Monday, January 7, 2008, 08:42 AM
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The Barbados Course reports:Posted by Administrator
Today's island orientation included a stop at Cherry Tree Hill (where this picture was taken) overlooking the eastern shore of the island. Students were introduced to many historic and culturally relevant landmarks to be further explored in the upcoming days.
The Italy Fine Arts Course reports:
The Fine Arts Italy Course is finishing up its Rome experience today. Yesterday we traveled on the Metro to the Vatican where we enjoyed an exhaustive and stimulating tour of the museum, including the Sistine Chapel. Later in the day, we made our way through the crowds to St. Peters. Despite a constant rain which has resulted in several of us purchasing umbrellas from street vendors, a few of us made it to the Feast of the Epiphany at St. Peters this morning. How meaningful it was to sit and experience a major feast day in this beautiful cathedral in the city of Rome! Of course, we saw the Pope who also spoke from his apartment after the ceremony. The music was not much like our recording of Palestrina, but what a treat to hear the papal choir, a group of singers continuing the musical tradition from centuries past.
We are enjoying the flavorful food and will continue exploring the enchantment of this ancient city this afternoon. Tomorrow morning we collect for a bus ride to Pompei and then to Naples.
The Peru Heritage Course reports:
We are now in the oasis at Huachachina after spending our first day and a half in and around Lima.
We toured the Catacombs underneath the Church of San Francisco, visited the Plaza de Armas and the Lima Cathedral (where Pizarro, the conquistador of Peru, is buried), and the area around the presidential palace while learning the history from a local guide. The group moved onto the Larco Herrara Museum and was introduced to potteries from the various eras of Peruvian history.
The students were treated to dinner and a show of folkloric dances in Miraflores as their "welcome to Peru dinner". One of our students, Larissa Long got to participate and was "married to el diablo." She played along well and a good time was had by all.
We left Lima on Saturday. On the way to Huacachina we stoppped at a "pueblo joven" called Lomas de Marchan. A pueblo joven is a new town that is quickly established on open land and slowly grows. Elon has visited for three years and has been able to witness the development. The students enjoyed meeting one of the towns elders, learning about the development, and sharing time and marbles with the children. All students said this was an important stop and would like to send photos and donations back next year. We also stopped to have lunch at a large hacienda and were able to view damage from the August earthquake. Tomorrow we will go closer to the epicenter, I have no idea what to expect.
In Huacachina the students are currently out on the sand dunes in buggies and trying their hands at sandboarding. I will update you on the success. I also was able to bump into th other Elon group and spent some time with the professors (Janet MacFall and Greg Haenel). They are all tired from a long trip but look like they are ready to begin their course.
The China Course reports:
We had a wonderful day today. We visited Mao’s mausoleum, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City, and The Temple of Heaven, and in the afternoon, we had a great conversation with students from Beijing No. 2 Foreign Language University. We enjoyed the famous Beijing roasted duck banquet in the evening. Our tomorrow’s itinerary includes the Great Wall of China, The Summer Palace, and the newly constructed Olympic stadium.
The Brazil Course reports:
We spent Friday morning touring Corcovado, the site of the Cristo Redentor statue, newly "elected" as one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. The picture attached is the group with Ipanema and Leblon beaches in the background. Friday afternoon some of the students went hang gliding over these same beaches, a picture of one student taking off is also attached. Today we will work with school kids in Rocinha favela and help the directors of the school with some construction and painting work.
The Brazil class visited Rocinha favela on Saturday where we painted walls at the 2 Bros Foundation and played with the children who attend English classes there. A picture is attached of the group and a few of the kids with some of the favela in the background. It was a very important outing for our class and we have had amazing discussions afterwards.
Today is Monday and we leave Rio today to fly to Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais.
The Hawaii Course reports:
Things are going well here in Hawaii. Our class at UH-Manoa was terrific! We all gained a very interesting perspective of Hawaiian life and current day issues and realities. Since our last entry we have visited 'Iolani Palace. 'Iolani Palace is a hugely important fixture in Hawaiian history. It is the only royal residence on American soil. It was the home and the prison of the last reigning Hawaiian monarch. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, 'Iolani Palace was not maintained and fell into disrepair. In more recent history, the palace has been restored to it's original state. It is a symbol of Hawaiian culture and recovery. It also demonstrates the progressive nature of the Hawaiian people because this building had electricity and telephone before the White House. We also have visited Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial. The events of Pearl Harbor changed the State of Hawaii and the world and has important historical significance. On to Hilo.
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