Teacher Andy Johnson writes, “We had a super tour of the World War II Aviation section of the National Air and Space Museum where the kids were able to see the Enola Gay up close, as well as the Arado Ar 234, which was the world’s first operational jet bomber built and used by the Germans in the latter stages of World War II. We also walked around a shuttle and saw more incredible aircraft from our history.

Our day in Gettysburg included a tour and lunch on Little Round Top. Everyone had plenty of time to think about the men of the 20th Maine and 15th Alabama. In the evening, we made our way from Georgetown University where we are staying to Embassy Row and enjoyed the sunset in view of the National Cathedral.

It was a long, but great day. The kids are going to sleep well tonight.”

On Thursday we went to a fossil museum; also the Observatorio Indigena Muisca “Infiernito.” Before going there, we began the day at a very cool ceramic art studio way up in the mountains. The kids wove baskets and made ceramic pots. They had a blast and were totally engaged in the process. We had a delicious typical Colombian lunch at the pottery factory and then stopped in the village of Raquira to shop for half an hour. After returning to the hotel for dinner, games and activities were prepared for the kids until it was time to go to bed.

Yesterday was amazing and exhausting at the same time. We got up really early (5 am) and took the bus to Santurario de Flora y Fauna de Iguaque, a national park way up in the mountains about 20 miles from Villa de Leyva. We hiked through 3 bio zones: jungle, temperate, and desert (at the top), with our destination being a sacred lagoon where the indigenous people believe creation began. The hike was pretty difficult, it was incredibly steep and long, but all of the students did remarkably well. We came back to the hotel, showered and went shopping in the town for an hour or so. That evening there was a big bonfire, dance, and birthday party for Chad (it’s his birthday today). Also, since it was April Fools Day, there were dozens of funny jokes and pranks. It was so much fun for the Colombian students, but they were afraid they would get in trouble for playing a joke on someone….so they would come and ask permission to play an April Fools’ joke!

We should get back to Bogota around 6 or 7 this evening, just in time for a surprise 15th birthday party for Laura, one of the CIEDI students. I know the families are excited to share this experience that is such an important event in a girls life here with our students.”

Photos are from previous days’ activities working at school, touring museums, taking a tram to Mount Serrate overlooking Bogotá that has 8 million inhabitants!

Riverstone will be hosting the 18 students from CIEDI from February 28 to March 18 where they will collaborate on other projects. We are looking forward to their arrival!

Notice the video conference and the presentations being viewed at the same time!

What a great opportunity to experience international understanding!

1. You have to ask, “Is 4,800 meters very high?”

2.  That cute little “garter snake” is actually a viper.

3.  Hut?!  Chalet is more like it.

4.  Showers?!?

5.  ”Hurry…we’re going to miss the train back to the trailhead.”

6. No bagels. Only baguettes.

7.  Wait that’s not a deer, that’s an ibex!

8.  That peak over there is in Italy and the one over there is in Switzerland.

9.  Instead of an SNRA wilderness permit, you have to remember to bring your passport.

10.   After 8 miles of hiking and an increase in altitude of 1000+ meters, you come around a bend in the trail and a Ferrari speeds past. (I have the photo to prove it and will post later.)

Great times in the French Alps!!

Ben

Hello!

We arrived to beautiful weather in Chamonix yesterday and have taken advantage of a sunny forecast to travel via cable car to the Aguille du Midi. Right now we’re at 3842 meters (2787 meters above Chamonix) looking at Mont Blanc, and the French and Italian Alps. Truly stunning! Kids can’t wait to start learning some mountaineering skills!

The photo is taken from the top station of the Mont Blanc cable car (Aiguille du Midi).

Ben

Here’s a fun follow up to the list of highlights I sent earlier. It’s a

pretty good cross-section of the things you learn when you’re out of

your element…

Sarah S – It would be great to have a more efficient public

transportation system in Boise; Europe’s system is great.

Elena – Don’t let the little things distract you from the big

picture…if you’re hungry, remember that you’re hungry in SWITZERLAND!!

Maddi – Mountains here are STEEP.

Alex – When travelling in a large group, it’s very important to be alert

all the time.

Tatjana – By making junk food more expensive and harder to find, people

will eat a lot less of it.

Lydia – Just living here is exercise…there don’t seem to be a need

for gyms because people walk everywhere.

Sarah C – People eat A LOT of bread and can actually live on baguettes.

Chris – Soccer really is everywhere.

Stearne – Public transportation is everywhere – buses, subway, trains,

trams, cog trains, bikes…all make it easier to get around.

Asher – Trains are a very cool way to travel.

Reagan – Can’t imagine a Europe without the Euro. Changing money

everywhere would have been very difficult.

Lucas – Sleep when you have the chance.

Jon – Security at border crossings is a lot looser but security at

museums is a lot more strict.

Dylan – Weather can change on a daily/hourly basis.

Coleman – Fanny packs are still in style?!?

Paul – In Paris you can find a 3-course meal for 10 euro right across

the street from a shop with a 10 euro milk shake.

Ryan – If you want to understand a culture you have to understand

their public transportation.

Sam – Expect for your expectations about people/places to be wrong.

Remy – Seeing the Mona Lisa, priceless. Climbing the Eiffel tower,

priceless. Hiking in the Swiss Alps, priceless.  Shopping in any store

in Switzerland, definitely not priceless.

Ryan – European nations are very culturally diverse despite their

small size – Geneva, Switzerland seems French, but a short train ride

away, Wengen seems very German.

Austin – 1. Tiny cars really are practical. 2. Always have a couple

francs/euros in your pocket in case you need to pay to use a bathroom.

Christine – 1. Finally understands caffeine and chocolate addictions

2. Europe on $5 a day doesn’t exist anymore but Europe on 2 hours of

sleep a day does.

Tarrah – Public transportation with large groups is easier than

expected and, reservations are the way to go.

Matt – European culture is much more different than American culture

than I expected.  Traveling to South America the difference was

expected, but the differences here were suprising.

Ben -  1. People in Europe use small spaces very effectively – kitchen

gardens are everywhere, a kitchen/office/dining/living/bed room really

does exist.

AND

2. Riverstone students travel well ANYWHERE!

Riverstone at the United Nations.

We just had an amazing tour of the UN in Geneva. Our guide was wonderful.

A diplomat in the making; young, well spoken (in 7 languages!), hard

to keep up with in the hallways, captivating and spoke to the kids in

a language they could understand. So happy they were able to work us in!

A postcard is on its way…..

Ben

Dear all,

Finally. Safe and sound in Lausanne. Kids were very excited to see

green grass in the courtyards at the youth hostel and immediately

started juggling a soccer ball that appeared out of nowhere.  Will

walk along Lac Leman this evening.

Ben

Of course, the rain does not help visiting Les Alpes….

We had a wonderful day in Versailles.  Students had the opportunity to wander the palace and gardens for a number of hours, pondering all that has taken place in that very location.  We spoke about the different historical events, people, and celebrations. We finished the day with a nice dinner in Versailles.

Tonight we have a full agenda of LAUNDRY before heading towards Switzerland in the morning.

What a great six days in Paris.

We can’t wait to get a feel for another country, culture and city!

Christine, Jane, Ben, Matt and Tarrah & crew!!!!

Doing laundry. Life long learning in action. You have no idea how much fun this was!

Palais de Versailles, Paris