Yesterday, Ira and I led a group of 39 kids to Lausanne (town of 100 thousand) to get fingerprinted for passport requirements. The bus can only go so far into town so we have to walk-not too far-maybe a half mile to mile but we (Ira and I) have only been there once ourselves, in this foreign city. Half way there I was informed, two people have left their passports on the bus (did they forget the purpose of the trip? -HELLO??) Anyway, I run back, well, okay not run really, but walk fast, to find the bus driver, who only speaks french. He's gone and has left the bus locked. I hunt him down in a motorcycle shop not too far, and miraculously get him to understand that I need to get in the bus to look for these two passports. I found the passports, found the owners and they were able to complete the mission. By the time we returned to school, with all kids in tow, I felt a moment of success!
Second:
I'm walking back up to my apartment after dinner and a boy stops me in the hall to ask how the dryers work. I stop to help. The school has brilliantly laminated and color coded instructions on how to wash and dry. Once I explained to his the instructions, he said "Thank you, I will help the boys that do laundry this weekend" (in his broken English of course). Again-success!
For the most part, the kids are good. There are a handful-mainly from Russia (that's our highest population) who have a hard time listening and following direction but this is a pretty strict boarding school so I'm hopeful they'll adapt. Some will, some won't. They are all testing the water and I hear Russian boys fear their fathers. Nice to know I'll have back up.
Overall, a good day yesterday. Today is the Berneuse challenge. All kids are required (except those fasting for Ramadan) are climbing to the top of our mountain. A huge feat in my opinion. When they get to the top, they are rewarded with pasta and ice cream! I'm cheering for the freshman team.
| 1. | of Av. Léopold de Reynier to the northeast toward Route du Chamossare start | 170 m |
| 2. | left turn onto Les Chamois | 700 m |
| 3. | law hold in order to Les Chamois to stay | 210 m |
| 4. | keep a sharp right turn in order to Les Chamois to stay | 6.5 km |
good for you phoebe!!
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