Starting week 3...time is flying by!
Wow! We are approaching the halfway point of our trip...it is hard to believe! Yesterday in our student support and success groups we discussed how the trip is unfolding now that we´ve been here for a little while. Each student has their own personal experience, of course, but in general the consensus seems to be that we have now entered a new phase. At first everything was very new and we struggle a lot with the language barrier, but we have settled into a routine (more or less) and the language barrier seems less and less of a challenge. We discussed some strategies for making the most of our remaining time here, and I expect that our students will continue to thrive.
Our excursion last Friday was so much fun...and we saw so much! We started at the Museo Jurásico (dinosaurs in Asturias!), then visited Covadonga (when you hear from your students, ask them about the historical importance of this site - they have learned about it and should have something interesting to say!), took a short hike up to see some beautiful lakes in the mountains, and finally we stopped in a small town to see a 13th century bridge that is still standing...and it was gorgeous! We have a lot of photos below. Hopefully we got at least one or two of everyone...
Finally, I´m sure the students did some exciting things with their respective families over the weekend, although I´ve only had a chance to speak with a couple about what they were up to. Yesterday we had a normal class schedule and some sports activities in the afternoon to make sure we are up and moving (soccer and badminton, mostly). This afternoon we have a special surprise for the students, we´ll learn some traditional Asturian dance, and then on Thursday we leave for Santiago de Compostela. This will be a great trip! Santiago is the end of perhaps the most important medieval Christian pilgrimage, a pilgrimage that is traveled even to this day (I, myself, did it 10 years ago) and, while we won´t be walking the entire way, our students will get a glimpse of what the final moments of this journey looked like for pilgrims from all over the world.
More to come!
Our excursion last Friday was so much fun...and we saw so much! We started at the Museo Jurásico (dinosaurs in Asturias!), then visited Covadonga (when you hear from your students, ask them about the historical importance of this site - they have learned about it and should have something interesting to say!), took a short hike up to see some beautiful lakes in the mountains, and finally we stopped in a small town to see a 13th century bridge that is still standing...and it was gorgeous! We have a lot of photos below. Hopefully we got at least one or two of everyone...
Finally, I´m sure the students did some exciting things with their respective families over the weekend, although I´ve only had a chance to speak with a couple about what they were up to. Yesterday we had a normal class schedule and some sports activities in the afternoon to make sure we are up and moving (soccer and badminton, mostly). This afternoon we have a special surprise for the students, we´ll learn some traditional Asturian dance, and then on Thursday we leave for Santiago de Compostela. This will be a great trip! Santiago is the end of perhaps the most important medieval Christian pilgrimage, a pilgrimage that is traveled even to this day (I, myself, did it 10 years ago) and, while we won´t be walking the entire way, our students will get a glimpse of what the final moments of this journey looked like for pilgrims from all over the world.
More to come!
Getting a short intro at the Museo Jurásico
One of our students signed the guest book...a nice touch!
Group photo outside the museum
Climbing up to the mirador for a break and snacktime
Covadonga
Statue of Don Pelayo
"Here lies Don Pelayo..."
Waiting for the bus to take us to our next destination
Starting the trek up to the lakes
Lunch time!
On our way down the mountain
That's us up on the bridge!
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