Day #12: Monday, February 25, 2019 (Nuremberg/Munich/Boston)

Today was quite the bittersweet day. We woke up, ate breakfast, and loaded the bus for Munich. After an hour long bus ride full of much needed naps, we arrived at the BMW Welt where we were able to sit on/in BMW motorcycles and cars.

Then, we loaded the bus again and headed to the airport. Disaster struck when four members of our group were not given seats on the plane due to overbooking.  As usual, Ms. Freeman utilized her negotiation skills and was able to get these people seats eventually. After spending a little time in the airport, we took a train to our gate and boarded the plane. About six hours went by before [potential] disaster struck again. Due to the winds in the Boston area, our plane hit major turbulence for about thirty minutes which led to babies crying and bags sliding around the plane (at least from where I was sitting in the back row). Eventually the plane landed, we headed through customs, and collected our luggage at the baggage claim.

​Overall, I think I can speak for the entire group when I say that this will be a trip we will always remember, and it feels surreal that it’s over. Good luck to everyone at school tomorrow!

​--Julia

Day 12 of the trip, our last day, students had their final hotel breakfast and boarded the bus. We then had a few hours bus ride to BMW world where we walked around showrooms of cars and motor cycles, getting to sit in them. We boarded the bus for the last time and drive to the Munich airport to catch our flight back to Boston. Just when we thought there’d be no more “excitement” on the trip, the plane overbooked and 4 of our 53 members did not get assigned seats. With the no man left behind mentality, the airline was told that either all 53 of us were getting on board that plane or none of us would and that we would hold up the airplane. Thankfully, we arrived as we predicted and did not stay in Germany longer than planned.


Looking back on these 12 days and nights spent in Eastern Europe, I can certainly say that I’ve never had an experience like this one. Never in my life have I eaten more amazing food, gotten so little sleep, or had so many jam packed days in a row. While the trip flew by, it seems like I’ve been away from home for much more than 12 days. Every day was filled with activities and everyone I’ve talked to agreed that while the days felt long, in some cases spending easily 16 or more hours out, collectively they went by very quickly. Some of the longest days where we walked around cities visiting monuments and museums for hours without stop were the most fulfilling and assured that I got a good night sleep. Exploring cities with small groups and freedom was very fun and gave me a sense of what it would be like to live in these places and not just be in a large tour group.


Thanks to the champerones, we made it from Boston to Germany to Poland to Czechia back to Germany and finally Boston. For me, the days have blended together to form a unforgettable trip that I will look back upon with great happiness. While today’s weather in Boston was not the greatest as wind speeds were immense causing a bit of a turbulent landing, it made to a thrilling end to the trip. A huge thanks to all the chaperones, tour guides, parents, and fellow travelers that made this trip possible and memorable.

--Leah