THE NETHERLANDS MEETING
This was my first intercultural
experience and, although started with nerves
and fear, has proved to be a wonderful experience
After a long journey by bus, plane and train, we arrived
exhausted at the station in Emmen were waiting families with whom we were
staying. At first, because I did not know them and the language was so nervous
she would not come out and the words. When we got home I had prepared dinner
was very tasty but as he had taken something on the train was not very hungry.
Not to make them ugly, I took it. I went straight to bed because all I wanted
was sleep, I needed it.
The day was still nervous and spoke little, but less good
than the day before. That day, at 8.30 had to be at his school because it was
where we came for the bus. It was impressive pile of bikes that had, is one of
the things that has struck me in Holland, exercise while not contaminated with
so many cars. We could not ride bikes to school because it rained a lot.
Already at school, wait for everyone arrived and once the bus arrived they took
us to visit many places one was Groningen
Before going there, we went to visit a dolmen stone, also
a typical mill and later we were watching Groningen: channels, a museum, some
buildings, etc ... but the weather did not accompany us.
After seeing these sites, which were very nice we went to eat at a restaurant
boat is in one of the channels. It was very original, ate well and later had
free time and got some maps so we knew where we had to go back later and not
lost. As we had two hours, I went with Manuel, one of the Spanish comrades who
had come with me, Anja was the girl that I stayed home with Suzanne was another
Dutch and more girls. As I did not know much, hardly spoke and that afternoon,
except as beautiful places I have seen in Groningen… We each in our homes at
about 5 pm and we were resting the day. 
On Friday morning we had to be about 8.30-9 at school, because it was the day
of the debate and presentations. When we arrived there was a list that told us
who were in the group.
First we had the presentations and were fun, later in
groups we were shown around the school to meet him. It was very, very big,
awesome. We were shown around the school to answer some questions and who
chanced more, is wearing a necklace Hawaiian style.
After introductions, we began to prepare for the evening,
we had the great debate in the Public Library. We had 4 classes of 20 minutes
each class, 2 classes before lunch and another 2 after eating. He was going to
discuss two topics:
"If the government had to provide drinking water, free of charge, when
temperatures are very high."
"If everyone had to catch rainwater for your own use." 
In class we explain how we had to prepare, to do well in
the debate. Each had to prepare an argument for or against, on each topic.
Classes were good. Once finished, we went each to our home as we had free time
until 7 we had to be in the library. My afternoon was fun as we went horseback
riding with two other girls, a Dutch (Suzanne) and Turkish (Tilbe). We laughed
a lot and had fun though unfortunately fell Tilbe. Already in the library, we
saw that was awesome because it was big. I was very nervous, because I speak in
public not wearing very well. Once seated and all, each in our chairs, chose 16
people of all countries that had come Turkey, Reunion Island, Slovenia,
Portugal, Denmark, Holland and Spain. In those 16 people who luckily my not
touched me, but Manuel and Sara yes, divided into 2 groups of 8 people, which
in turn were divided these 8 people: 4 people in favor and 4 persons against
the subject they were presenting. 
Ambos debates estuvieron muy divertidos y nos reímos un
montón con los argumentos y las preguntas que se hacían unos a otros, porque a
las personas que les tocó, lo hicieron muy bien, poniéndole humor al asunto. A los
ganadores de cada debate les dieron una especie de termo por haber participado.
Cuando el debate en la gran biblioteca pública terminó, nos fuimos a casa e
hicimos una especie de fiesta con algunas de las personas. Estuvimos bailando y
cantando hasta muy tarde, y así pude conocer más a las personas que fueron a Holanda.
Eran muy agradables y muy simpáticas. Ese día fue uno de los mejores con
diferencia.
The next day, the last day in Holland, in the morning we
could sleep late, but not so late as we had been to go to the ice rink. We left
home and went for Maureen (Dutch) and Jure (Slovenian) and had an hour drive to
where the ice rink.
There we expected more guys, and Manuel among them. When
we entered the ice we saw was huge, impressive and stayed there until 4 in the
afternoon. We got home about 5:30 or so and stayed until 7.30 at home, got
changed and went as beginning at 8 farewell party organized by the Dutch. The
food was very tasty, and the party was well organized. We were there until 12,
we said goodbye to everyone and all that most would not see them and then some
went out partying in Emmen and others went to sleep. That night we had a
wonderful although we slept very little and the next day had to get up early
were very exhausted. 
We arrived at the station where we waited for the train
at 9:30 and we had to say goodbye to the family. We were all very sad because
even if they were a few days we've been there have been the best ever, and it
has taken them fondly very quickly, since you were 24 hours with them. The
family that touched me has been very generous to me, treated me very well and I
hope she comes (Anja) to Spain.
By Elisa Obregón Gutiérrez - 2ºF BACHILLER
IES Santa Clara, Santander. Cantabria-Spain
