I truly fall more and more in love with this island. 

But as important as all these spectacular events were, the things that I learned when I had talks in a personal way with Michel today were even more important. Once again he explained lots of different aspects about Guadeloupe culture and especially the music to me – I’m so happy about that! I’m also really fascinated about his way of life, his consciousness and the priorities he sets for his life. 

Cultural awareness – not just today but this entire week was about culture.

         The most important competences during these past few days, for me, were social and civic. Here we are a small group of teachers who know each other for only 5 days and we were working together to “survive” the rainforest experience. We were helping each other, holding our hands not to fall down, sharing our clothes, raincoats, shoes, backpacks, food. In such a short time, this island helped us to develop a sense of community. We are all different but there is so much respect to everyone’s culture and background.

         This was the day when even the “odd one out” felt a part of the group. 

As Dr Seuss says: And will you succeed?

                            Yes. You will indeed!

                            (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)

                            KID YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

                            Oh, the places you’ll go!

When walking again to the rain forest we even didn’t know what to expect. At the end of the route we found a hot spring which was as amazing as it only can be. Being together in hot water in the middle of almost nowhere was another wau. Sharing the experiment with each other felt good. It was good to see that there where even families walking together. Everyone was smiling when walking and greeted each other. It was also nice to notice that there wasn’t rubbish in the forest.  

We also learned a lot of manioc flour making. And we visited a rum distillery and saw the hole interesting process.

I got lots of new knowledge, a wau-feeling together with others and many thoughts how to use and share what I have learned today.

Today was again a day full of experiences. The diversity of plants in the beautiful rain-forest and how they all grow on and between each other in a symbiotic way made a great impact. How do the epiphytes can survive on the other plants?   How wise the nature is arranging such a symbiosis? And the enormous strength of the waterfalls was of course something great to see. On the way to the hot spring there was a question of “mind over material”. It was hard work to struggle to the hot spring but it was definitively worth it. That made us think what kind of situations we could arrange to our students to create such a feeling of winning yourself than we had when we finally arrived to the spring. What a wonderful feeling it was to dip in in the hot water! And the rain forest showed it´s power by wetting us with a heavy rain. 

The day was fulfilled with a visit to a manioc factory and a rum distillery. Lots of new knowledge and experiences! 

I chose today as my key competence mother tongue. It will be interesting to develop it in one project. 

Nature showed us it’s strength after we had reached to the hot fountain. We all Europeans sitting in the hot water discussing our key competences at school waiting for rain to stop but it didn’t. The trail had been challenging but heavy rain gave it even more challenge. We couldn’t realise that heavy rain raised the water in the river a lot and suddenly we had to hurry up. Flow got stronger and we had to really contrate when grossing the river. Feeling of enjoyment changed in a minute to a strong feeling of excitement almost fear. We ended up safely but wet from the trail, this experience I won’t forget.