Freiburg and Farewell Party

We awoke yesterday morning to the troubling news about gunfire and possible explosions in Watertown.  We briefed the students, and explained that we didn't know much, but it seemed that they had found the two potential suspects from the Boston Marathon bombings.  It has been an unreal week for everyone, both here and back home, and the news reports felt more like something from a film rather than from our city.  While we had Boston and Watertown on our minds, we wanted to make the most of our last full day as a group.

Fondue

The morning began with a final Swiss "crash course" where Osi talked about four staple dishes of Switzerland: Raclette, Fondu, Geschnezeltes Kalbfleisch, and Rosti.  Many of the students have had a chance to taste these dishes, and they now have the instructions for how to prepare these dishes, so get ready for some cheese!

Cathedral in Freiburg

After our crash course, the students had a chance to look at the portfolios that the Swiss students prepared during their time in Reading.  The portfolios were intriguing and informative, and gave many of the students a chance to see Reading through a Swiss student's eyes.   Many of the portfolios were really well done, and it was compelling to see the completion of all of their hard work.

Freiburg

After our class, we headed to the German train station to take a train to Freiburg.  Freiburg is a German town about an hour away from Basel.  The architecture is much different from Basel, and our students enjoyed some time to explore a more "German" city.  We spent several hours in Freiburg, as the rain held off for us, and we navigated the cobble stone passage ways, the channels, a the various markets that are strewn about the city.  We were happy to be able to explore a bit of Germany during our time here.  We then took the train back to Basel, and the students had a couple of hours to relax and explore Basel before we headed to our farewell party.

The famous 'croc' of Freiburg

Much like we all had a chance to come together at the Sadwick's back in the fall, American and Swiss students, parents, and teachers were all able to meet at a parent's house in Basel to come together as a group one final time before our departure.   The food was bountiful, and it was wonderful to hear great reports from host parents about our students. We had  chance to say thank you to both the host families and to Laura and Osi for making our stay here in Basel so great.

The students have one final day in Basel with their host families, before we will all meet at the airport on Sunday.  I am hopeful that our students will be able to make the most of the day, and it is already off to a good start, as we learned of the capture of the one suspect in the bombing and the death of another.  It has been a trying time, but we are all gladdened by the news.

Until Sunday!

Farewell party

Some of the boys grilling

Students and parents mingling