Lugano 2012 - Day 1

I awoke on Monday morning with a sense of urgency. It was time to go to Lugano. The trip for which I had been planning and preparing to lead for months was about to launch and there was no turning back. At 8:00 I arrived at school to begin loading vans with supplies, and around 8:30 the students began arriving. Excitement was in the air as parents mingled, students compared their lunches, and we leaders ran around completing our pre-flight checklists. Assistant principal Shuman gave the students "the talk" and prayed for our journey.

We were informed that one student would not be able to come with us because she had an orthodontic emergency. Within the half hour that we prepared to leave, her fate dangled in the air until it was finally decided that somehow she would catch up with us 2.5 hours south, in Bellinzona. She ended up taking the train, and we picked her up at the station with no problems.

The drive down was much less stressful than it was last year. I suppose having some van-driving experience under my belt (and a year of driving my own car in Germany) helped take the edge off, plus I called dibs on the only van with another adult passenger! Along the way students jammed to my Lugano 2012 playlist, which turned out to be a two-disc special feature. We also listened to Mr. Jeffers' playlist, and I must say he also has great taste in music. We had a phenomenal view of the Swiss Alps during our drive south.

We took a quick potty break where each of us paid 1 CHF (Swiss Franc) to use the facilities. Swiss rest stops require a payment to pee, but then you get a receipt for your "deposit" that can be redeemed in the shop afterwards. So, if six or seven kids combine their potty vouchers, they can afford to buy a candy bar... but it would take 117 vouchers to buy this 5 kilo bar of chocolate!!

Our arrival at Bellinzona was timed perfectly for lunch, and the students scattered on the hillside to chow down and climb the towers. Afterwards they had a short history lesson, began working on an assignment for their history and English classes, and then explored two of the castles in the area: Castle Grande and Montebello.

From there we had a short (less than an hour) drive to our hostel in Pura. I was pretty nervous about this because it was our third choice for boarding, and we had never stayed here before. We really had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be a fantastic place, and now it's in the running for next year's trip! The only two downsides were: only one shower for all 12 girls and 5 leaders to share, and the fact that it wasn't directly on the lake (it's tradition for students to swim - well, jump into - Lake Lugano...).

As students got settled into their rooms, Ruth began working in the kitchen to get dinner ready for everyone. We enjoyed tasty tacos, then gathered to play the traditional "Four on a Couch" followed by worship and devotions.

We couldn't have asked for a better first day. The weather was fabulous, the students enjoyed seeing the castles, everyone pitched in to get things done at the hostel, and we didn't lose anyone along the way! Thanks so much for praying for a great day for us!!