TIME FLIES

One thing about Europe is that is just is not as easy to access the internet on a regular basis as we do at home...which explains the lull in posts... since our trip to Dachau, we made bretzels in the afternoon.  I don#t know why this is such a great activity but everyone always seems to enjoy themselves when making silly little mice and of course eating the Bretzels themselves.  The owner of the Bakery and his father are so kind and really make everyone feel at home and comfortable.

Wednesday was a free family day and public holiday for German Reunification day. Everything is closed and the families spend time together. Most students went hiking - some to Ulm and some to Stuttgart:  at this time everyone seems to be in a rythmn with each other and getting to know each other pretty well.

Thursday we loaded the bus and drove thorgh the Black Forest to Strassburg France. A slight delay in leaving because there were a few forgotten passports...ahem, cough cough...but Alex our bus driver made up for lost time twisting and turning down the hairpin hills.  Manny was not too fond of the drive but felt better after joining the front and having a bit of peppermint. We arrived in Strassburg and had a great tour of the cathedral. highlights included the 13th century stained glass windows that were removed during WWII hidden and lost.  the windows were later found by an American soldier in a salt mine and returned to the cathedral.  Also specific to the cathedral is the astrological clock.  During free time students ventured to the top of the spire to have a great view of the once German then French then German then French city.  The weather began to fall apart on us before our boat tour.  We were happy to be under cover while viewing the varied architecture on the city.  A langer span of free time gave the students a chance to eat real freanch food in france, buy shoes in france, and enjoy a change in culture.

Friday we met at the train station for our annual trip to Tübingen.  Here we were treated to a game of speed dating and charades at the DAI.  "HELP! I just saw a real lion in the intersection!" proved to be a stumbling block.  But in the end I think the students understood about the challenges of communicating in different langauges.  We then head across the street and filled 2 punt boats, sort of like gondolas, and were treated to a ride down the river Necar. Lindy, Shakira, and Nigeria were all brave enought to lend a hand to powering the boat with the "big stick."  Again free time followed with students eating ice cream and hanging on the steps of the church - a magical spot.

This weekend they are off to all parts, today is Heather's birthday and a surprise of sorts is planned with the whole group. The weather has held pretty good but tomorrow does not look great.  I am sure we will all make the best of it.