Ferin, Amanda and Ryan went into a grade 8 English class to do our first presentation. They did a great job. The students in the class didn't ask a lot of questions during the presentation, but the teacher reported to me that they asked a lot once our students left. They were fascinated that we would see so many bears and that the water that was in the presentation was the Pacific Ocean. Our three presenters shared how doing this, they realized that we all are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
It was great of these students to volunteer, as they had to stay back at IKG while the rest of the group went to the outdoor swimming pool for the rest of the morning. It was a warm morning, just right for enjoying this amazing facility (http://www.tuwass.de/freibad/index.htm).
Our afternoon was spent doing some geocaching, an activity led for us by a grade 8 student at the school. This involved a big hike up into the woods and hills above Tuttlingen. We were treated to a wide view of the valleys that feed into Tuttlingen, not to mention a wonderful surprise when we finally found the treasure. Turned out that a squirrel had made its home in the rock where the treasure was stored, and it was not very happy when Malcolm and Ferin disrupted it's Wednesday afternoon nap. Only one student got lost on the way home, but she was quickly found and now has a great story to tell and a newfound knowledge of the importance of sticking with a group :).
Some of us learned a new word today, "gesundheitszentrum." Kyren got to spend the end of his first day getting an examination and x-ray on his gently broken little toe. Though it is not a major break, it has slowed him down. His good cheer and positive outlook through the whole thing couldn't mask his disappointment that he would have to spend at least a few of his Tuttlingen days on crutches.
Thursday saw us meeting at IKG at 7:30 and then heading off to Strasburg, France. It was just a quick trip to the city. But, on the way, we stopped at the Volksbaunhaus, an open air museum showing life in the Black Forest. Our host, Verana, bought both of us teachers each a piece of real Black Forest cake - oh my it was tasty!
We hopped back on the bus and traveled over to France. In a day and age of secure borders and caution, it seems odd to cross from Germany to France with only a sign saying "France" to welcome us. Stasburg is a very old city with a very ornate and interesting cathedral and a deep history. The students had some time to explore the Market Square area before heading onto the Ille River for a torn of the city's extensive canal system. Though we had both an open-air boat and a rain shower . . . the tour was an interesting chance to see the connections between the deep history of Western Europe and the modern world.
On the way home, we stopped at a clock shop,once again in the Black Forest. We saw the world's largest cukoo clock and had a short break before continuing back to Tuttlingen.
There is not much feeliing of being homesick among the group anymore. The participants are reporting to us that they are very comfortable in their homes and that things are going well.
oh no ky!!! a german broken toe! and a trip to the gesundheitszentrum to boot! you might as well have every experience you can. for my whole life i wanted to set foot on german soil. the first time i visited, i drove there from monaco. as i crossed easily into germany, i turned on the car radio to hear german spoken for my first time on german soil. gladys night and the pips was playing and it was "i heard it through the grapevine". probably more memorable than if it had been some german broadcast. i bet you enjoyed the black forest cake more than the wurstsalat!
ReplyDelete