June 12, 2009
After a nearly 11 hour flight, we landed in Frankfurt, made it through passport control and waited for our flight to Munich. In the airport many
of our group ventured out to try German sodas and sweets. After a bumpy, but very short ride to Munich we were on the ground and ready to go! Luckily
everyone's luggage made it as well. It was then time to try out the German Rail System. It took 3 trains to get to Guenzburg. We were greeted by our
host families at the train station. They welcomed us with a sign that spelled out the words "Welcome to Guenzburg!" It was great to be there.
June 13, 2009
Our first full day in Guenzburg! Most of the day was spent with our host families. In the evening we all met up at the Trauben Keller for a welcome
party. We sat outside in the garden, enjoyed the weather and ate wonderful Greek food. As small gifts, the GAPP group from Guenzburg gave us Lebkuchen
Herzen (Gingerbread Hearts) and Guenzburg T-Shirts.
June 14, 2009
Today was exhausting but fun! We woke up early and travelled with our partners to Schwangau. Schwangau is in south Germany, not far from the border
with Austria. After a 2 hour bus ride, we arrived ready to see castles! We started with a tour of the castle Hohenschwangau. The tour was in German
and the tour guide spoke very slowly and clearly for us. Afterwards we went to the Tegelbergbahn, where we each had a ride on the Rodelbahn. A Rodelbahn
is a bit like a bobsled on a metal track. It was a lot of fun. Then we had about an hour hike next to a waterfall to reach the castle Neuschwanstein.
This is the most famous castle in Germany, possibly in the world. It was pictured on the cover of our German I textbook and is said to have been the model
for the Disneyland castle. The walk to the castle was uphill in the Alps and a bit more strenous than some expected, but we all made it. Nearly everyone slept
on the bus ride home. It was quite a day!
June 15, 2009
Today was our first day of school at Dossenberger Gymnasium. During the morning break we were greeted briefly by the school principal, Herr Dr. Henzle. After
school, Frau Schulz (partner teacher from Guenzburg) took us on a tour of the city. Although it was raining, we enjoyed it and had a nice time. Afterwards we
were free to spend the day with our host families. It eventually stopped raining and turned into a nice sunny afternoon.
June 16, 2009
Today started much like yesterday, with school. After school (around 12:30) we walked to the train station with Frau Schulz and Herr Puritscher (the other
partner teacher) to catch a train to Ulm. Ulm is a city about 20 mins away from Guenzburg in the German state of Baden-Wurttemburg. (Guenzburg is in Bavaria).
It lies along the Danube River. Ulm is known for the Ulmer Spatz (Ulm Sparrow), the Munster (cathedral -with the world's tallest tower) and Albert Einstein, who
was born there. We toured Ulm, seeing its many sights including the half-timbered houses, sparrow figurines, the site of Einstein's birth, the many canals and of course
the cathedral. 6 of the students and I were up to the challenge of climbing up the stairs to the top of cathedral tower. It was "only" 768 steps each way. We made it!
We returned to Guenzburg in time for dinner. A very exhausting, but rewarding day.
June 17, 2009
Today was a school day, followed by the opportunity to spend the afternoon with our host
families. Everyone will be doing something different. Below are a few photos from around
the school.
