This morning we met at the train station and travelled to Tübingen for a visit to the DAI and a ride on the punt boats. The DAI or German American Institute is always a refreshing break. As we were a very large group, including both sets of students and chaperones, well over 60 of us, we had fun just working with language. We had to arrange ourselves in birth order without talking. There was of course some confusion between months or days first but we managed to do a pretty good job. The students then separated into 2 rings with Americans on the inside and Germans on the outside. From there we went through a speed dating process which forced the students to talk with each other about assigned topics. Many of them interacted with students they have had yet to talk with. At the end they were given a pin with both the American and German flags, so now they are all part of the exclusive club!
We then traveled across the street and filled 4 punt boats, a very slim canoe like boat, with a gondalier. Several of the students had the chance to motor the boat along. Ray sent his into the trees, Devyn did just fine, Sashira and Camryn also had a chance. It was a nice chance to sit and talk, although Wynton spent most of the ride with his nose in his Gameboy.
After the boat ride we had several hours of free time in the city.
At 2 we put them back on the train and set them loose to again be with their families. We later ran into Vanessa and Edwin stocking up on chocolate at the Ritter Sport factory.
This evening most of us attended the Italy Germany soccer match, no not the national team, but the youngsters. It was not quite as impressive with the singing and flag waving as a game in Stuttgart but it was still a great game to watch. AND of course Germany won!
Tomorrow off to Dachau. Fittingly the weather is turning and the sun may not shine in the morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment