We arrived safely in Alex last Wednesday (August 15th). Our flights did not seem as long as last year. We met up with another teacher and her husband at the airport in Frankfurt – they live in Alex and had been vacationing and visiting relatives in
Walking around campus the first few days is like a big homecoming. All the workers are so happy to see returning staff. They will stop whatever they are doing and welcome us with open arms and big smiles. Monday evening we walked the neighborhood and said hello to the local shopkeepers that we came to know last year.
It has taken us a little while to overcome “jetlag”. Unless we take something, we stay awake until 3 or 4 in the morning and then get back up at 7. You would think at some point soon our bodies would adjust. We are going to try to sleep tonight without anything.
We have a large number of new staff (11). Many are young and beginning their first overseas teaching assignment. The new staff is very enthusiastic and we look forward to getting to know each one better. All of the returning staff has arrived back as well. It is fun to listen to the experiences that each had over the summer. We do miss those staff members who did not return this year – they were a special group and we feel fortunate to have spent the year with them sharing many special memories. Guess that is the nature of International Education – one of attractions is the opportunity to experience teaching in many different cultures.
We have settled into our new apartment – no more 74 steps up and down!! We are in a separate little building just a stone’s throw from the main apartments. It is larger and more open than our previous apartment. We even have an extra bedroom for those of you who want to travel over to visit us! When it cools down a little we will really enjoy our little enclosed porch! We will post pictures as soon as we get everything in order.
Again this year, the campus is a buzz with various projects prior to the start of school. The cafeteria was redecorated and now it looks like a fine restaurant. Most all of the classrooms, along with the exteriors of the buildings were given a fresh coat of paint. The workers are busily finishing up a major renovation of the student canteen. When everything is finished, the school will be a sparkling showcase in the heart of
We began our staff orientation on Sunday. The first two days have been devoted to “Standards and Benchmarks”. Those of you in education probably remember the days of developing these fondly!! Fortunately, I was able to “duck” out a few times to deal with some technology issues while Pat has been able to get to work setting up some elementary classrooms. One teacher is not returning until September 2nd so Pat has been getting her room ready for the start of school.
