Liz's journal

5/31/99 No Place Like Home

Well, as i had said the day we left, there is really
"NO PLACE LIKE HOME"

It is wonderful to be home. I went back to school 2 weeks ago,
doing spelling tests, science and reading more great books. My two
teachers are great, Mrs. Bayha with her baby still due in late June and Mr.
Chapman as active as always.

While we were gone our computer teacher was having great fun using a wall
out side her class room to keep the school uopdated on our trip. It is where all the
younger students pass as they head off to the bus. "They always want to
learn more" said Audrey jJones our computer lab teacher.
My mom thought it was great and Garnet's teacher said it was more of a school
thing.

The first week went and came. At Friday morning meeting we got welcomed
back. Always nice to be home.

Not to mention that my homeroom teacher likes to do a lot of projects at one
time which I happened to come in the middle of them all.

Well two weeks has come and gone like a flash of lighting. We are hoping
for the 82 F for tomorrow. Of course it is Memorial Day. I came back just in
time for all the summer activities for 6th grade. I am allowed to be in the
parade and play the bass drum. Well it is always nice to be home.

No Place Like Home

5/9/99 A Visit with the Hathaway's

Today we went to Anne Hathaway's cottage. We saw her cottage and her garden.
It was very exciting to know that that was where Anne and William
(Shakespeare) sat. They even had the plates that they used so long ago.

It was quite a line. As we entered Ephraim asked if since we were
Hathaway's that maybe anything would happen.

"Yes they should get a discount or something!" the lady behind us in line
said.

The lady gave us papers that I had gotten for free at our hostel. Well
another surprise in the day.

We walked in the house after a half hour wait and got a tour. We met our
guide Rebecca. She friendly and funny. She told us that I.H. ( back then
there was no J) and E.H had been carved into the chimney. I.H. meaning
John Hathaway and Elizabeth Hathaway. It was quite spine chilling when your
initials have been carved into a 500 year old chimney.

We explored the upstairs and saw the beds and furniture that had been used
by the family. Then downstairs to the history room where they displayed a
linen sheet that E.H. sew into it. Thought to be Elizabeth Hathaway.

Who knows.

5/3/99 Tropical Paradise

As we rode the bus to a island off Greece I saw a beach and a beautiful colored ocean. As normal we had to wait while Jessi and my Dad got us a room. Groups of kids passed us as we sat on the sidewalk enjoying the view. We had been told by our friend in Moscow that Greece was a tropical paradise. I was ready.
My Dad came back with a key in his hands, we went to the room and sat down and changed into shorts. Our three rooms had beds and a desk. Of course a deck to see the ocean. I was excited and ready for the tropical paradise.

3/1/99 Camel Riding

The camel was lying down. Jessie, a nine year old girl who has been riding since she was two, told me to get on it like a horse and lean back. But, the camel lying down was higher than a horse standing up. She told me, "this camel is an ex-racer" and all I could think about was the horse that ran off with me in New Zealand.

First, the camel lifted its two front legs up. I got tossed around in the saddle. Then it lifted its hind legs. I rocked back and forth but finally he was standing straight up and I felt like I was standing on the CN Tower looking down at everything below me.

We rode around for awhile. He started to go a little too fast at one time. Jessie grabbed a hold of him. But, she is only three feet tall and only came up to the camels knee. I could only think about when my other horse went wild on me and I fell off. Finally, she got control of him. She surprised me because she is so small and could still control him. I guess at nine years old and only three feet tall it’s pretty awesome that she could stop the camel.

Getting down was a little bumpy. The camel kneeled down on its front legs and I felt like I was going to fly off the front. But, I leaned back and soon I had both feet on the ground and a big smile on my face.