We have just a few hours left in Europe and everyone is busy packing upstairs. We will be leaving the hotel very early for the airport and are scheduled to be arriving in Boston at 2 pm. We will call on the way home so that pickups can be arranged. I'll try to post about our time in Prague tomorrow if there is a wifi connection. We are on our way!

Day 8- On the way to Prague

Long day on the bus today, so not much to tell. We left Krakow a little after eight and began our epic (400+) mile drive to Prague in the Czech Republic. We stopped twice for bathroom/snack breaks and had a group lunch about an hour over the border into CR. There was some fear that we were eating goose because that was the special of the day, but it turned out to be a combo chicken and pork dish. Our restaurant was rustic and had lots of animal pelts everywhere, including on every seat! We got into Prague a little before 5 and got dropped off in the city of center. It was a little busier then the other city centers we have been to (but that might be because it is Saturday) so we will be keeping the group together more. We did a little shopping before dinner in the city and then headed out to check into our last hotel. Tomorrow we have a tour of the Prague castle area, a boat lunch cruise, a short tour of the Jewish sector of the city, followed by our last bit of shopping and final dinner. I will update one more time with pictures before we head home.

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Day 7- Krakow, Poland

We had a jam packed day today and everyone is in good spirits. This morning we got to sleep in a little before going on a walking tour of Krakow. We visited and toured the Catholic Church of Krakow ( considered the most important church in very Catholic Poland) and learned a few interesting Krakow legends. One of them has to do with dragons, and even saw a fire breathing dragon statue below the castle. There is the distinct possibility that some dragon themed gifts were purchased today! Around 11:30 we broke into smaller groups to explore the city. Krakow's main town square was recently voted the most beautiful square in all of Europe- however, it was a little hard to see that today with the mist that seemed to constantly surround us. This afternoon we got back on the bus and went to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, about a half hour away. this was one of our optional excursions, but thankfully everyone agreed to take part. I will post pictures (courtesy of Alex since my camera battery died due to the need for an extensive flash) later, because you cant't really understand what we saw until you see it yourself. The mines are 500 feet deep (stairs down, crazy mine shaft to come up) and are covered in salt. We saw some beautiful cathedrals in the mines- absolutely amazing! For dinner we had latkes and then came back to the hotel. Tomorrow morning we head out on a long bus ride to Prague in the Czech. Two more days!

Sarah Simpson's thoughts

Today was probably one of the most emotional days I have had in a very long time. Visiting Auschwitz today made me realize how much I have, how much freedom I have. Today seeing the camps, hearing what the people went through, has truly touched me. It has made me take a few steps back and think about my life. Any little comment I may have made, or gesture I did, was far from necessary. All of the students today were complaining about the cold weather, or there shoes were wet, not realizing what they have. I am guilty of this as well. I have thought a lot about my actions, and my way of life. I am very lucky for what I have.

Day 6- Krakow, Poland

I am going to keep this brief tonight because I will have a few guest authors tonight. We left Warsaw very early this morning and had a 5+ hour bus ride to Auschwitz. It was a powerful afternoon to say the least, but I think the kids can express themselves better then I can. After Auschwitz, we drove down to Krakow (in pea soup fog and sprinkles) and were dropped off in the city center for a great dinner (Happy Birthday Emily Brown!) consisting of a mushroom soup and a pirogue sampler. Due to a miscommunication (one would think the football players would have their coach's back!), we lost Mr. Nolan for a little while but thanks to his quick thinking we relocated him after dinner. The incident provided some much needed comic relief to the day! On the bus, we watched Schindler's List and in a very fitting moment, we pulled up to Schindler's Krakow enamelware factory just as the credits were rolling. All in all, a very powerful day! Wifi is a bit spotty at our new hotel (and students are in bunk beds!)- Abbey attempted to put up a post for her mom and dad, but the slow Internet deleted it on me before it could load. Tomorrow we will see Krakow, do some shopping, and then go to the world famous salt mines about a half hour from here. Everyone is missed very much!

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