We had quite the experience in Dublin! We were able to visit the Blarney Castle (the one we painted) and had a blast!
We have spent the last 2 nights on the campus of University of Bangor and have one more night here...there are several other delegations on campus as well...we have all washed some of our clothes and are ready for the last week of our journey!
Friday we spent the day on a farm where we learned real Irish dancing, how to make soda bread and how to jump in a bog....97% water and 3% mud....what a blast...on the ride back from the farm we were muddy and cold but singing "Bog down in the valley oh!" (thank you Winnataska for the camp song!)
Yesterday we did our "Full On" experience which included repelling down the side of a 210ft. tall castle wall! 34 out of 38 kids made it down...the other 4 made it up to the top and out to the platform for great pictures! All 4 leaders made it down the wall - yes, even those who are TERRIFIED of heights!
In Scotland we will spend the night in a youth hostel and do some whitewater rafting....we have alot of fun stuff planned for the kids!
We are tired, cranky, delirious, happy, excited and still going strong!
This may be the last post but check back just in case...I'm also going to try and upload some pictures and videos!
I'm giving up the computer now for some of the kids to use it.....
Much love,
MJ
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
We have arrived in Ireland!!!
After a 2 hour ferry trip across the Irish Sea we arrived in Ireland! Glad to report that there was no seasickness!!!!
We got to tour the factory at Waterford! Some of us held a copy of the Super Bowl Trophy, some got to smash defective waterford glasses and all learned the intricate work required for the beautiful cut glass details we all take for granted...some of you were fortunate enough to even get gifts!!!!
Today we toured the Blarney Castle (the one we painted) and kissed the Blarney Stone...we had a blast - not all were adventurous enough to kiss it though but we got some great pictures.
We then had a long bus ride to Dublin and stopped for about an hour at the Irish Stud Farm/Japanese Gardens. It was great to stretch our legs...even if we did learn more about how to stud a horse than I think any of us really needed to know :)
The hotel in Dublin is in the City Centre which is exciting....the kids are exploring the city in large groups...we will be here until Saturday. Tomorrow we will be visiting a farm where we will learn to make soda bread and bog jump....can't wait for that.
The kids are doing a great job experiencing the culture and trying the food....but be ready to cook some good southern meals or drive thru some good old fast food!
Will check back in later for any messages you want me to pass on to the kids!
MJ
We got to tour the factory at Waterford! Some of us held a copy of the Super Bowl Trophy, some got to smash defective waterford glasses and all learned the intricate work required for the beautiful cut glass details we all take for granted...some of you were fortunate enough to even get gifts!!!!
Today we toured the Blarney Castle (the one we painted) and kissed the Blarney Stone...we had a blast - not all were adventurous enough to kiss it though but we got some great pictures.
We then had a long bus ride to Dublin and stopped for about an hour at the Irish Stud Farm/Japanese Gardens. It was great to stretch our legs...even if we did learn more about how to stud a horse than I think any of us really needed to know :)
The hotel in Dublin is in the City Centre which is exciting....the kids are exploring the city in large groups...we will be here until Saturday. Tomorrow we will be visiting a farm where we will learn to make soda bread and bog jump....can't wait for that.
The kids are doing a great job experiencing the culture and trying the food....but be ready to cook some good southern meals or drive thru some good old fast food!
Will check back in later for any messages you want me to pass on to the kids!
MJ
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Here we are in Wells...not to be confused with Wales!
Hi all...or Cheers as they say across the pond!
I don't have time to upload pictures or tell you of all the fun things we have done so far but I wanted to touch base...I will get back on later tonight and try to upload pictures and go into more detail about our adventures.
Wednesday was the longest day of all of our lives...hardly anyone slept on the long flight...we were getting to know our friends from Savannah and our clocks were still on southern time! We arrived at 6:30ish am and hit the ground running....our Delegation Manager is a lovely 25 year old girl named Rebecca..she has already memorized all of the kids names and knows a little about each one!
We went straight to Greenwich Maritime and saw where all time is measured from....walked alot...went to an Italian restaurant for lunch (which took forever...most of the kids fell asleep at the tables waiting on food...I really wanted to join them)...from there we went to some underground caves that house 15000 people during World War II....dinner was at a great restaurant about 15 mins. from our hotel....room check was at 9:00 and most of the kids were already asleep by the time we knocked on the doors!
Thursday - everyone was well rested and in great moods! We picked up a blue badge tour guide named "Auntie Bev" who ran us around London - literally! We started at St. Paul's Cathedral (where Charles and Diana were married), then on to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards, we had lunch with Henry VIII, toured London Towers, saw the crown jewels, cruised the Thames River, had a fish & chips dinner and then went to the theatre and saw "The Lord of the Rings"...it was an awesome show and a LONG day! I don't think any of us walk that much or that fast in real life!
Friday - we met a member of Parliment - very funny, very personable....we road the London Eye...the tallest ferris wheel - all but one rode...we have one who is terrified of heights so he stayed on the ground with Mrs. Bonnie and played in the arcade...from there we loaded the bus to travel to Wells - about a 4 hour bus ride....along the way we were able to see Stonehenge...we couldn't stop because they were closed but we got great pictures! We arrived at 5:30 at the Wells Cathedral School to meet our homestay families. The kids were anxious but excited...as we pulled into a crowd of school kids waving at the bus I heard several young men exclaim..."This is where all the hot girls are!" Needless to say they are all having a blast....we said our goodbyes last night and parted ways....we met them all for lunch today and they all have great stories just after one night...some are staying in a mansion so large that the bedrooms actually have numbers on the doors! We spent the afternoon shopping in this lovely village and ran into our kids all over the place...most of the girls have bought outfits to wear tonight...we are going to a concert. Tomorrow there is a bar-b-q and then a party/dance for the kids...then we are off to Ireland on Monday!
Your kids are wonderful, thoughtful young men and women...they are learning alot and most have told me how grateful they are to be American. Please know they are safe and loved!
I don't know when I will be able to blog again but I will keep you posted!
Ms MJ
I don't have time to upload pictures or tell you of all the fun things we have done so far but I wanted to touch base...I will get back on later tonight and try to upload pictures and go into more detail about our adventures.
Wednesday was the longest day of all of our lives...hardly anyone slept on the long flight...we were getting to know our friends from Savannah and our clocks were still on southern time! We arrived at 6:30ish am and hit the ground running....our Delegation Manager is a lovely 25 year old girl named Rebecca..she has already memorized all of the kids names and knows a little about each one!
We went straight to Greenwich Maritime and saw where all time is measured from....walked alot...went to an Italian restaurant for lunch (which took forever...most of the kids fell asleep at the tables waiting on food...I really wanted to join them)...from there we went to some underground caves that house 15000 people during World War II....dinner was at a great restaurant about 15 mins. from our hotel....room check was at 9:00 and most of the kids were already asleep by the time we knocked on the doors!
Thursday - everyone was well rested and in great moods! We picked up a blue badge tour guide named "Auntie Bev" who ran us around London - literally! We started at St. Paul's Cathedral (where Charles and Diana were married), then on to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards, we had lunch with Henry VIII, toured London Towers, saw the crown jewels, cruised the Thames River, had a fish & chips dinner and then went to the theatre and saw "The Lord of the Rings"...it was an awesome show and a LONG day! I don't think any of us walk that much or that fast in real life!
Friday - we met a member of Parliment - very funny, very personable....we road the London Eye...the tallest ferris wheel - all but one rode...we have one who is terrified of heights so he stayed on the ground with Mrs. Bonnie and played in the arcade...from there we loaded the bus to travel to Wells - about a 4 hour bus ride....along the way we were able to see Stonehenge...we couldn't stop because they were closed but we got great pictures! We arrived at 5:30 at the Wells Cathedral School to meet our homestay families. The kids were anxious but excited...as we pulled into a crowd of school kids waving at the bus I heard several young men exclaim..."This is where all the hot girls are!" Needless to say they are all having a blast....we said our goodbyes last night and parted ways....we met them all for lunch today and they all have great stories just after one night...some are staying in a mansion so large that the bedrooms actually have numbers on the doors! We spent the afternoon shopping in this lovely village and ran into our kids all over the place...most of the girls have bought outfits to wear tonight...we are going to a concert. Tomorrow there is a bar-b-q and then a party/dance for the kids...then we are off to Ireland on Monday!
Your kids are wonderful, thoughtful young men and women...they are learning alot and most have told me how grateful they are to be American. Please know they are safe and loved!
I don't know when I will be able to blog again but I will keep you posted!
Ms MJ
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Packing for the trip!
Okay - so my friend Rebecca made me feel bad cause she is traveling and blogging so I decided to give it a try.... I write like I talk so this will be interesting!
It's Saturday and I leave Tuesday....I haven't packed, I haven't washed clothes, I haven't done anything, but here I am playing on the computer! I'm such a procrastinator!
I'm watching The Girls Next Door and they are in London which is where I will be on Wednesday!
For those of you that don't know...I am traveling with People to People which is an ambassador program that Pres. Eisenhower started in the 50's to promote peace and goodwill between countries. Students are nominated to travel to other countries to learn their culture. I am traveling with 17 high school students from all over Alabama...the other leader is a friend who also teaches art at Thompson Intermediate - Gaile Randall - we are very excited! We will be joining another delegation from Savannah, Ga so we will have 38 kids total...they will bring 2 leaders with them as well.
We will be traveling in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales....I am not taking my computer so I will rely on Internet cafes and hotels to be able to keep you all up to date on my travels.
Please pray for our safety and I will see you all when we get back!
Much love!
MJ
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