In order to get to Pinewoods, the school that is now a new home for me, Janice and I take a chartered bus. It is about an hour ride both there and back, and yes we ride it with the kids that attend Pinewoods. The elementary students sit in the front, and as usual, the older and "cooler" students get to ride in the back. Because Janice and I teach the younger students, we decided to ride in the back and get to know the other kids. Now, these rides to school always make me think of The Little Engine That Could. The hills are very steep, and as the old bus motors up the San Francisco-like inclines, it seems to loose momentum the further up it goes- until finally, it reaches the peak and we all take a sigh of relief. Then comes a large downward slope... and the anxiety kicks in again.
But, today was especially interesting. When I left the school to find the bus I take home, I noticed that our bus was no longer the rickety bus we rode in that morning... it was a DOUBLE DECKER! While I have been on one before, this trip was just especially fun. This time the young passengers sat on the first level with the bus monitor, and all the older and, again, more "cool" kids sat up top. Janice and I went to the top to ride the way home from a different perspective, and of course to hang out with the older students. Thessaloniki is just beautiful! Every time we round a corner, although it was still frightening, the view of the mountains, sprinkled with white, roofed homes, and the Thermikos Gulf just off in the distance made me want to freeze time... or at least stop the bus to get a better view. The older students also add a lively flair to the bus and always make it more exciting. Today we debated what state in the US is better and got the rundown on a few of the famous, local Greek singers. Yes they make fun of our accents... but we always laugh so much that our stop for home often arrives too early! Who ever thought bus rides could be so interesting and fun!
It is usually better to chat with the students or listen to music in order to pass the time, and keep from focusing on the frightening trek through the city. I have listened to "Unmeasured Strength" by Lauren Manning; the story of a 9/11 survivor. It was a great audiobook and I would recommend it to anyone!
But, today was especially interesting. When I left the school to find the bus I take home, I noticed that our bus was no longer the rickety bus we rode in that morning... it was a DOUBLE DECKER! While I have been on one before, this trip was just especially fun. This time the young passengers sat on the first level with the bus monitor, and all the older and, again, more "cool" kids sat up top. Janice and I went to the top to ride the way home from a different perspective, and of course to hang out with the older students. Thessaloniki is just beautiful! Every time we round a corner, although it was still frightening, the view of the mountains, sprinkled with white, roofed homes, and the Thermikos Gulf just off in the distance made me want to freeze time... or at least stop the bus to get a better view. The older students also add a lively flair to the bus and always make it more exciting. Today we debated what state in the US is better and got the rundown on a few of the famous, local Greek singers. Yes they make fun of our accents... but we always laugh so much that our stop for home often arrives too early! Who ever thought bus rides could be so interesting and fun!
It is usually better to chat with the students or listen to music in order to pass the time, and keep from focusing on the frightening trek through the city. I have listened to "Unmeasured Strength" by Lauren Manning; the story of a 9/11 survivor. It was a great audiobook and I would recommend it to anyone!
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