Well, we finally made it to the homestay and I have to say, I have never felt better about the matches for the students. Each one seemed to be in a home with a child their age and even the same sex, so yea to the organizer this year! I am impressed! Everyone seems to be doing very well, and I know many of the families were talking about getting together and going swimming, or going to a festival, etc. All is well in the homestay world! We will see them again early Monday morning where we will be heading back to Austria.
Last time I wrote how we got stuck in the rain in France, which was only part of the day really... once we walked to the beautiful cathedral in the main part of town students were given an option to shop or go on a walking tour of the town... I admit, most opted for shopping, but I got some pictures of the walking tour for everyone, which I will post when I get a chance. The hotel we went to that night was a middle schoolers dream for most, since they had a ping pong table, raquetball courts where the kids played some wall ball, and a fooz-ball table (not sure if I spelled that right). They had a ball... it also gave studdents a chance to socialize or repack if needed, and just goet some good rest and relaxation.
The next morning, we had breakfast at the hotel, where I had the absolute pleasure to embarass Townie and have the whole delegation sing happy birthday to him. :) From there it was off to Switzerland we go! Our first stop was in Luzerne where we did a walking tour, and then they had a lunch challenge to complete. They were put in groups of about 5 and given a few tips on some good Swiss/German foods to try, were given 11 Francs and given some questions to try to answer while they were out and about. They seemed to have a lot of fun with it! I think they were hoping for more time in the area, but alas we were off to our next destination. We drove for about an hour to hop on a boat to travel to our restaurant for dinner. WOW! There were some absolutely beautiful sites here. We were floating through the mountains, we got to sing to Townie again at dinner where they served him sparklers in his dessert! He said he thought it was the best birthday ever. :) After dinner, we hopped back on the boat, and went across the lake to jump on a cable car going up the mountain that would take us to our hotel! We hiked just a few minutes more up the mountain to the hotel where the bus was waiting for us with our luggage. The students were able to swim, play soccer, and pet the bunnies they had there. Otherwise, it was once again some great relaxation time and socialization time. Some of the boys were even playing cards. What a fabulous day!!!
Waking up the next day... off to Austria then our homestays in Germany. We headed to Innsbruck, Austria where we were brought after hiking a ways, to a Tourism/Culinary school and taught how to make an apple stuedel... then the students, in groups of about 4-5 got to make one together as well. Yummy!! They served us lunch there as well, and then we were given the struedels they made to take with us.I told them that now that I had all their pictures making this dessert it was going to be proof to mom and dad that they could cook! :) We hopped on the bus after this and at our next rest stop cut up the streudel so they could eat it. Job well done kiddos! Back on the bus we go and off to meet our homestay families.
I probably will not be able to get back on the internet until, at the earliest, on the 19th just as a head's up. I am going to try to post pics later, but not sure the home I am in has a USB hook up on this computer for me to do so... I promise to get them up there as soon as I can.
Till next time...
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