We Made It!

Glad to report that there are 16 students and 3 chaps safely tucked in in Reutlingen.  Our flights and travel were amazingly smooth. We easily made our connections and arrived in Reutlingen about 25 minutes earlier than expected. The students were very laid back during travel and most even slept for a few hours on the airplane. The only glitch was getting getting Michelle's boarding passes to print - otherwise it was frightenly simple.  After final arrival and checking that each students partner or family was present, we were all whisked off for a day of zombie-like entertainment.  The final word to the students was that they could not nap and were to stay awake until 8 pm, if they wanted to avoid jet lag. Many went for hikes and spending time with their families.

Yesterday morning was the first that the students attended school with their partners. At 11 we all met at the Rathaus for a welcoming reception from one the top adminstrators in the Mayors office. We were treated to Brezels, pastry, apfelschortle, johannesbeere, sparkling water (everything to drink with bubbles.) The students appeared to be well rested and beginning to settle in. There was a definite separation between German and American students which will begin to change this afternoon. The American students were wide-eyed at the central market and their surroundings.  They chatted about the windows and structures of their homes and even the packed lunches, in little plastic boxes, that the families packed for them. We each had the opportunity to check on how they slept and how they were currently feeling.  Only one seems to be homesick and we will take her to lunch this afternoon for some adult time and mothering.

Later today we meet again for a tour of the city and a special treat of going up in the garden tower - a first for all of us.  The afternoon will be capped off by the entire group bowling.  This is always the bonding moment for most of the students- music blaring, slippery floors and just plain silliness, all allow for inhibitions to drop and the students to become firends.

This weekend they will spend family time.