The spring semester has ended, and while formal English language classes have concluded, my friends and students at the English Language Institute asked that we continue our lessons into the summer. This is the best compliment a teacher could ask for! To be fair, our classes have not followed the conventional desk and blackboard format, as described in my earlier post we have used traditional American food and cooking techniques in lieu of lesson plans. In our last "class" (make your own pizza!), I described my favorite place in the United States, Glacier National Park. After gushing about the jagged mountains, dense cedar forest, waterfalls, and plentiful wildlife, my friend Ippei turned to me and asked, "Could we go to Glacier National Park together?". I immediately realized that there is no better opportunity to enjoy Montana, engage in authentic western activities, and provide full-on English language immersion than to go on a weekend trip to Glacier!
We packed the car with tents, camp kitchen and chairs, firewood, and enough marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers to give an army a sugar overdose. My friends Yui and Ippei from Japan, Pere from Spain, and as a delightful addition, my mother Suzy, piled into the car and headed north for the Crown of the Continent. From there our weekend can be summed up into five English language lessons:
Camping: The vocabulary is endless. Tent, rain fly, ground mat, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, tarp, head lamp, stuff sack, outhouse, fire pit, lighter fluid, coals, lantern...the list goes on. I am very proud to say that while this was the first time camping for Yui, and the first time since childhood for Ippei and Pere, they were all camping rockstars! I would have guessed they were experienced outdoor enthusiasts, and after our weekend in Glacier, they may very well become ones!
S'mores: Let's face it, the word "s'more" is ridiculous. What does it really mean? Possibly a shortened version of "some more", but honestly, does that make any sense? No. In the end, "s'more" is a very obscure word in the English language, but this should not deter from its incredible importance. The best part of our entire trip was witnessing Yui and Ippei eating s'mores for the first time. Pure. Joy.
Bear Spray: Explaining the mechanics of a can of bear spray with modest English vocabulary is a challenge. Emphasizing the importance of knowing how to remove the safety catch, pull the trigger, and most importantly, point the nozzle in the correct direction, all the while being charged by 1000 pounds of bear is more a lesson in survival than in English. Fortunately, there were no pop quizzes.
Obama: One morning while preparing dutch oven French toast, I removed the lid to check on the delicacy's status and slightly burned my hand through my glove. I winced and said "That's a bummer!" Yui replied, "I hear you say, "It's Obama, but I am not sure what this means. I know he is the President, but why are you saying his name in this way?" In this case, I am the one who is taught a lesson - speak clearly and enunciate! I often remark, "that's a bummer" in response to various disappointments, but by speaking too fast and slurring my words, Yui was hearing "that's Obama!" Regardless of your political leanings, this moment of being lost in translation is worth a laugh. Indeed, that's Obama!
Nature Translates Itself: When surrounded by waterfalls swollen with spring runoff and forests carpeted with verdant, glistening moss and wildflowers, one does not need to use words in English, Japanese or Spanish. Nature translates itself.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.