4:52 PM
CIAO people! I'm currently suffering from jetlag! And it feels terrible. Well,actually im not the only one. Ravetha and Ain have the same problem too! We are awake when others are sleeping and we are sleeping when others are wide awake. This is so hilarious. And i heard that many of the others are sick. Do take care alright :D Ok, i think its high time i start on my reflection. Altogether, we have toured 4 countries. Mainly Qatar,Germany,Austria and Italy. The Cities that we visited were Doha,Munich,Salzburg,Venice and Rome. Firstly on Doha, I have learnt and realised a lot of things from the city tour in Doha. Doha is actually a city built in the middle of a desert. This is so amazing! And Doha only has a population of 1 million people. One interesting fact that i have learnt is that men in Doha are only allowed to marry up to a maximum of 4 wives.If they marry a fifth one,they would be sent to prison. First,we visited the camel farm and the tour guide there told us that camels were sold and bought for their meat and milk. We also visited the Equestrian Club, which was something like Singapore's turf club. All the horses there were racing horses and they go through physical training almost everyday. We got the chance to see one of the horses swimming in a pool. This exercise was to build up the horses' stamina and muscles. The horse was panting heavily and i really pitied it because it didn't seem to be swimming on its own accord. It was like being forced to do it. Next up was the falcon market. Falcons were sold and bought and over there in Doha,keeping falcons is like a form of expensive leisure which only the rich could afford. When we went into the shop to look at the falcons,we saw that they were being chained up and their eyes were covered. This is to keep the falcons from escaping and their eyes were covered so that they would not be agitated or scared when they see so many tourists. Next up is Germany. During our stay in Germany, we visited the swan castle,Dachau memorial camp and had our school exchange. At the swan castle(Hohenschwangau castle), we learnt about King Ludwig II and that he was the last king who ruled Germany. His officials insisted that he was mentally illed and thus fed him with medicine. He was found dead in the swan lake with his doctor one day and his death is still a mystery up till today. The next place that we visited was the Dachau Memorial Camp. Visiting this campsite was really an unforgettable experience.This camp was the first concentration camp. It was like travelling back in time and we found out how Hitler mistreated or tortured the Jews and other Germans during the concentration camp. The prisoners were forced to do labour work and they were given only very little food to survive with. Millions of people lost their lives and dignity in this camp. Those who survived this camp were really very lucky. We had the school exchange the next day and it was fun.The name of the school is Gymnasium Bad Aibling.A Gymnasium is a type of school people study in if they want to go to University. We were introduced to German education and their way of life in school. After the exchange program,we headed to the Marienplatz. We were given 6 euros each and 4 hours of free time to explore the place on our own. And we had to get our own lunch with the money given. We also learnt about the new and old town hall,the column of the holy mary and the fish fountain. The fish fountain is used once every year during the new year. People would wash their purses and wallets in the fountain to start the good year with more wealth. Next up was the Durnberg Salt Mine. We learnt how salt was produced in the past and how Salzburg developed as a country after the discovery of salt. The next day, we took a water taxi to Venice. Venice is an island and there are no cars or vehicles over there.People and tourists who want to leave or enter Venice would have to take the Gondolas or water taxis.Venice is also a tourist attraction.However,due to global warming,Venice is going to sink and disappear in another few years. This is sad! because Venice is really a very beautiful place.So people!Start saving the earth! Reduce,Reuse and Recycle! The last two places that we visited were The Vatican City and the city of Pompeii. In the Vatican City, we visited the Saint Peter's Basalical and the Sistine Chapel. through the tour in the Vatican city, i have learnt a lot about the Roman catholic culture. I think that this is something new to me as i am a budhist and i don't learn about Catholism often. We also visited the Colosseum where gladiators fought in the past. Prisoners were also forced to fight against each other or with wild animals like lions and tigers.Winners could walk out as free men and losers had to die.This served as a form of entertainment to the locals and tourists there. In my opinion,this is really a very cruel act. People were actually enjoying themselves at the expense of the prisoners' lives. They sold their souls for entertainment. Our last stop-the city of Pompeii. We toured the city which was once destroyed by the disastrous volcano eruption of mount Versuvius. Many Pompeiians died because they were living near volcanos. They didn'e know that it was a volcano. They thought that it was only a mountain with extremely fertile soil. Thus, they were not prepared at all when the volcano erupted. We also had the opportunity to climb Mount Versuvius! It was a tiring but fun and exciting climb. Overall,i have learnt alot of things like time management. Time management is really important as we counldn't be late for any of the activities.i have also become a more independent person. Without my family with me for the 10 days, i have learnt to take care of myself and get everything done by myself. I also realised that there are some things that we can only rely on ourselves to get it completed. I have also experienced the importance of friendship.During the trip,i had motion sickness and i am really thankful to those who have helped me. Like Kahmin and ain,they knew that i wasn't feeling well and they helped me to carry my luggage and somehow took care of me. Rachel and May too. They offered their medicine to me and Ravetha and helped whenever they could.Thanks people. I really appreciate your help :D I am also happy that i have made new friends. Lastly, i wanna thank the teachers for organising this Europe trip.Especially Mdm Eunice Koh,Miss Sazryna and Mr Gavin Lee. Without them,i wouldn't have the chance to visit such a nice country like Europe and learn so much more which i can't get from textbooks. Also! i have learnt quite alot on geography although i am a literature student.I feel really previleged to be able to go on thid trip.Thank you teachers,for entertaining us too. I would also like to thank the other 15 students who went for the trip. Without them, the trip would not be as exciting and fun. We enjoyed each other's company and we helped each other in times of need. During the 10 days,we went through thick and thin together. And not forgetting Mr Dan,our tour guide and Mr Jani,our bus driver.Without them,our trip would not be complete. Thanks again.
Love,Heather
Europhiles :)