Friday 19th May
We could not have wished for a better beginning to our exchange – we have been quite simply overcome by the warmth and generosity of our hosts for the first week.
If I was to report on every event it would take literally all day, but the highlights were –
- a very warm welcome at Frankfurt when we arrived, by DGE Rudolph and his wife with a big Rotary Wheel for identification. They then made sure we got the correct train.- The welcome at Stuttgart Train Station by Heinrich Reuss the German GSE Team with a great big banner strung between two poles.- Meeting our host families – their warmth and generosity ensured immediate bonds between us. All the team have their own stories but in my case I am staying in my own room on the third story with a beautiful view. As I write this it is after 7pm but it feels like about 4pm – difficult to get used to. The team are having a night out with the Baumers son Lars. The night starts at 10pm! Just as well they can sleep in in the morning! I am of course far more sensible and will spend the evening relaxing with the family.- We have been wined and dined royally every day – swabian food is very morish and there is plenty of it. Mind you we are getting plenty of exercise – from a comprehensive walking tour of the city on the first day to climbing every set of stairs we can find.- Our visits have included The Mercedes Benz Museum (WOW!), a guided tour of “Stuttgart 21” the 5 Billion + Euros scheme to put the central station underground and continue the traks underground rather than coming to a dead end (like Central at home), a full viewing of all the consolidated traffic services for Stuttgart including roads, police, parking, public transport and emergency services (this is a topic on its own!), Ritter Museum of art (same lot as makes chocolate !), dinner in Stuttgart Zoo, a rustic supper at the “Rotenberger Kelter” (A boutique winery), and Ludwigsburg Palace which is just too big a topic to try to relate here.- Vocational visits have gone well.- Our first presentation was I think well received
The team have really made a hit. They have been just great. At the zoo I thought it would be nice if they all introduced themselves in English. They each did it in German. We are all having so much fun and I think it is infectious!
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