Daughter’s Senior Trip
In the first year of Swiss high school, those who continue on to college get assigned a class according to their “major”. As you regular Evendays readers know, about 25% of high school students actually go on to college, and those folks must chose an emphasis early on. (sciences, humanities, languages, economics, etc.) In tenth grade, Daughter was assigned a class in the math-physics division with 17 boys and 3 girls.
As a senior, the class makes their Senior trip. I imagine the goal, years ago, was to educate students, visit museums and learn hands-on about stuff they’d been studying in class. Son 1 and 2 both went to Italy and visited volcanoes and ancient cities. Daughter and her class went to Marrakech, Morocco, during Ramadan.
She enjoyed the spices and a trip to the beach and being with friends. Much more difficult were the constant buzzing of peddlers and the uncomfortable-ness of eating lunch when Muslim Moroccans were fasting. (She said she learned to “skip” lunch out of respect for the locals…) She got back on Saturday night, loaded with spices for couscous, a bag of tea and coffee… Happy to be home and sleep in her own bed.
As a senior, the class makes their Senior trip. I imagine the goal, years ago, was to educate students, visit museums and learn hands-on about stuff they’d been studying in class. Son 1 and 2 both went to Italy and visited volcanoes and ancient cities. Daughter and her class went to Marrakech, Morocco, during Ramadan.
She enjoyed the spices and a trip to the beach and being with friends. Much more difficult were the constant buzzing of peddlers and the uncomfortable-ness of eating lunch when Muslim Moroccans were fasting. (She said she learned to “skip” lunch out of respect for the locals…) She got back on Saturday night, loaded with spices for couscous, a bag of tea and coffee… Happy to be home and sleep in her own bed.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Man, who planned and timed that trip?!?
She is so welcome to come visit us, and we can have friends in maths-physics give her some proper tours with lunch breaks!
Actually, having lived in Moslem countries, Ramadan, Big Eid and Little Eid gave us a different perspective on our own Christian faith. Learning respect for others, and being reminded about Abraham’s sacrifice and God’s gifts of strength and protection are not bad things.
Glad Daughter is back with some goodies. Happy couscous!
October 8th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Our own bed always feels the best! Glad it was a good trip and that she’s home now.
We have new next-door neighbors who are something other than Tennessee red-neck. Don’t know exactly what religion they are, but they celebrated Ramadan, too. It has been interesting so far to get to know just a little bit about them. The kids are beautiful and friendly, as well as the parents. The mother, whose name is Assi, doesn’t speak a lot of English, but the oldest daughter, Shema, translates for her. They recently had a very American birthday party for the 5-year-old son, Tasid, and we were invited over, but it couldn’t take place until 7:00 p.m. because of Ramadan. We had had a couple of days with more family than usual in and out as well as church family. Assi sent Shema to ask why so many cars were here; she was concerned that Doris was sick, since Shema had told her that Doris’ health wasn’t good. That was sweet and so enforces the idea that compassion is the same in every language.
October 8th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
She has a generous sensitivity to the predicament of others.
October 8th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
I love the fact that Jessica has traveled places I’ll never go (as has Josh), but love it when they get home where I feel they are “safe”!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Well I am glad she got home safely and hopefully she enjoyed her trip, besides the skipping lunch part.
The closest I’ve been to Morocco was the Morocco part of Epcot at Disney World.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
What an amazing experience. And how nice to have her home.