As the team members are all on their host families stays, it is my turn to take the keyboard. Thursday was spent mostly on the coach traveling from Paris to Luxembourg. We stopped at the Reims Cathedral in France where most past French kings were coronated then again in Bastogne, Belgium. Two lovely stops before our meeting with the host families.
Jason was in the first group to meet their families at the stop in Schumann. Everyone was on time and picked up and away they went. We then headed to the town of Ettlebruck to make our second host family meet-ups. Hannah, Kaitlyn and Jess were all scheduled to meet their families here. Again all the meet-ups went smoothly and everyone left to enjoy dinner and learn about life here in Luxembourg.
The team coaches and chaperons traveled from Luxembourg City this morning to meet up at the Luxembourg National Show and see how the first night with the host families went. Jason is staying with another guy on the trip and their family lives in a little village. Hannah is staying with one girl from the trip with a woman who is a nutritionist and lives in Germany. Kaitlyn is staying with two other girls from the team at a 55 cow dairy farm. The girls have an apartment across the road from the family to allow them a little recoup time Jess is staying with one other girl from the trip and their family is involved in the feed and equipment sales side of the dairy industry. I'll save the details of their stays for their own words, but needless to say they are learning a lot and seem to be having a good time.
We spent today at the Holstein Show where the judge was from Switzerland. The team participated in a judging contest consisting of a class of 7 Holstein cows. One person from Wisconsin gave reasons over the loudspeaker. We spent the rest of the day caring for animals in the sale tent and then helping lead animals to and from the sale ring. A tremendous catalog was put together for this show, some great cow families, terrific pedigrees and high genomics. The team members are with their families tomorrow, but we will touch base with them again at the barbecue hosted by the young farmers back at the show grounds.
England photos from my camera are posted: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marylanddairy2008/sets/72157627080174732/
Photos from France are uploading tonight, but will be available here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marylanddairy2008/sets/72157626964675955/
~Kiera
3 comments:
Is it as hot there this year as last? I know we about wilted a the show!You didn't take to sleeping on benches did you?Things are starting to wind down now and I'm sure parents are counting the days til they see the kids! Hope all are well and are having a great time.
Sounds like you all are having a fun time! We've been enjoying the photos...I especially like the funny candids of the group. ;)
Someone from Wisconsin was reading the results huh? Interesting...
Love the photo of the team and the red telephone boxes, beautifully choreographed!
I am glad you are enjoying your National Marylands European Vacation!but you are all working hard too.Enjoy the experience.
Post a Comment