Bon jour! Oh no… that was yesterday in Paris.
Guten Abend! Unser Besuch kultureller Austausch mit Studenten an der Schule Haldensleben hat offiziell begonnen! (Good evening! Our cultural exchange visit with students at the school Haldensleben has officially begun!)
We arrived last evening and the host families were waiting for us at the train station. After many hugs and salutations from their counterparts, the students were off to dinner and sleep with their hosts.
Today was our first full day in the town of Haldensleben. Our students were up bright and early arriving at school in time for a 7:30 breakfast meeting with the principal of the school. Following a very warm welcome and some genial time with the school administrator, the students headed off to classes to be introduced and spend time with middle school students (5th & 6th grade). After two 45 minute class periods, we had a rehearsal to prepare selections for our first performance of the tour. However, that rehearsal was briefly interrupted by a reporter from the local newspaper. A story about the exchange visit and our performances will be shared with the community here before our Sunday concert.
We took the train to Magdeburg and toured Dom zu Magdeburg (Magdeburg Cathedral)
After a very nice and informative tour… sharing facts about the architectural structure of this edifice and the founder (Saxon King Otto I), we were privileged to perform three selections in this magnificent sanctuary space. We sang three a capella selections: Sing Dem Herrn, Siyahamba, and Little Innocent Lamb. Our students sang very well and drew an appreciative audience of tourists who were visiting the Cathedral.
From the church, we headed to dinner and shopping. On the way, we toured around Magdeburg Festung. The fortress of Magdeburg was the beginning of the 18th Century to 1912 to the strongest fortresses of Prussia. The first fortifications of Magdeburg can be traced to the 13th Century.
A few more sites: Zitadelle Magdeburg (Citadel Magdeburg)
After dinner, we took the train back to Haldensleben and students spent the remainder of the evening with host families. I know your children can’t wait to share the experiences of their first here… but, they are probably asleep by now. Another 7:30 start the school day tomorrow and everyone should be prepared to present a lesson about Virginia Beach, VA. I’m sure they can’t wait to tell you how that goes as well. Good night. (Guten nacht.)
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