THE DEPARTURE

Lionel and Alexis Danone, two renowned California tourists who had been asked by three high schools in the Los Angeles area to take a student from their school on a yearlong tour to find the seven cities of gold that were mentioned and discovered over 500 years ago, awaited the arrival of Ben Garrison of Malibu, Stephanie Raymond of Los Angeles, and Matthew McConnor of Burbank at a harbor in Los Angeles. The kids would have to write a brief summary of the historic landmarks they saw, what they learned about the cities of gold, and what the trip meant to them. They could hardly wait for the kids to arrive.

When Ben, Stephanie, and Matthew finally arrived, Lionel and Alexis greeted them, and before you knew it they were off sailing in the ship. Of course, Stephanie slept in a separate cabin from Ben and Matthew, but she hung out with the guys to get acquainted with them, since they'd be traveling a year together.

Ben looked at Stephanie's bracelet. It was shaped just like the sun. He wore one like it. The people who had given them their bracelets told them the bracelets had the power to open up the doors to the buildings of the cities of gold. "Look, Steph, we have the same kind of bracelet!" he exclaimed.

Stephanie studied Ben's top hat, striped shirt, and polka dot shorts. He looked like a real geek. Laughing, she said, "That looks like just about the only thing we have in common regarding fashion."

"Yeah, but we can both open up the doors to the cities of gold. That's one thing we have in common." Ben leaned toward her. "You know, Steph, the ocean's a scary place. Whales, sharks, possible storms---you need a REAL man to look after you."

"I'll see if I can find one," Stephanie snickered, walking away.

Matthew touched Ben's shoulder. "This is the first time a man who promised to be a dashing hero was rejected by the woman of his dreams!"

"Shut up!" snapped Ben. He closed his eyes a minute. "I will just put her out of my mind during this entire trip. This is a school assignment. I should just focus on that."

Lionel and Alexis in the captain's room on their ship. "Ah," said Alexis as she looked at the clear blue water, "what an exciting adventure this will be for the kids!"

Lionel nodded. "Learning about other parts of the world around them...a big adventure indeed."

TO FOLLOW...

The group visits the mission in San Juan Capistrano. Lionel and Alexis explain the mission to the children, and they feed the pigeons.