We left Lewisburg, Pa on June 28th
for Brussels. It was technically a fourteen-hour trip but we were only flying
for eight hours because of the plus six-hour time difference. We moved into our
apartment on July 2nd. Very close to our apartment we have a boulangerie (French for bakery),
chocolaterie (chocolatier), papeterie (bookstore), and a bus stop.
[Ed. Greenwood sixth grader Ethan and his parents, Ken and Sandy, are on a year-long sabbatical in Brussels, Belgium and traveling throughout Europe. We are glad to share this update from Ethan to our Greenwood community. Note to the whole family—we miss you; travel safely!]
London
We rode on a train to England through the Chunnel (channel, tunnel). First we got to our hotel with a one hour taxi ride (and everyone was driving on the wrong side of the road), and at the major intersections they had signs on the road that said “look left,” or “look right” because they drive on the wrong side of the road. We went on a bus tour around London after figuring out the metro, bus, and commuter trains. We saw Big Ben (not really because that’s the name of the bell), London Eye (didn’t have the time to go on), Tower of London (very cool), and then we got on a boat to go back to our hotel. We went to the British Museum, then we went back to Brussels.
Next stop… Cologne
There’s not much to see in Cologne except the big church. It had approximately 350 steps to the top of the tallest tower and there was a maiden at the top (no there was not, but there was a very good view).
Next stop… Amsterdam
We took a canal boat ride and went to the Van Gogh Museum. (We only had one day here and Cologne.)
Next stop… Paris
We went to Paris directly from Amsterdam. It was a four-hour train ride and 3 of those hours were spent getting out of the Netherlands because in the Netherlands they don’t have high-speed rails yet. In France we traveled at over 200 mph! On the first day we went to the top of the Tour Eifel (I’m guessing you know what that is, but here is a hint. Hint: big tall metal structure). It has 50 tons of paint on it and they repaint it every 7 years. Next day we went into the Louvre (biggest art museum in the world) and the day after that we went on a walking tour with an American who visited Paris and decided to stay there. On the last day we were there we went to the Musee d’ Orsay (another art museum) and the Champs d’ Elysees (pronounced in French as Chons De Elysay).
Next stop… Salzburg
We walked around all day and at night we saw an opera called Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) and we liked it (the marionettes might have helped). On the next day we saw a symphony; then, we went to a castle (or festung in German). Then on the next day we went on a hike and took a tour of a salt mine (Salzburg means salt fortress), which was so cool. We learned all about salt and went down slides in the salt mine and everything was in four to ten languages.
Next stop… Vienna
On the first day we went to Haus der Musik (house of music). The next day we went on a bus tour then went to a palace and a hedge maze in the palace’s garden. On the day after we went on a train to Linz then rode bikes to Enns then took a train back to Vienna.
Next stop… International Montessori School
School started on Tuesday the first of September. I take the city bus and the tram (streetcar) to school each day, and after the first two weeks, the schedule became normal. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I went to a different school location than on Thursday and Friday. Every day I have only three classes that are two hours long. Each week I have Math, English, French, Science, Biology, Art, Social Studies, Technology, and Gym. This school is a lot like Greenwood. It is very pleasant and easy-going.
I have gone many other places in Europe (including Hamburg, Berlin, and Prague) and experienced many languages: German, French, English, Czech, and I’m sure when we go to Italy and Spain I will add two more to that list.