and SUV's
  • Buses and rail services are more plentiful in his country
  • the price of gas is half that of Germany
  • fast food everywhere, not so much in Germany
  • there are more levels of education in his country, even within the same grade
  • Canadians are very friendly
  • not true that Canada is always cold
  • not everyone loves hockey in Canada
  • different apps in Germany
  • Canadians do not eat maple syrup with everything
  • every sentence ends with "eh"
 
Family hosts Peter and Vicki Smith, Sam Brady Chair of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, Julian, Leigh-Ann and John Genereaux (thank you to all!)