When we stepped out of the hotel early in the morning the weather was like our mood, foggy and sad. It was hard to believe that this would be our last day together. After all of the adventures and great experiences we had, one day in San Francisco was left. But we had great plans for this day. Starting out at Alcatraz, the small island in front of San Francisco which had been a prison for a long time. We heard stories about highly dangerous criminals and saw furnished cells. The audio guide with voices of real former inmates made the stony fort come alive in our minds.
After having lunch at Pier 39 for the last time, we were heading to the second part of our program for the day, the Golden Gate Bridge - probably San Francisco’s most famous monument. Finally we did what most of us were waiting for since we arrived in the beautiful city. We saw it, we touched it, we took pictures of it and we walked it. 1.7 miles of bridge and amazing view of the city. The sun that had finally come out even woke up the last sleepy people and so we said “Goodbye” to the city.
Back in our buses, the awakeness changed again. One could see the impacts of the travel. After two weeks of excitement and continuous program, the time in bus was one of the only times to relax. So, instead of partying, everybody was taking a nap. But we knew the day was not over yet. We would have time for a big party.
At dinner time, the final event started. Everybody was dressed up and eager to have a good last evening. We had pretty yummy food, some nice, touching speeches of students and staff and then we were rocking the dance floor to some more or less good songs only interrupted by the giving away of the awards. All exchange students had voted on categories such as “best english” or “most likely to own a donkey farm at the ground of the grand canyon.” Pictures of the award winners were taken and of course more dancing and more dancing.
But in the end, everything that is good has once come to an end. So we started our farewells. It was hard to imagine that we would not see each other anymore after two weeks of intense travel. I think everybody can understand that this goodbye was not an easy one because we all had so much fun with the great help of our Belo staff and the YFU chaperones. We had adventures together, learned new things, saw spectacular nature and man-made places, and got to know new cultures. It is no wonder that something as great as that ends with some tears.
I hope everybody enjoyed the travel as much as I did and I am sure we will see each other again, somewhere in the world. Good luck to everyone and a safe trip home.
I love you all :)
Lea S. - Germany
After having lunch at Pier 39 for the last time, we were heading to the second part of our program for the day, the Golden Gate Bridge - probably San Francisco’s most famous monument. Finally we did what most of us were waiting for since we arrived in the beautiful city. We saw it, we touched it, we took pictures of it and we walked it. 1.7 miles of bridge and amazing view of the city. The sun that had finally come out even woke up the last sleepy people and so we said “Goodbye” to the city.
Back in our buses, the awakeness changed again. One could see the impacts of the travel. After two weeks of excitement and continuous program, the time in bus was one of the only times to relax. So, instead of partying, everybody was taking a nap. But we knew the day was not over yet. We would have time for a big party.
At dinner time, the final event started. Everybody was dressed up and eager to have a good last evening. We had pretty yummy food, some nice, touching speeches of students and staff and then we were rocking the dance floor to some more or less good songs only interrupted by the giving away of the awards. All exchange students had voted on categories such as “best english” or “most likely to own a donkey farm at the ground of the grand canyon.” Pictures of the award winners were taken and of course more dancing and more dancing.
But in the end, everything that is good has once come to an end. So we started our farewells. It was hard to imagine that we would not see each other anymore after two weeks of intense travel. I think everybody can understand that this goodbye was not an easy one because we all had so much fun with the great help of our Belo staff and the YFU chaperones. We had adventures together, learned new things, saw spectacular nature and man-made places, and got to know new cultures. It is no wonder that something as great as that ends with some tears.
I hope everybody enjoyed the travel as much as I did and I am sure we will see each other again, somewhere in the world. Good luck to everyone and a safe trip home.
I love you all :)
Lea S. - Germany
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| Our boat to take us to Alcatraz! |
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| The weather made the perfect setting! |
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| The beautiful Golden Gate Bridge! |
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| Dancing the night away! |
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