Friday, May 31, 2013

It's Friday, Friday...

So, today we visted the Kletterwald. Talk about an interesting time! After a thirty minute or so train ride we finally get there. Everything was pretty good for the first little bit while we were there. You know, arrive, put on our gear(which everyone looked funny in), and then get properly instructed. There was a llittle drizzle shortly after, but everyone kind of just brushed it off. It happened a couple more times and some people started to head back to the bench area to wait for it to finally stop raining. There was still about an hour left at this point, and another drizzle started. The ones who were already climbing or wanted to keep climbing continued on because everyone was just used to it at this point. That was a big mistake for some. After getting a little way in our courses a heavy rainfall came. This was much worse than what we were used to. The ones who were still climbing had to finish, there was no turning back. Things began to get a little scary for some, and the instructor made us hurry up and finish. We didn't argue. Everyone made it safe and sound to the bench area except for a couple of tree huggers who were too scared to keep moving through their course. Nevertheless, they eventually made it back to the others. We were done at that point, but I think for most it was still a very good time. Later in the evening a large group of us planned to go see a movie, which was hillarious. To those who hadn't seen the other two yet, watch them. That's right, I'm talking to you Adrum. Anywho, it was just another great day for everyone in Berlin. Tomorrow some of us are going to the Baltic Sea, so I'm not to sure who's going to be posting. Tomorrow might just be a quiet day. Anywho, Tschüs!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Well today is day 5 in Berlin and it..........is...........AWESOME!  This morning we went to the Bundestag(not the funnest place in Berlin but one of the most historic)were we learn everything there is to know about Berlins government and history.  They even had headsets that would tell you about everything you were looking out at.  All in all it was a pretty nice trip but not as good as the Kletterwald will be tommrrow.  Eddie-----OuT.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Our Arrival

25.5-26.5

During the first day of our travel, we all arrived at Dobyns-Bennett at 8 a.m. and left at about 8.30.  The drive was long, but make with great people.  In the van, Frau Engle brought games or us that kept us busy for hours.  I, for one, did not sleep a wink during that six hour drive.  The van stopped at a hotel fr about 30 minutes so we could drop it off then we were being wisked away to the Dulles airport by one of the nicest drivers.  We waited for about 2 hours then took off for Iceland.  That was a very interesting journey  They had so many movies and TV shows to chose from that everyone was entertained the whole flight.  I admit to sleeping about 3 hours of this 5 hour flight, waking up once to look at the beautiful sea and the second time when we landed. We only had to wait about 20 minutes for our next 4 hour flight to munich which was much like the earlier 5 hour flight.  When we made it there I was so excited.  We had finally made it to Germany!  The next excitement was short lived, however, when we found out our flight had been cancelled.  We then proceeded to get trapped behind the wrong side of security with only one shop and one small cafe.  This was 6 hours, arguably the longest hours of my life.  Berlin was so close we could taste!  But we where stuck in the wrong city with nothing to do.  After this long wait, we all filled exhaustingly onto our plane for a 1 hour ride.  I barely remember anything from this flight, because I slept like a rock, only waking when we landed.  Then, after a full weekend of travel, we final hit Berlin soil.But, of course, the wait was not over yet, when we had to wait another 30 minutes for our luggage.  the wait proved to be worth it though  when I finally meet my host family.  Fiarra and her father, who insisted I call him Frank, drove me around Berlin filled with sights as well as telling me all kinds of facts about the city.  When we made it to their home, I meet her mother Marianna as well as their two husky's Dina and Quinn.  After giving and receiving gifts I as finally able to wash my body of the disgusting smell of airports.  Then, I finally laid my head down and went to sleep, thinking of all the amazing things that were in store for me.  

Maggie Biggs, Sarah Testerman, Sara Dent and Ty Oreskovic present Sports to 8th graders at our partner school in Berlin


Welcome Party





Monday, May 27, 2013




Just in time for our arrival in Berlin, your complete guide to blending in here in Deutschland:
How to be a German in 20 Steps

Most of these seems pretty accurate to me, but maybe our freshly arrived exchange students and their hosts might like to say which are most and least true...

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Did you know this is the 10th anniversary of the DB-ADO GAPP Exchange? In four short days we will begin round 7. So many great transatlantic friendships since 2003...

Tuesday, May 14, 2013


A little more than a week and we'll be off to Berlin! I thought before we go I'd ask former GAPPers if they have any advice for this year's group or if this year's group has anything they'd like to ask the former GAPPers. Or maybe former GAPPers would like to share their favorite thing about the exchange?

Thursday, May 9, 2013

It's GAPP time again!!


Only a couple of weeks until a group of adventurous Tennessee students head off for the urban wilds of Germany's capital city. This year we're going to try a new approach to documenting our experiences- our very own GAPP blog. All the participants will be invited to be authors and everyone is welcome to post comments. I'll start us off with some (hopefully) thought provoking questions and clips, then once we arrive in Berlin the tone will change to daily experiences and reflections. Enjoy!!