Comenius in America....

We are (Col.legi Pare Manyanet) presently visiting our American partner School in Massachusetts and recently had a lecture on the school's Sustainability project. We thought it would be a wonderful idea to share our experiences and ideas and help this world to be more environmentally sound, no matter the distance. Attached to our Comenius blog, you will find a link to Pingree's project and their own environmental blog. Very interesting.

Bochum - Germany (Comenius) Trip: Shannon Clayton

Wednesday 24th November

It Started on the Wednesday I got up at 7:00 am like any other school day only to realize today was the day I left for Germany and I still hadn't finished packing! In only 1 hr and 10 minutes we would be at the train station awaiting our train to Manchester airport. I said my goodbyes and me and mum set of to Swinton train station only to find we couldn't see anyone there yet so whilst we waited we wondered what my host would be like. It wasn't too long until Mr Minshull had arrived followed by Anna and her parents, I said by to my mum so she could go back home and went to join the others. Me and Anna decided to chat about our cases as even though I had been panicking all week mine seemed to be tiny and really light compared to hers. That's when I started to panic maybe I hadn't packed enough. Suzy took long enough to arrive but once she did it was time to get to our platform. They said bye to their parents and Anna's mum even gave me a huge hug, not that Anna noticed.

Once we boarded the train I asked Anna if her mum always did that she just said her mother was a weirdo and that she would tell her off once we got back from our trip. On the train me, Suzy and Anna finished our PowerPoint’s which we would be showing to the Germans and Spanish pupils evolved in the Comenius project. Once we had finished me and Anna decided to nosy through sir's itunes and found plenty of 80's music and girls aloud, we tried taking photos as we saw a camera on the screen of the laptop however we didn't find how to take pictures. There were 2 trains to catch to Manchester one to Meadowhall then the next straight to the airport.

The journey to the airport wasn't too bad but as time ticked on we started to get hungry. We got to the airport around inner time so once we were through check in we decided to eat. We went for a shop where Suzy bought a toy giraffe and I bought magazines. We had a lot of fun at the airport talking about our beloved Derek and creating inside jokes. There wasn't many shops to look at but we found a tech shop and started playing on the ipad it was very entertaining. It was soon time to board the plane and it was near enough empty, we loved it we was hoping that the plane back would be the same. I had never read the Harry Potter books although I have seen the films, so taking my friends advice I decided to read them although after a while I had to come back to reality so I listened to Paramore whist reading my Kerrang! mag. It was only about 1 hour on the plane so then we was at Düsseldolf - Germany. To get to the train station however we had to catch the sky train which was so fun as we don't have them in England.

We then stood waiting for ages waiting for our train to come because we had missed the last one that we all decided to freshen up on a bit off German.

We talked to local to ask if we were saying things right and it turned out they could understand us. The train came and I was startled at how many cyclists there was onboard. We were all nervous about meeting our hosts, probably me most of all because I had barely talked to Julia yet the others had been constantly messaging. It was only 5 minutes at Bochum train station when Mrs Chisholm pulled a fella, personally I found it hysterical.

We saw the German teacher who showed us to each of our hosts. Once we saw them I seemed over the moon they spoke English however I turned and saw Julia's parents just stood staring but also smiling at first I thought they just didn't know what to say to me but it turned out they couldn't speak any English! When we got to Julia's home I thought they would let me just rest and unpack, but they didn't instead relatives came over to see what Julia had got for her birthday. When I did eventually get to go to bed it was the hardest bed I'd ever slept on. It was worse than sleeping on the floor, but I'd get used to it.

Thursday 25th November

It was an early morning today, what with having to catch the bus to school at 7:45 am. For breakfast it was either toast or bread with Nutella, jam or cottage cheese with chocolate milk. At the school in Germany it was non-uniform which we thought was much better than our school. I though our school was big but this was huge compared to ours in Wath. I felt so lost but it was okay because Suzy arrived only two minutes later. Luckily our class was together and it was Spanish so we knew what they was talking about due to us learning it ourselves. Halfway through the lesson Eliza (Suzy's host) and Julia excused us as we had to go and join our teachers to wait for our coach. We was going to go to a incineration plant. Mr Minshull was ecstatic, however seeing where our rubbish goes wasn't really my cup of tea. Anna and Laura joined us and when everybody was at the meeting point we went to get on the coach outside.

What I found surprising was they didn't race to get the back seats. On the way there me, Suzy and Anna caught up with each other to see what their last evening was like, but then we didn't really know what to talk about so I put my music on full blast. The trip wasn't long, when we got there we was greeted and directed to a room filled with refreshments, coca-cola "THANK THE LORD!" I was sick of drinking grape juice. We sat through a discussion which was all in English, and found it fascinating how the other students knew what he was talking about. After the conference we got to wear blue builder hats and fluorescent jackets for our tour and we looked like bob the builder.

We followed our tour guide and he led us to where the rubbish was tipped it stunk vile luckily we had our scarf to cover our noses, although it made us look like terrorists. As we moved on we got to see rubbish being lifted by huge cranes and then rubbish being burnt and even the control room. On the way back down to the room we lost our teachers who were very keen on how the plant worked. But we went back to collect them then set off back to the room where we had earlier had our information talk, we said goodbye then set off back to Albert Einstein school.

When we got to the school we had dinner and we think we had the vegetarian option not that we was aware why but it still tasted nice. Julia's friends met up with us. There was; Pia, Carlotta, Hannah, Nessie, Leonie, Philli and Shawn. They was very nice but it was like they didn't want to say something and say it wrong but it would have been nice to hear them try speaking our language as well as us trying out their's.

After lunch break we went to do a Comenius activity where we was all split up and out into different groups, we got to know each other a little and designed a video. When school finished I was told that we would all meet up later on in the evening to go and see the Christmas market. Instead of getting the bus back Shawn's mum gave us a lift, she didn't mind at all. She spoke some English to me but then focused on her driving. They talked about music a lot about Justin Bieber and Lady GaGa and The Wanted.

We was dropped of at Shawn's house and we walked the rest of the way back. We didn't have anything to eat as we was going to get something at the market we got washed and recharged then went back out. We met Leonie at the tram stop and then caught the tram to town where we met Eliza and Suzy. Although Laura, Anna and Philli turned out to already be in the market. So we met them outside of star bucks instead of the station.

We walked around but every time we wanted to go somewhere the others wandered off. It seemed a bit like Laura and Philli was trying to fit in with the others but when it came to where to eat Julia, Eliza and Leonie wanted to have McDonalds, where as we wanted to try German food. We split into two groups and one went to McDonalds the other had German food. We ate this dough which was pizza like which had a topping of some cream sort sauce, bacon and onion. It was very delicious, I even wished we had them in England. We finished our food and went for a wander where I saw a slipper which was for both of your feet I was going to buy one but we had no time as the stores were closing. So instead we were re-assured we would come back I would by one another day. We met back up with the other girls but then Leonie needed to go home, it was getting later and then soon enough everybody else needed to go so we set of back but again we got a lift from Eliza 's mum this time, who thought I was called Sarah! :S

We got back and I changed for bed but before going to sleep me and Julia watched 'another Cinderella story' in English.

Friday 26th November

Today I actually had chance to have a lay in as there was no school lesson due to their teacher being off ill. On the other hand we still had to go into school to do the Comenius activity. We continued on yesterday's project and showed our PowerPoint’s. When we had finished we set off but the bus was ages away so we decided to walk to the trams but one was closed because of mechanics working on the rails. If we had waited our tram would be ages so instead we walked to the nearest bus stop and waited but on the bus we missed our stop because Julia was too busy talking to one of her friends. So we got of in town and Julia rung her mum to see if she'd pick us up. She agreed and came within 20 minutes. I was so excited about tonight we were going to a concert. We got back, changed and then left.

Before we set off to the ISS dome we picked up Maria (one of Julia's friends outside school). We got to the arena and they took professional photos, gave out five badges and free chocolate bars. Stood outside for several hours we near enough froze to death but when we got inside it was lovely and warm. Unlike many of the concerts I've been to this one was live, had a variety of different acts and we was stood at the front of the stage! It was all good there was English and German acts such as Monrose, The little black pony, Paul Potts, Mike Posner, mad con, far east movements etc. it was near enough interval but I was boiling. My head was spinning and I needed to sit down I felt really faint. I told Julia and when she explained to her mum she dragged me and forced me to sit down, she offered me something to eat but I wasn't hungry I was just gagging. They bought some drinks and I felt a lot better. The second half wasn't as long as the first half so it wasn't too long till it was over. When it finished it was really late so we was all so tired I nearly fell asleep in the car on the way back All I was bothered about now was going to sleep

Saturday 27th November

Today we was going to Munchen for the Christmas markets, I was hoping to find something to take back home with me but nothing caught my eye, then again we also had less time as me and Julia had to get the earlier train so we wasn't late for Julia's birthday party. Not that I was completely bothered, all I had on my mid was going home tomorrow. Throughout the beginning of the party I felt so lonely hardly anyone made conversation with me as if I was some sort of alien but I tried to be attentive. Julia did get some funny birthday presents for example baby food and many packets of chewing gum.

Suzy and her host arrived and then I had someone to talk to although we looked like very miserable as everyone else was dancing - well swaying. Eventually they came over to us and got us up dancing although the music being played was just being replayed over and over. I thought it was funny how their kind of birthday they have at the age of 13 is what we'd have at the age of 9. They had a screaming contest and I became very agitated so I screamed and it soon shut them up. I was so hoping the night would soon end so that I could go to bed and go home finally tomorrow.

Sunday 28 November

Home day finally! Ire-packed which didn't take long, watched a film then went to the train station where I met my teachers. We didn't really do much except talk about going home, we said goodbye and boarded our train. On the train we just talked about how glad we were to be going back. At the airport me and Anna made our own remake of the Barbara Streisand song by duck sauce. We found Billy boy and Patrick tic tac but then it was time to board our plane. Unlike our plane to Germany it was a lot more full on the way back. When we got back to Manchester me and Anna got excited at the site of the escalators as we remembered the past Friday at Meadowhall. We thought it would be fun to play on our ipods so we had a game of truth or dare. After a while we were pranking people with Anna 's free credit but then it wasn't too long till we was at Swinton where we all set off back home.

A DIARY OF MY VISIT TO BOCHUM: SUZY BEANLAND

The day we set off - Wednesday 24th November

The Journey

An early start greeted us on the day we set off. With a quick dash around checking I hadn't forgotten anything, we set off for the train station. We weren't as on time as we would've liked, but I got there before the train: everyone else (teachers: Mr Minshull & Mrs Chisholm. Friends: Anna & Shannon) were already waiting for me... Standing on the chilly platform of Swinton train station, we said our goodbyes to parents and watched out for our ride. We didn't have to wait for long before it was in sight. Here we caught the train and set off to Sheffield. At Sheffield, we caught another train which would take us to Manchester airport where we would be flying from.

We arrived at Manchester after what seemed like quite a short time due to all the excitement. We hauled our suitcases around until we got to the check in desk, where we eventually parted with our luggage and set off to the shops in the airport. While waiting for our plane, we separated from the teachers and got some things to eat. Boots Meal deals are normally great, but it being in an airport? Expensive. I settled on eating my packed lunch made with love from Mum.

We had a look in the expensive shops; of which, there weren't many. In the biggest shop we were surrounded with perfumes, designer bags and sparkly jewellery. And what did I decide to buy? A small toy giraffe... because I felt sorry for it. Its huge purple eyes were so persuasive I couldn't resist! Soon after, we met up with Mr Minshull and Mrs Chisholm again. Our plane was announced so we headed off towards it and waited in the departure lounge. It was a short wait again until we showed our passports and boarded the plane. The company we travelled with was Flybe and the plane was quite small.

As we all sat in our assigned seats, we noticed how empty the plane was. There must have been only a dozen other people? They said after take-off we could move somewhere else, but we had the keep the plane balanced. It was a really quiet plane journey and, for someone who hates flying, quite fun too. I sat next to my best friend, Anna and we read magazines to pass the time. After just over an hour, we were told we were preparing for landing at Düsseldorf. At this point my ears started to kill. I had been wearing my 'ear planes' ear plugs all the time we had been flying, but somehow, they didn't seem to work and as the plane landed, my ears were in agony. Great. (After a couple of days, it passed but the constant popping sound in my ears wasn't fun.)

Now, we were in Dusseldorf airport and needed to catch a type of transportation I'd never experienced. This was the 'Sky Train'. It was so fun to board the train which was being held on a beam high in the air and stand as it twisted and turned along to the train station. Anna and Shannon took pictures of the Sky Trains coming to the platform we waited on.

It was quite a fun sight to see these vehicles coming towards us while up very high in the air. Eventually, we set off for the train to Bochum. Now I started to have a mix of nervous excitement: We were in Germany and going to meet our host families!

The arrival

As we arrived in Bochum train station, we were told to look out for Mirko (the head of Comenius in Bochum). It didn't take long to find him and just as we were about to go down the steps to meet the people we would be staying with, Mrs Chisholm was stopped by a stranger asking why we, from England, would want to come to Bochum. It was quite funny to watch. We then dragged our suitcases down the steps and looked out for everyone. As we turned a corner, there were our 3 families for the week.

I instantly recognised Eliza, who was my host and she was stood with her parents. Here we went over to introduce ourselves to the families. I met Eliza's parents Judith and Maurizio and Eliza's friend, Sophie. We then went to the car and they took me home (dropping Sophie off on the way). I was quite nervous at first but I felt happy that I had eventually arrived and I was with my new family. They gave me the option of what I wanted to eat for tea and we all agreed to go out once we had dropped off my things. When we got to the building, I was shown through some doors and downstairs one floor to where they lived. It was a really lovely flat with 2 floors and a spiral staircase between. I had a mini tour around the house and was shown my own room and bathroom. These were on the lower floor with Eliza's room. The view from my window was gorgeous. A lovely green forest was the view and it surrounded all the buildings.

The first evening

Not long after arrival, we headed into Bochum for a meal. We opted to go for an Italian Pizza place. I ordered a Pizza Caprese (Pizza with mozzarella, tomato and basil) which was absolutely gorgeous! At the restaurant, I got to know the De Matteis family over dinner and found out Maurizio was half Italian. After the meal, we walked back to the car and as we drove home, they showed me some of the main points of interest around Bochum.

Back at the flat, I unpacked some of my things and decided what to wear the day after. Basically I settled in. I soon got ready for bed because by this time it was getting rather late. I talked to Eliza a little about school and what goes on where she lives. It is very different from Wath! After a while of chatting, I went to bed and set my alarm for my first day of school in the morning...

My first full day in Germany — Thursday the 25th November

Good Mornin’

I'm never a morning person anyway and we were on the understanding that it would be a quiet breakfast until we all came round. Maurizio had left for work early so it was us three girls in the house. We had Frosties for breakfast with ‘Ja!' milk and some mineral water.

I was already dressed by this point and just had to straighten my hair before leaving for the school bus. After getting ready, Eliza called me saying it was time to go. We walked to the end of the street and waited at the bus stop for Eliza's friend, Leonie. The bus came and I was feeling like it was my first day of school all over again. I was actually kind of worried about the bus because everybody had a `Schoko card' ('chocolate card'). Eliza explained to the bus driver I was English and didn't own one. He was very nice and let me ride free on the way to school! I found it quite funny how the bus driver had to ask the kids for directions to school — this is because the route had been changed recently.

School Time

As we approached the school, I was shocked at how big it was. Wath Comprehensive isn't exactly a small school, but it looked dwarfed at the side of the 'Bochum Gymnasium'! Eliza explained that 2 schools had been merged into one while their school was being renovated. First lesson was Spanish and we headed there straight away. We stood outside the classroom while Eliza introduced me to her friends until the teacher came.

When their teacher arrived, everybody stood behind their chairs waiting to be seated. Eliza explained we had to leave lesson early to go to Comenius. To say it was a Spanish lesson, I did not understand everything. The way they learn it is different to the way we have. Also, all the explanation was in German: that'll be why I didn't get it! I learnt German for two years but remembering it is hard.

Soon, we had to leave lesson and go to a meeting place where all the other Comenius students were. We were going on a trip that morning so everyone was stood in coats and scarves waiting for the coach (and teachers!) to arrive. When the coach arrived, we all piled out onto the coach. We got the back 2 rows of the coach while everyone else sat at the front. There was a lot of giggling from our end of the coach...

The Power Plant

We pulled up outside the huge power plant in no time. Again, everyone piled out and the coach pulled away to park up. We all headed towards a quite modern building where we were greeted by a tour guide who presented the whole power station to us with a slide show and then took us to see it for real. We went into this long room with a huge oval table surrounded by chairs.

The presentation was very interesting but very complicated too. He presented everything in English when there were only 5 of us who actually were from England. I admired everyone else for listening to it because I know I would have really struggled listening to about an hour long presentation in a different language. After we were told how the power plant worked, we went out of the conference room and went to get a hard hat and a luminous jacket each. It was a funny sight to see us all dressed like this and we looked like complete idiots but it was all for safety (and humour).

We were taken around the power plant and the first bit is where all the local rubbish is put and will be reduced and certain parts reused as energy. The first part of the tour, we actually saw the rubbish being emptied into the power plant. It smelt really bad, but somehow was kind of interesting how it can all help fuel the power plant. We toured all around the power plant learning how the different parts and generators made the whole thing work. It was amazing to hear how this one station can power the surrounding area.

After trading in our funny outfits, we got our belongings back from the cloakroom we headed back to the conference room and said thank you very much to our tour guide: he was so informative. To round off our trip, we had a group photo of everyone in Comenius saying silly words. Then it was time to head back to the coach.

We were told on the bus that lunch would be ready for us when we got back to school. Being in Comenius, we got our meals free. We had a salad on the side with a meal I had never tried before. It had carrots and potatoes and various vegetables. Eliza's friends all came to sit with us when their lunchtime started (we had arrived back early). When we'd finished eating, Eliza asked if I wanted a tour of the school. It is so easy to get lost there with loads of stairs, corridors, doors etc. — like a huge labyrinth!

Comenius

A Comenius meeting was held after lunch. Here we were all split up into groups of mixed nationalities. (There were 4 of us in my group; 1 English, 1 Spanish and 2 German.) We made new friends and we discussed our different projects what we were working on in our countries and how we planned to help the environment. In our groups, everyone wanted to make a film about the Comenius project. We plan to send ideas to each other hopefully to progress with the movie.

There were no more lessons after Comenius, so we headed out of school and went to catch the 'underground'. No buses were available at the time so we caught this tram. I bought a ticket from the machine and it cost 1, 30€. I bought one of these every time we went by this transportation, but I never needed it. However, it was all part of the experience!

The Bochum Weinachtsmarkt

This was the first genuine German Christmas market I went to. I've been to one in Leeds annually but never to one in Germany. I was very excited and didn't let the freezing cold weather get to me. The atmosphere was very jolly and made me feel Christmassy for the first time this year. The stalls were all brightly lit and sweet aromas from various foods wafted around the market. There were so many different foods to try and make – my favourite/most memorable was the Flamkuchen. It is like a really thin oval shaped pizza topped with cheese, tomato with bacon and onions. It had amazing flavour and was really warming in the bitter cold air.

Just before 7pm, a countdown started. At 7pm every night of the market, Santa Claus flies across the market in his sleigh and waves at all the people. There is a voice over that we couldn't understand, but Anna's host Laura and her friend Feli translated it. It was a very cheery time of night. To top it all off, a really light dusting of snow fell that quickly melted.

Afterwards, we bought some chocolate covered fruit, which I've tried before and I'm rather fond of. I bought the strawberry one in dark chocolate but there is a huge range of different ones. When we’d finished eating, it was time to go back. When I went to bed, I was able to set my alarm later than any normal morning. School this Friday was starting at 10.00 and finishing just after 12.00. We had no lessons, just Comenius presentations which I was nervous for the night before.

Presentation day — Friday 26th November

Late starting school

I didn't have to get up early but as soon as I did, I got ready for the presentation ahead. We met Leonie and caught the 'underground' again. It was a very icy morning and made the pavements really slippy.

We didn't have a long day but in Comenius, we got back into our groups and carried on working. Mr Minshull called us over to prepare the slide shows to present to all the other students and teachers. We had brought over our recycled clothes that we'd made into various objects (Cushions, toys, waistcoat etc...) As we presented, these items were passed around for everyone to see our 'quality' products.

It was actually more fun presenting what we had done than we had expected. We got a few laughs about the toys we had made and hopefully the other Comenius students enjoyed the slideshows and didn't find it boring.

We had four different presentations to show. One had a summary, one of our creations and two others full of information. I think they went down okay with everyone and it was actually quite fun to do! After ours, the Spanish put us to shame with the toys they had made. It was a good presentation and they had really good ideas to help the environment.

Free Time

We didn't have any more lessons so we went back home and chilled for a bit while watching IV. Eliza and I put on St. Trinnian's before we got ready to go out in the evening. I was really shocked to find out that singer, Paloma Faith, starred in St. Trinnian's! For dinner, we ate Maurizio's famous Italian pasta sauce. It was delicious and so authentic.

In the evening we planned on seeing the new Harry Potter. Me, Eliza, Anna, Laura and Feli sat on the back row of the cinema in these really big comfy leather chairs. Because the film was the original (English) it cost more (over 9 euros!) but it was worth it.

Christmas Market Day! — Saturday 27th November

Münsster

On the train there, we were scattered up and down the train. We kind of panicked as we saw the ticket lady coming towards us as we were on our own and we weren't in possession of our tickets. We hastily went to stand with our teachers who said we needed to be on a shared family ticket. I didn't have anyone to share with when an 18 year old offered for me to share with him. He was called Leo and had visited London before and thought it was really cool we were visiting Germany on this trip. He didn't know about Comenius but thought it was a really interesting idea.

We have been told in the past how brilliant the German Christmas Markets were. When we visited the 5 markets in Münster, they weren't exaggerating. The food smelt delicious and the things we tried were so different from the things in our culture. Everything was so genuine and the sights are very memorable.

This is where everybody met up on the Saturday and bought souvenirs to take home. I bought a Christmas tree decoration in the shape of a star that looked like ginger bread. It looked perfect on our tree this year! Also, I decided buying postcards with pictures of the market instead of taking photographs because they really caught the essence (and ended up being clearer than any of the pictures I took).

It was a lovely experience and it even snowed a tiny bit again while we were browsing the stalls. It was buzzing with life at the market which added to the excitement.

After a few hours, it was time for us to catch the train back because it was Shannon's host, Julia's birthday party. The train was full of drunken football fans who sang loudly to a vaguely recognisable tune.

Julia's Birthday

When we got back, we quickly got ready to go to Julia's birthday party. It was her birthday on the day we arrived and Shannon and I had been invited to go to celebrate. The party was held in a little hired out room. It had lights and loud music with snacks all on the tables.

The music was all English: most of it had come out months ago in England but seemed to be very popular at the time in Germany. We found it funny that all of the teens knew the words to the songs but didn't speak a lot of English. It was a typical party but seemed to be divided down the middle. It was Julia's birthday and another girl's (Maria) birthday. Their friends didn't seem to get on so dance offs seemed to be a popular choice!

Absolutely loads of pizzas were ordered for everyone: they were quite big and Shannon and I ate half each from one. This was nearing the end of the night when some of Julia and Eliza's friends came over. They kept asking us to dance so I pulled Shannon up and for the rest of the night we enjoyed ourselves.

Pack UP

When I got back, I thought it was a good idea to pack all my things. I gave presents to my hosts thanking them for their hospitality. I took them something to remember me by: Yorkshire tea! Also, Cadbury's chocolate biscuits went down a treat as our nation's favourite. I took some presents for Eliza too like an English magazine and The Kooks CD, because we had been discussing good music, and a scarf.

Time to go home - Sunday 28th November

Brunch with the family

In the morning, before I had to go, we got up early so I could go and visit Eliza's family for brunch. We packed up my bags to put in the car so we didn't have to go back to the apartment afterwards. Before we left their house, they all wanted photographs with me, saying I had been a lovely exchange student and they would send me any pictures they had taken.

When we got to the family, they were very welcoming. I met Eliza's cousins and we played a card game I had never heard of. It was all luck - therefore, I lost. For the food, there were lots of meats and cheeses with bread available. All of them were lovely. Also, scrambled eggs set me up for my long journey back home!

Eliza's Aunt spoke fluent English and Eliza's grandfather used to be an English teacher also. Eliza's Aunt lived in Doncaster for a few years and worked there when she was younger. She didn't realise I lived so close to Doncaster until we got talking.

Leaving Bochum

We left the family so I could meet up with everyone else at the train station in Bochum. Everyone was there chatting happily about our time in Germany. We all had pictures taken with our hosts in the station before saying thank you and goodbye.

We went up on to the platform with our students and Anna's family came up too. Soon enough, the time came to get on the train. The Spanish students were catching the same one to the airport. When we got onto the double decker train it was packed to capacity. We all looked stupid with our suitcases blocking the staircases but we managed to stay upright the entire journey.

The way back: Home Sweet Home

When we got to the airport, we had pictures taken with the Spanish Comenius students and departed as we had to go to different gates. We browsed round a modern looking airport before boarding another small plane. It was a lot fuller than the last plane ride and my ears killed again. Shortly we were back in England and ringing home in a room that said on a sign 'Don't use mobiles' which of course we didn't see until after we had hung up... But we were now home and just two more trains: one to Meadowhall and one back to snowy Swinton. We couldn't believe the weather when we travelled from Manchester to Swinton. Snow was everywhere and in Germany, there was hardly any! Finally, we were reunited with our families. Our trip to Bochum was amazing and is one I will never forget.