Our time in Ilfracombe

My journal I am writing for the school, documenting the England trip:

I arrived without complications on Monday evening to Exeter airport and was eventually picked up by Sergio (who works at Country Cousins as well) at Barnstaple train station. Soon, I was eating dinner in Ilfracombe with my host-mom Erika, discussing English customs and past students in her house that overlooks the sea. Sergio also rents a room in the house, and along with her Turkish partner, we are quite the diverse family.

On Tuesday I came to the school and saw the students for the first time. Wow! Even in three days I could see the difference in their English skills. I don't think it was that they had already improved a ton, but I noticed that their confidence was much higher and they weren't nervous to speak to me. In the hour I spent with them at lunch, I only heard them speak in Spanish a handful of times, and most of them showed a lot of effort to use what they have been learning in class and at home.

That night we went to the local bowling alley for a wild round of bowling between all 33 of us. Everyone had a lot of fun and really got into the game, even if they were just being silly posing for pictures or laughing at everyone's crazy bowling styles. After a bit of freetime playing foosball and billiards, we headed back to our houses to rest for the big day on Wednesday.

Bright and early Wednesday morning we packed ourselves into the two mini-buses and set off for the ancient Dunster Castle. Although it's a bit far from Ilfracombe, the drive was well worth the wait! Everywhere you looked there were beautiful views left and right: from magestic rocky cliffs meeting the blue sea, to the deep green pastures that blanket the landscape. We passed hundreds and hundreds of sheep, and there were even a few wild horses who were nice enough to model for our cameras.

The 400 year old Dunster Castle was a special site, and with its situation on top of the hill it provided gorgeous views from any window. Inside, the students filled out a small quiz as we passed from room to room, teaching them about the Luttrell family and all the artifacts within the house. It gave the students an idea to what ancient English life was like, and again, the photo opportunities were endless.

From there we had a quick lunch and were off to the towns of Lynton and Lynmouth to wander around the seaside and marvel at the breathtaking views. We also got a lift up the steep hillside by the old cable car built in 1888 and powered only by water. Luckily for us, the weather cooperated and we had nothing but sun and stunning views of the English coast from the top of the hill. We returned to the buses along the narrow Coast Path and made some new friends with the goats who feed off the hillside. By the time we got back to Ilfracombe we were exhausted and ready for dinner

At night the students stayed at home with their families practicing their English, and the lucky ones were able to watch Atletico Madrid win a thrilling victory over Fulham in extra time. Most students seem very content with their families (although it's a little harder for some to get accostumed to the food) and they are getting along well amongst each other. At school, Joe's puppy "Smithy" keeps everyone in a light-hearted mood and it's impossible not to be happy while he's around.

More fun to come soon...