The End of Week One

It has now been a week since we have been here. It's nice to have three more weeks and not feel rushed to see everything as I often feel when on vacation. We're learning a lot and we're exhausted. Yesterday we switched cities, host families, and host clubs. We are now in Wassenaar. The club in Delft had a nice little farewell party for us and the new club picked welcomed us with great energy. To transport us here, they sent a van for our luggage and a separate car for us! ha! As soon as we arrived, we met our new families and then attendd a classical concert performed by young students from the conservatory. This morning we went to the Keukenoff, which is a huge garden with thousands of different types of flowers. We also visited some of the flower fields which are just amazing. Today is Memorial Day here which remembers those who died in World War II. We were asked to particpate in a cermony at the local memorial. We marched to the statue, had two minutes of silence, and then laid a wreath at the base of the statue. The mayor and several other prominent leaders in the city were there and a reception followed. Tomorrow is liberation day and a day of celebration.

We have had several vocational visits, which have all been very informative. I have visited two colleges so far and have learned a lot about the education system here, which is quite different than our system. Students choose an education path at the age of 12 (or maybe 14, I have it written down somewhere). I can't imagine knowing what subject I would like to study at such a young age. We also visited several homes for the elderly and learned a lot about the healthcare system here. Tomorrow we are going to a bioscience center and then to have high tea and then we have another presentation to give. There is very little free time...which leaves little time to blog. I'm off to bed but wanted to add a picture.