Lugano 2011 - Day 4

Sadly, our time together in Lugano had to come to an end. On Friday the kids did a super speedy job cleaning up the entire hostel and then we packed up the vans to head out. Our first stop was the Alprose Schokoland chocolate factory.

They offer free admission and chocolate to groups over 10, so this has become a regular stop on the Lugano trip. Last year we visited on a holiday, so while the factory was open, it wasn't running. BOR-ing. So of course, I geeked out just a little, watching the chocolate get molded, wrapped, packaged, and inspected for quality control.

Quality control - he tossed a lot of perfectly good chocolate!!

Free chocolate? All I can eat? OK!

Boys will be boys

We had lunch in downtown Lugano, where the kids posed for a group photo by the lake, explored the lakefront shops, and played with Italian kids in the park.

We're missing one student, who got sick the day before the trip :(

And you thought only old men play chess in the park!

Middle School Principal, History teacher, Science teacher

From there it was supposed to be smooth sailing for the next few hours until we stopped for dinner at McDonald's. Unfortunately, we were forced to pull over just before entering the Autobahn due to some very scary noises coming from one of the vans. We spent the next ~3 hours calling for help, melting in the sun, and waiting for roadside assistance to arrive. Finally, we drove to the next exit and found a gas station, emptied out the broken van, filled up the few extra seats in the other vans, and left two students behind with a teacher to catch a train back to Kandern. The rest of us drove home, finally arriving in Kandern at almost 11 pm! The BFA parking lot was a welcome site to me after a very stressful day on the road, and the students were thrilled to see their parents after four days away from home.

German law requires you to carry a little safety triangle/cone in your car at all times.
Good thing we follow the law.

Spy picture borrowed from a student's Facebook.

Waiting at the gas station. Also borrowed from a student's Facebook.

Overall, we have a TON of things to be thankful for - God provided beautiful weather, safety, great food, fun and fellowship with the students, and memories they will carry with them for many years. Now that a week has passed since the trip, we are down to three official teaching days, three exam review days, and two exam days. Let the craziness commence.