Vacation!!!

Well, it’s been quite a while since I wrote my last post and a lot of stuff has happened since then. Most importantly to me was a visit to Germany to visit Mom and Dad. I’ve been back a month now and I’m still sad about leaving all the scrumptious food…um, I mean, Mom and Dad.
While I was back I managed to fit in a short trip to Delft, Netherlands to see a college friend and Mom, Dad and I drove down to Garmisch to enjoy a last trip to the Alps and say goodbye to the town “for the last time.” Haha, that is, until we visit Tom after he moves. We did the things we’ve done there in the past including a trip to the Ettal Monestary and the Eibsee. I even got to see some snow when Dad and I drove down in a mini-blizzard.

My visit to Delft. Very cute town.

Mom and Dad at the Eibsee. Look at the snow!!!

When I wasn’t traveling around, I hung out in Bitburg eating good food and drink. While I was there, I was able to visit the Class with which I correspond. This is the Learning Center run by Lydia Banuelos. For those of you who don’t know, there is a program called WorldWise Schools in which a Peace Corps Volunteer is paired with a class in the States. In my case, I was able to request the class applying from Mom’s school, Bitburg Elementary School. This class is made up of second, third, and fourth graders.
During my visit, I gave a presentation about my life and work and then, following the Samoan tradition of reciprocity in big events, the class presented me with Samoan legends. Here are some pictures of the class groups and the posters they made about the legend.

The Legend of the Southern Cross

The Legend of Sina and the Eel

Saia and the Origin of Taro

How Fire was obtained for Samoa

Apologies to the class, those pictures are not the best but they’re all I have. Hopefully I can get some others from Lydia. We also got to try out some of the Samoan clapping dance called Sasa. The kids were very good and picked it up much more quickly than my training group did in training. They also tried out Koko Samoa, Samoa’s answer to hot chocolate. It something I really enjoy and is a testament to the fact that if you add enough sugar, many things will taste good. I want to send a big thank you to the class and Bitburg Elementary School for having me and showing me their work, including the very cool coral reef that all the students of the school have built in the cafeteria.
Well, that enough for now, I will be sure to update much more quickly next time. We’re entering a busier time of year now, so hopefully I’ll have more to report.