Dachau

Today was a solemn day.  The American students boarded a bus early this morning for the long trip to Dachau.  This, without a doubt, was the most moving day of the trip.  Students were given a two and a half hour tour of the memorial site.  I will not be posting any pictures because pictures can not do this experience justice.  Let it be said I have NEVER seen Reading students as quiet and interested as the 13 that were on this trip.  Each student was moved and has personally taken this experience to heart.  The chaperones are looking forward to reading each student's journal entry to see how they were each individually impacted.



After Dachau, students and chaperones made a quick stop in Ulm, birthplace of Albert Einstein.  Students were given a chance to climb the tallest church spire IN THE WORLD.  Only three brave souls accepted the challenge: Eli, Catherine, and Mr. Hudak.  After a very short amount of free time to shop or get delicious ice cream, students boarded the bus and headed back to Reutlingen.  This is their final weekend with their host families, as well as their final weekend in Germany!

"And this is a bongo..."

On Thursday, students were given their second (and final) German lesson.  Inge was impressed with the students' progress!

After the German lesson, students went to the Reutlingen youth centre Haus de Jugend for a drum workshop. Skeptical at first, students slowly worked themselves into the rhythm of getting to know each other better as well as working cooperatively to create a harmonious beat. 

Everyone, chaperones included, left with a large smile.  It could be heard for miles around how much fun was had by all, as well as a few students talking about how much they would like to take drum lessons.

Welcome to the Black Forest

Man, we were up early! But it was all worth it!  Today, students (both German and American) were taken to the Black Forest.  We visited the Vogtsbauernhof (the Black Forest Open Air Museum). Here students were given a first hand experience of life on the farmstead.  We toured a farm home dating back to 1599.  Students saw how family life existed in the large farm homestead where the animals and the people lived together under the same roof.

After leaving the Vogtsbauernhof (and about an hour on the bus), we arrived in Freiburg.  Here students rode the gondola up to the top of the mountain to see France, the Black Forest, and the city of Freiburg.

We walked down from the top of the mountain to the church were students were able to tour the church and take photos.  After leaving the church, students were given free time to tour the city of Freiburg.  Many shopped and ate, sampling the cake specialty of the region: the Black Forest Cake!

Auf Deustch

On Tuesday, the American students met for their first German lesson in Germany!  Inge was quite the teacher, making the lesson fun for all--even the chaperones!  Students learned important phrases to help them communicate with the German-speaking community. 

After the German lesson, Inge was kind enough to take everyone on a tour of Reutlingen!  We walked the streets as Inge told us about the history of the city. She described the fire that ruined the city in the 1700s.  She also took us down the Narrowest Street in the World!

We next walked to the church in the center of town.  Students were given the opportunity to climb the spire of the church for the amazing view from the top!

After visiting the church, students were lead back to the Rathaus (town hall) for a group photo.  What a fine young group of students!

"I have 7 levels. This is only level 4."

Today was our day in Tübingen. German and American students met at the train station and took the short ride over from Reutlingen. When we arrived, we walked to the D.A.I (German-American Institute). There, the students had a chance to get to know each other better. There was a lot of discussions between German and American--about life, culture, and one's future.  And, as always, there was time to laugh--we had a fun game of charades!

After our fun at the D.A.I, we walked over to the Neckar for our boat tour.  Students and teachers loaded onto the boat for an adventure on water.  Teachers proved to be good at rocking the boat.  Elijah, Pamina, and Yomari bravely volunteered to try their hand at steering the boat (which was far harder than it looked). Olli, our "boat driver," sat back to enjoy the view after giving Yomari a quick lesson in steering the boat.  She didn't fall in, and we didn't hit the shore, so it's a win!  There was some discussion in our boat about bringing this back to Reading and touring the Schuylkill River.  This idea was quickly dismissed after we talked about the scenery and pollution.  Just before we got off, Olli's (not very) small friend with a long tail and beady eyes scurried off the boat, making a perfect dive into the water.  We were lucky only Ms. Martinez and Ms. Dysart saw the beast, or else there would have been some very scared young ladies.