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Published: July 30th 2012
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No rest for the weary might not be the most appropriate motto for the group as a whole, but may perhaps be fitting for the chaperones. The kids on the other hand may be better served by the catchphrase “no let down for the strong” or better yet “Sleep? What’s that?!”
Our wild week continued Thursday as we departed for the medieval walled city of Lubeck and an overnight stayat the youth hostel. Our weather karma remained strong as it was yet again a brilliantly sunny day! The German teachers have been joking this entire trip that it is the American’s that bring the summer weather. It had been cold and rainy up until the very day we arrived when it turned sunny and hot, just as it had the prior two exchanges!
Shaun, Chris and I spent the hour long train ride meeting individually with all of our American charges in order to see how things have been going for them. To our delight, things really seem to be going great! I am more worried about coaxing them back on to the plane to go home at the end of the trip than I am about homesickness, dealing
with the language barrier, and adjusting to a new culture!
The short walk to the hostel was brightened not only by the blazing sun, but the look of this amazing town! All of the church steeples were capped in copper when they were built. Over the years, the copper has oxidized to produce tall green spires rising up all over the skyline. Lubeck was a wealthy port city during the middle ages and boasts many incredible old buildings. Though it sure doensn't seem like it, Lubeck is still Germanies largest port city on the Baltic Sea. The city seems quaint and charming, not industrial or modern in the least!
We checked in to the hostel and set out once again for the main gate. From here we broke into teams for the scavenger hunt that would lead our students to discover the narrow cobbled alleys of this great place. As the students completed their task, I led the chaperones off to complete my own personal hunt that I had been waiting four years to see end. This town is renowned for its marzipan production and has been for hundreds of years. As such, there is a marzipan museum
Group On The Bridge
Preparing to cheer on canoers with “marzipan men” and the best looking candy you will ever find! More importantly however, Lubeck is home to the best Marzipan Latte in the world! Much to Heidi and my chagrin, the cafe that serves them was closed for the duration of our last visit with our group two years ago. Thankfully I was able thouroughly enjoy a cup on this visit!
Team Trey Meyer won the scavenger hunt several hours later and it was off to find dinner in the city on their own.
All day long I had been preparing myself to climb one of the tall towers in the city for a better look around and perhaps some pictures. I had completed a climb of Mount Baker just a couple weeks earlier, but still I had spent the day mentally preparing myself for the climb. It was time! I paid my three euros and Chris, Shaun and I were off… Total let down! Elevator only! What a travesty! I believe that one should have to earn the views that are reward for ascending such a structure. Oh well, it was a stunning view anyhow!
Lubeck is situated on the river Trave. There are
a few traffic bridges and a multidude of bridges dedicated to foot and bicycle traffic. On one of these foot bridges an interesting tradition has ensued. Those who are recently married, or even those who have been married for many years attach a padlock to the cable of the bridge and throw the keys into the river Trave in order to symbolize their eternal dedication to one another. There are hundreds if not thousands of locks on the bridge!
When we met back at the hostel the kids were still raring to go. It was off for a twilight stroll down by the river and back to the main gate where we could appreciate the city in a whole new light… artificial. The town takes on a whole new brilliance when the sun goes down and the towers are lit up!
Along the way, were stopped by a fountain for some good times, cheered on canoers from the bridges (I’m not sure they really appreciated us as much as they should have) and even introduced the German students to a new game. We happened upon a field with a path cutting it into two pieces. It was as
perfect a place for a game of capture the flag as I have ever seen! After several minutes of explanation, translation, re-explanation and retranslations, we were ready for a practice game. With that out of the way, it was on! American versus Germans in some seriously competitive capture the flag action! Round one went to the Germans as I think the American side took the newby competition a bit lightly. The good natured heckling and trash talking roused the American and the English speaking side took rounds two and three to capture the match in the best of three competition.
On to the main gate once again. This time it was lit up brilliantly. As there was a grass field, games once again ensued. Hide and seek was the game of choice at this juncture. At 11pm it was time to call the festivities and head back to the hostel to get some “sleep”.
4am and the chatting and laughing continued. It was all good however. Nobody was overly boisterous and they stayed in their rooms. Another display of the high quality of this group as a whole!
The sun rose, breakfast was served and we were
Crossing The Street
At the signal only! off on the train to Travemünde! The large sandy beach is located on the Baltic Sea and is an incredibly popular place for not only Germans, but Europeans from many countries to spend their holidays.
We set up shop for the day on a clear patch of sand near the water. The students really enjoyed laying in the sun, playing in the water, perusing the many shop tents that lined the boardwalk, and getting curious looks by throwing around an oddly shaped ball on the beach (football). Some passersby even stopped to watch how throwing and catching a football was done for a bit before movong on.
All too soon it was time to head back to the train station in order to catch our ride home. When we arrived, we noticed a stand that was unlike anything I have ever come across. Not in Italy, Greece, Malta, Norway or any of the other places I have had the opportunity to visit had I ever seen anything like it. Not even in Ballard! Odd snacks are one thing, but eels on a stick are quite another!
Several of our kids were out cold on the train trip
Lubeck Church
From adjacent tower home, making the connections in the glacial lethargy displayed best by tired teenagers.
It was a exceptional two days! Our kids handled themselves brilliantly! I and the other chaperones are proud to be associated with this group. I think the games in the parks really served to bond this group even more.
It is off to weekend activities from here. I know some are camping, a few are heading to the North Sea, one to the wildlife park, and a couple of us are off to Berlin! Others are poised to recharge their batteries with some sleeping in, lounging around and perhaps some shopping.
It is hard to believe that we have been here for a full week already! I am always amazed at how fast the time here goes. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to have something big planned literally every day of the week!
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