maandag 20 april 2009
Adventures!
We had a good start to our trip in pleasant and especially dry weather. The atmosphere in de bus was fine, also due to a couple of episodes of the series Friends. Even I was pretty delighted about the choice of the series, having bore numerous episodes, or rather assaults of the truly Oscar-worthy (...) series of Sex and (or was it 'in') the City on previous expeditions.
Sunshine is often followed by rain, in our case a true down-pour, which doesn't matter much while travelling. More troublesome is a turbo-engine giving in. Just ahead of the St Gothard tunnel, and not in it, some students in the back suddenly heard a high noise quickly succeeded by a bang. Not a flat tire but a loosened pipe of the turbo-engine seemed to be the problem. From then on our speed was limited to a mere 50 kilometres per hour. A bit of a bother with a tunnel of seventeen kilometres ahead as well as some slight inclines. Anyway, the mechanic managed to repair the damage in half an hour after a two and a half-hour wait. We did entertain ourselves while waiting, we even did some limbo dancing! The gps indicated a restaurant within walking / climbing distance, so we could gain some time by having dinner there. A strenuous and exciting trip up towards the mountain tops was rewarded with a meal in a restaurant where the tourist season had not yet set in but where we were welcomed. Upon return dusk had set in which made our descent even more of an adventure. The mechanic had just finished when we got on the bus, and our relief was stressed by a warm applause. A touch too soon, as after a kilometre down the Gothard tunnel we were in trouble again. This time the mechanic had followed us, and a second attempt - much thumping and banging - allowed us to continue the journey once again.
Four hours later than planned we finally arrived at our destination. We were happy to find the hosting families were awaiting us very patiently. Quite an experience - one student inquired whether these were situations we had to deal with on a regular basis, expressing his appreciation of our unwavering optimism...I am sure we all enjoyed a good night's rest and were not much bothered by the rain the next day as the weather could only get better. This is the start of yet another adventurous international project, we can't wait for the week ahead!!
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