This a couple of days combined. On the 23rd we traveled and had a one-on-one interview with a concentration camp survivor. Another P2P group from California met him at the same time. His interpreter came in first and told us the speaker would not allow any photos, gum chewing, slouching, or sleeping. With a beginning so strict I wasn't sure how he would be but the speaker was amazing. He said out of the group he was in at the camp of 800 boys 4 survived. He lost 19 relatives. It was fascinating and you could hear a pin drop. Reggie was particularly moved and needed some time alone to regroup. The next day some of us rode bikes through the beautiful city of Vienna. Those who did not want to ride stayed with Bruce and ... read more

We have so much to tell you, but unfortunately it will have to wait because I am typing from the front desk of our Austria stay. That is the only Internet available here right now. The first night the hotel did not have Internet and we got back to the hotel to late to walk to the Internet cafe. The next night we camped in a Medieval village and of course....no Internet. Tonight, the hotel does not have Internet for the patrons. I told them I have to let you know that we are all okay and having the most wonderful time. We will be at the same hotel tomorrow night. I might can make a fast entry but no pictures. Maybe this weekend I can update everything because we will be at a new place. ... read more

Today we left Rome and headed to Florence. We visited the Academia Gallery then we walked through the city of Florence, passing by the Duomo and the bronze doors to the Baptistery, known as the Gate to Paradise. After the tour there was free time to roam the streets of Florence. Pictures below. You will notice not many female students. Just turned out that way. All female students are safe and sound. BTW - all messages and comments have been forwarded to your student. Here are some quotes from students about their impression of Rome as we moved toward Florence. “I do believe I have fallen in love with Rome.” Stella Smith “…I love Rome! It’s so beautiful and interesting. Bursting full of all types of people; so much history makes it mysterious. I definitely want ... read more

Today we visited the catacombs and had an entire afternoon of shopping. Some students liked it better then others. Some found it a little spooky and cold. We could not take pictures inside so there will not be any postings of that. Imagine walls with indentions big enough for bodies to be laid as in sleep the entire wall. If I understood correctly there were 16 levels to catacombs. The bodies had removed to prevent destroying the remains but it was still pretty amazing to think of the bodies having been there. The walk between walls was maybe three feet across, probably narrower. It was like a maze the way it snaked around. For lunch...PASTA...again, then that afternoon the students broke into groups of 4 or more with at least one of the members a male ... read more

On June 18, ten of our ambassadors and eight of their parents caravaned to Raleigh for a voluntary field trip. That morning we visited the NC Museum of Natural Science. In groups and individually students viewed skeletons of dinosaurs and whales, walked through a butterfly atrium, and peered through foliage looking for the creatures that lived in the displays. We had a box lunch delivered to us in front of the museum and for dessert...chocolate covered meal worms and crickets of course. Yes, they were real bugs. This is an adventurous group! Destiny Askew, one of our student ambassadors, and her mom organized the highlight of our trip through her contact with Senator Ed Jones to visit the General Assembly. That afternoon we crossed the road to the url=http://www.ncga.state... read more