Tales from Iceland

For our activities yesterday we mainly spent the day napping, being lazy, and avoiding cleaning the cabins. We planned to stay up to watch the Northern Lights, but as you know, things change and the lights didn’t show up. So, disappointed we headed back to our cabins to pack, clean, and try to steal some hours of sleep. In the early hours of the morning we woke up to pack the cars and transport ourselves to the Guest House, Sunna in Reykjavik. The car carrying all our luggage was a little late in meeting up with the group...hard to believe since they were given very clear directions that consisted of "meet you in Reykjavik." Why give directions to the motel when its much easier to aimlessly drive the streets of a foreign city in the hope that no directions/street names/or any other information will naturally lead one to the front door of the small Guesthouse we had booked. To make up for the slow day yesterday we decided to explore the town, shops, and restaurants. To add to the days excitement we went to the spa/pool house in the almost freezing weather. Everyone went straight to the hot tubs to melt all the ice collecting on our faces and hair. Soon the hot tubs temperature was a little too intense for some and they abandoned the hot tub for the tall, curvy, beautiful, epic SLIDE! After that we played in the warm pool, sat around and relaxed. We left for some more food; our group split up into two groups: pizza or sushi. Tomorrow we are leaving for Boston and we will all be home by Wednesday, so cheers to a five hour long plane ride. –Marley and August

1....2...Geyser

The Geyser/Waterfall Trip

Today for our adventure we explored the natural landmarks of Iceland. We witnessed the geysers and the waterfall. Both amazing to observe. The term geyser comes from the town of Geysir,Iceland. The geyser,the only one we saw errupt was pretty explosive with its unpredictable timing. The park brilliantly roped off the areas of the splash zone and the hot water areas, some were recklessly irresponsible and put their fingers in hot water (August). Hundred pictures and frozen fingers later we ventured back to car to head over to the waterfall. To reach the waterfall we walked along a path ,down stairs, along another path to reach as close as we could get to the waterfall. Soon after watching the rapid waters of the waterfall our growing hunger conquered our determination to take photos. We came to the souvenier/cafe to have a nice hot bowl of soup. Bellies full we climbed into our cars and returned to home base to rest up from our exhausting excursion and plan for the next day. by: August and Marley

Outsider observations

As an outsider joining the Chautauqua group on their epic journey, I have the unique opportunity to take a glimpse into the world of this amazing group as they shatter pre-conceived notions and have life changing adventures.

My role in the group is primarily as an observer and representative of Global Explorers…

First the Global Explorers (http://globalexplorers.org) part:
Global Explorers is a nonprofit organization driven by our passion for sharing the most educational and life-changing travel experiences available. As a nonprofit, our programs offer a comprehensive, responsible travel experience designed to genuinely enhance the lives of our participants in the most meaningful way possible. Through the Global Explorers Leading The Way program, embark on more than just a cool trip. Each Leading the Way expedition involves preparatory curriculum prior to travel and a service leadership project after travel. By making necessary accommodations and focusing on what students can do, the program challenges and prepares students to act on the passions they discover. Students set new goals and recognize the value of teamwork. Through their unique stories, each team helps to spread messages of hope and inspiration while breaking down barriers that society has placed between those with and without disabilities.
The more time that I spend with the Chautauqua group, the more I realize what a perfect fit the school is for a Global Explorers experience. I am confident that both Global Explorers and Chautauqua would benefit immensely from the experience.

Now for my first impressions:
Chautauqua students are clearly independent thinkers proving to the world as a concrete example that anything is possible for people of all abilities! While they dance and sing as they ride public transit from Florida to Iceland and back; powered by a little hot chocolate and some Michael Jackson, Chautauqua students are taking the world by storm!

The visit to solihemar

After getting over an exhausting 2 days of traveling, jetlagg and some R&R we went to visit the self sustained eco-village, Solihemar (meaning House of the Sun, please correct if wrong). But first we had to get 19 people over to the village, using only 2 small 5 seating cars in two trips. When we arrived to the little village we fell out of the cars and walked up to the auditorium building to learn some background information on the history of Solihemar. We toured the village and saw all of the activities the residents could do: a herbal work shop, a wood work shop, candle making, weaving, ceramics and artwork. Solihemar is a symbol of harmonious living; it is an ideal comunity to be a part of, with its sod roofs for insulation, its environmental awareness, not to mention its disabled and undisabled integrated comunity. The residents can live in appartments, rented houses, nursing home for the elderly only, or for people whose needs are greater in a house dedicated to them. The school Chautauqua can take back some of the activities Solihemar has while providing an eco-friendly lifestyle. Solihemar highlights the strengths of the disabled by their jobs and making them feel important to the community.

Iceland bound

This blog started in response to our Icelandic adventure that begins in Panama City, Florida and ends in Solheimer, Iceland.
It begins on the journey there. As strong advocates of public transportation, this journey took longer than most. A broke-down Greyhound bus, missed flight, several plane delays, and a 6 hour bus-stop rest later...we made it.
But first there was a night spent in Boston. Here the students and staff of Chautauqua had the privelage of meeting with Dr. Peter Levine at Tufts University, a premier liberal arts university in Boston Massachuetes. Dr. Levine specializes in youth participation and grassroots activity on the political level. His speech to the group inspired us to the possibilities of our generation's political possibilities. The current problems of today's political process will soon be in our hands, to shape and mold as we wish. Policies made today will only be felt by future generations, so political action among today's youth is vital. Historically, such youth voter turnout numbers have been disproportionately low, but the historic 2008 election gives hope for the future. Youth and first time voters came out in record numbers, and this is a trend Dr. Levine hopes to study and apply to future elections.
However...this blog is dedicated, at least intitially, to our trip to Iceland. I hope to start an everyday blog in response to the everyday going ons at Chautauqua Charter School, what would undoubtably be a must read on your "favorites" list...but now let us turn to Iceland!