homeward bound

Hi Y'all,

This is (hopefully) the last message from us in the USA. We are about to
board the bus for Orlando airport.

Paulina and Jonathan got away OK, so it's just 22 for the return journey.

See you Weds morning.

Cheers


David

Great Contrasts

Hello again,

I've taken the chance to catch my breath, and come home from Disney early
today ... left the others there to enjoy!

Today's Disney YES programme was very good, at least for my group. We had
a very good tour guide/educator from Peurto Rico who told us lots about
the Animal Kingdom, while we were walking around. She gave us ear pieces
with radio receivers so we could hear all she said while we were in the
crowds or on a ride ... very cool gear ... Alex N thought he was some kind
of spy. Marie (the guide) hit just the right humorous but informative
note, whereas I think the other group's guide grated a bit.

The Animal Kingdom Park is huge, could contain all the others combined,
mainly to let the animals have room to roam. We went on the East-African
safari which is the closest you'll get to seeing the animals in the wild
without actually going to Africa. We were asked to tick off the animals we
spotted, something Disney staff regularly do in order to check whether
tourists are actually seeing the creatures. For example, we did not get to
see the Okapi or Baboons, so the Disney folk will work on training the
animals to move in sight, or alter the vegetation so that they can be
seen.

Then we went behind the scenes, to the animal's night barns. A mother and
baby rhino were there, waiting for the baby to be strong enough to go out
on display. One of the adult male elephants was getting a hose down and a
bail of hay too. Marie talked about all the careers associated with the
zoo and park generally ... she is a nutritionist, and works out the exact
food requirements of a variety of species. We saw where the food boxes are
weighed and made up ... same quality food that is served to the human
guests! The kids in my group really enjoyed the tour, especially as we got
to go to the front of the queue at the Everest roller coaster too!

Yesterday we had a very good visit to Dr Phillips High School, with the
kids connecting very easily with their buddies, who were keen to talk, and
loved the New Zealand accent. They went to a variety of classes depending
on their buddy's timetable ... English, European history, calculus, music,
chemistry, environmental studies, psychology etc. They were impressed with
the range of subjects available and the good behaviour of the students ...
although we were only at the senior end of the campus, most students in
their last 2 years of school. The lessons we saw were very 'teacher
centred' preparing the students for high stakes exams, so drilling them on
exam technique. Mr Barrows, our contact there told us that teacher unions
originally supported Obama, but now he is driving through 'merit pay' for
teachers they are turning against him. There are no guidelines as to what
constitutes a good teacher, it is up to each district to work out out!
Leaving the school the kids were hard to separate, chatting away to their
American buddies, Jonathan stoically endured a parting hug from his
enthusiastic female partner.

Then it was to Kelly Park, a beautiful natural spring north of the city.
Lots of locals there which was good to see ... American families with kids
of all ages enjoying a simple picnic and swim in the springs. Florida sits
on top of a huge aquifer system, that's where the water supply comes from,
and there are springs all over the place. Although it was natural our kids
were surprised to find about a kilometer of boardwalks and concrete edging
at the main pool area. As usual Ashleigh and Paulina were first in the
water, floating down from the spring source to the lower bridge ... took
about 15 min. We talked to one family who were grabbing hand fulls of
stones from the bottom and sifting through them. The parents said they'd
been doing this since they were kids, and were now sharing the experience
with their kids ... looking for fossil shark teeth, and showed us several
they'd found that day. So it was a good couple of hours to relax under
green trees with blue sky above, splash in the water or snooze on your
tube.

Then off to Amway Arena for the 7pm basketball game ... well some
basketball was played amidst all the other entertainment. The chief aim of
our crew was to wave their "Go Magic" cards, and make enough noise to
attract the camera's attention and get on the big screen .... which they
managed several times. They quickly became converts to the cause with over
half of them buying Magic T-shirts ... we're doing our bit to boost the
economy. They failed to grab any of the t-shirts fired into the crowd, but
not for lack of trying, and fortunately 'Kiss TV' did not pick on any of
our group. The indoor blimp dropped some give-aways tantalizingly close,
but they just fluttered away, and the cheer-leaders, school acrobatic
groups, and half time promotions were interesting. And, oh yes, the Magic
won by over 20 points. Seeing the sheer size of the giant players was
impressive though.

So, Kennedy Space Centre tomorrow ... hope they're not too spaced out at
this stage.

Cheers

David

Disney

Greetings all,

We are well settled into life in Orlando now, all proficient at catching
the public buses, buying food at the supermarket or fast food places ...
pizza seems to be the regular fare for many, take away or microwaved.
Tonight some are playing table tennis in the common room, while others are
into cards. A swim after a day out is a popular option ... or just
collapse on your bed!

We started our YES programme at Disney at 7.15am, and not surprisingly the
'magical' Disney educators struggled to illicit the enthusiastic responses
that are the norm from our American counterparts. I assured her that it
was not that these students weren't keen, just that on top of the normal
Kiwi reserve, they were very tired. Anyway, the programme itself was very
good and included an excellent hands-on experiment where they ran marbles
down model roller-coaster track and had to predict how much potential
energy would be required to get the ball to loop-the-loop vs go over a
hill, or round a corner. Then she took us on various roller coaster and
log flume rides, where again they had to make predictions about speeds,
heights and angles, before and after the rides.

Then the kids dispersed to various rides in the Magic Kingdom and
Hollywood Studios and we saw them again at 5pm at the bus stop. All
arrived a few minutes early so we could catch the earlier bus ... great to
be able to rely on them to turn up on time. They had found rides and shows
they were happy with, and several girls were laden with assorted Disney
stuffed toys. A happy bunch.

The Magic Kingdom park was absolutely packed today, and baking hot in the
afternoon. Lots of families ... I would have thought a nightmare with
toddlers, but there were hundreds of push chairs, and thousands of kids.
Some spectacular street theatre and parades with fireworks over the magic
castle capping off each show.

A big day tomorrow with High school, springs and basketball game ... so
I'm off to bed now! Thank you for your comments on these 'letters', it is
good to know they are being read, and I do pass on any messages to your
children.

Cheers

David

Hello again,

Well what an amazing day ... seems much longer than just a day.

Talking to many people around Orlando it seems we have been very lucky to
see the launch ... many have said they've been out to view launches and
they've always been postponed. Last night we were following the news and
weather ... was looking good, fuel tanks were filled at 9pm, just a hint
of fog that might delay things. Then up at 3.30am, put on the TV to find
the astronauts were being strapped in. Vans arrived at 4.15am, all the
kids ready and eager. It took me by surprise but it seemed that half of
Orlando was on their way to the coast, freeways full of cars, toll booths
slowing them down, but our vans have electronic automatic toll payment and
we sailed through.

Crossing the causeways and big bridges near the coast there were cars
parked everywhere, with police allowing the shoulder on the bridges to be
occupied. We drove on to Jetty Park a campground where loads of RVs had
set up for the night. We settled down on the rocky bank of the ship-way
into Port Canaveral, looking over the water towards Kennedy Space Centre a
few miles away. Big search lights across the sky, presumably at the base
of the launch pad. We watch a succession of small yachts and luxury
cruisers go past as we sat with hundreds of others in the dark. Then, with
2 minutes to launch a huge Cruise ship came into port, slowly passing
infront of us ... would we come all this way to have our view blocked
literally at the last moment? Twenty seconds to launch the end of the ship
passed, then bang on 6.21am the sky lit up like an instant sunrise. The
intensity of light took everyone by surprise, as did the silence. Then as
the fire ball climbed into the night sky the deep, powerful rumble of
sound hit us ... heard and felt. The shuttle curved away, leaving a
perfect column of exhaust in a beautiful arc lit up by the blazing
engines. We were able to follow the shuttle for several minutes as the sky
was completely clear, even just making out the SRBs detach and fall away.
As the space ship climbed into the upper atmosphere a weird corona or
shock wave appeared all around it. Then as the sun rose, the floating
vapour trail again lit up in a display of changing colours and finally
dispersed.
Check out the blog for a link to a great video of the launch.

Everyone was impressed with the power and fury ... there are actually
people on top of that machine! Especially as the kids have been living the
shuttle for the last week. Jono could tell me how long it would be until
main engine shut-down. James commented that about now was when he broke
his legs in the EDM ... tried to stand up during take off!

So we travelled more slowly back to Orlando with the streams of traffic,
getting back to the hostel at 8.15am. Off to Disney on the no. 56 public
bus at 9.45 and then most of us spent the day at Epcot ... did the Mission
to Mars ride first! Temps in the mid-80s by the afternoon and the
pavements pumping out the heat. Epcot is looking fantastic, with the
spring flower festival, all clean and shiny ... most had a very good day
... some a little disappointed with the lack of super-scary rides ... but
impressed with the Disneyness of it all!

Haven't got time to mention Gatorland yesterday, save to say there were
kids holding alligators and snakes, sitting on alligators, feeding
alligators and watching hundreds of alligators!

Off to bed now ... up at 6am to head to Disney YES programme tomorrow.

Cheers


David

seen the launch

Just a quick note to let you know we did see the launch and it was truely
amazing.
Now we are off to Disney ... more later

Cheers

David

First day in Orlando

Greetings from Orlando!

Yes, we have safely made it to the Palm Lakefront 'resort', and woken up
to a beautiful Florida morning ... Dave M and I went down to the dock on
the lake to watch the strengthening sun lift the mist off the lake. Dead
calm, cool with the promise of heat in the day ... lovely still lake, big
lily pads, a squirrel running up a palm tree ... very nice. Ben came down
for a swim in the pool and Dave joined him.

So, we said farewell to the Space Camp on Saturday morning a had a 2 hour
bus ride to Birmingham. Crossed the mighty Tennessee river ... far bigger
than anything in NZ ... drove on through more rolling hill country with
lots of forest. One thing we have been impressed with is the roading
infrastructure ... 4 and 6 lane highways all around Huntsville ... huge
raised flyovers as roads intersect seamlessly. Far better than Auckland
for example, for a population less than Christchurch. Also found out why
downtown Huntsville looked so new and neat ... it had been destroyed by
tornados about 15 years ago.

Birmingham airport was spacious and empty. The girls got stuck in a giant
revolving door with all their luggage. Big military transport planes and
(according to Jonathan) several in-flight refuelers at the ready. Very
glad to find our e-ticket worked and all were surprised with he low-key
attitude on South West airlines ... no seat numbers, just line up in order
of check in a chose what seat you like.

Great views on the flight to Orlando ... lots of farmland in Southern
Alabama, like a giant Canterbury Plains ... then crossing Florida you see
a weird land of lakes. Just water everywhere ... no hills, scatted new
housing developments, trotting? ovals, big straight roads. Orlando airport
provided a great contrast to Birmingham as it was heaving! The terminal we
arrived at was connected to the main terminal by a monorail, w weaved our
way between all the people ... no sign of a recession here! The Manitur
minibuses were not far away to collect us all ... bags all arrived too ...
then a half hour drive to the hostel. Everything looks neat and prosperous
in Orlando ... great, smooth roads, tidy grounds, big hotels and shopping
complexes scattered about ... palm trees and bougainvillea.

The kids have enjoyed relaxing, having some space and freedom, and so far
been very responsible. Lots of excitement at going over to the supermarket
and buying the foods they wanted ... fresh veges and fruit for the girls
.... Alex N "Why have you got veges in your trolley?"
Many of them joined Dave and I for a swim at 10pm (9pm Huntsville time)
... just lovely ... warm night air, water just right, stars twinkling
above. Quite a contrast from the rigid regime at Space Camp.

So its a lazy start this morning, although most are up at 9.30am and then
off to Gatorland. Still on for 4am start tomorrow if the shuttle launch
stays on track.

All the best,

David

last day at space camp

Last message from Space Camp,

We are off on the bus in an hour. I actually slept right through the night
for the first time, went down to the 'bathroom', looked out of the
porthole window and was surprised to see it was daylight. You have no idea
if it's day or night in the habitat in your room, or the hallways. The
kids also seem to be better adjusted now, although Adam has a slight sore
throat and didn't sleep well. Another surprise this morning was the
thunder storm that gently passed over. We have cooler temps, grey skies
and intermittent rain, so obviously have timed our week well. Very
impressive lightening and a few good thunder peels ... no sign of a
tornado thankfully.

So they all graduated yesterday, in a short ceremony which started with
the national anthem. We all faced the flag and the Americans put their
hands on their hearts. The teams were brought up and presented with a
photo, flight pin and certificate, then they had some awards:

Space Bowl winners (a quiz on what they learned) ... Jonathan, Adam and
Stephen plus 3 Americans

Area 51 team building champions .... Emma, Stephen and 3 Americans

Engineering challenge award .... Emma and 3 Americans

Outstanding team of the week .... Von Braun

The Von Braun team had drawn up a list of words that summarised their time
at camp, which included:

Leadership, Teamwork, Fears Overcome, Balance, Trust, Friendship.

The girls especially connected with each other, Kiwi, American and Costa
Rican making , as they described it, ' a real family feeling' ... and were
sad to part.

Then we had the trip to Cathedral Cavern, which was a great opportunity
for them all to get out of the camp and see some of the Alabama
countryside. Low rolling hills covered in deciduous forrest, for the most
part. It was nice sitting at the front of the bus and hearing the kid's
conversations drifting up from behind me ... Ashleigh and Paulina were
laughing about the mission, the gas man dying and everything else that
happened ... most of the others also swopping stories about the missions,
"Oh, we left the shuttle doors open on landing and we all died!" The cave
itself was even more impressive than I had remembered and took an hour
and a half to go through. Massive stalactites, vast interior ... could fit
a 6 stored biulding inside ... underground river and more. One of the best
features was our tour guide, a good old southern girl, who played on her
accent and simple Alabama mentality very well.

Back to camp with free time after dinner. The whole group relaxed by the
sand volleyball court in the warm evening air. Volleyball was played in
very good spirit until dark, lots of humour ... a really nice bunch of
teenagers to be with.

So this section of our adventure closes. Tara would like to stay on for
another week and a couple liked the idea of the summer camp, which runs
for 12 days and has a 24 hour mission at the end!

So, onto Florida and hopefully the shuttle launch. We have transport
arranged, leaving Orlando at 4.30am on Monday morning. Lets hope the
launch schedule does not change.

This is Space Camp, Alabama signing off,

Over and out

David