Make Words Not War

The NJC team ready to perform!

This year, the spring NESDA (New European Speech, Debate and Acting) competition was hosted by the International School of Barcelona. As one of the coaches of the NJC team, I had the pleasant task of spending a weekend in this beautiful city. Although much of the time I was put to work as a judge, I enjoyed my time there immensely - with one major exception, of which I will write later in this post.

Looking towards the city from the harbour. 

Looking west from the tower of La Sagrada Familia

In order for our competitors to be able to see some of the city and not just the inside of a school , we left Neuchâtel on Wednesday after school, even though the competition did not begin until Friday afternoon. That left us all day Thursday to see the sights. Personally, I was very excited to be returning to a city that I had enjoyed visiting in September 2011. In fact, I was the only person in our group who had visited Barcelona previously.

Our bus company

On this windy morning, the beach was very quiet

The Agbar Tower

On Thursday morning, we made our way from our hotel (near the Plaça d'Espanya) to the Plaça Catalunya where we boarded a hop-on, hop-off bus. We were free to move around the city on these tourist buses all day. As we began our tour, from the upper deck, we could glimpse much of the southern portion of the city: the Roman wall, the beautiful harbour area, the beach - nearly empty, and the buildings which made up the former Olympic Village. Heading away from the water, we passed by the Agbar Tower, a striking building in the shape of a rocket, as well as more traditional architecture on our way to our first stop: La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterpiece.

La Sagrada Familia

An interior view

Fortunately we had pre-booked our visit to this wonderful place, since it was very crowded. We were one among many school groups, and ordinary tourists abounded as well. We had also reserved tickets up one of the towers, so that is what we did first. I really enjoyed the bird's eye view over the city.

Close up to some of La Sagrada Familia's unique features.

The light pouring in from the colourful windows.

After we descended, the students left to explore on their own while Dan and I lingered in the church to try, as best as we could, to take in its many beautiful features. Most of these were still fresh in my memory from my recent visit, but I also discovered some new things to look at this time around. For instance, I had not noticed the whimsical doors on the Nativity façade previously, but this time, they caught my fancy.

These doors have little insects carved into them. Is Gaudi Gaudy?

Classroom for the worker's children in La Sagrada Familia

After a light lunch, Dan and I returned to the bus to make our way north to Park Guell, another famous Gaudi site. I was surprised to discover that entry there was no longer free (as it had been in 2011). Instead, there was a fee and a limit on the number of visitors allowed on site at any time. Since we would have had to wait too long to enter the grounds, we walked around the perimeter instead, so that Dan could see some of its charm, before we returned once again to the bus and completed the loop.

Park Guell

A Gaudi mosaic in Park Guell

Plaça Catalunya

We found ourselves again in the centre of Barcelona, and headed towards Las Ramblas, Barcelona's famous pedestrian walkway. Dan was especially keen to see la Boqueria, the wonderful marketplace there. This is a site well worth visiting; I bought some delicious chocolate covered nuts. Fifteen minutes later, I discovered that I had been robbed. My wallet had been lifted out of my purse, and I had not even noticed.

Crowds on Las Ramblas

Dan and I shared a container of strawberries like these. They were on display at La Boqueria, the scene of the crime - I think.

Just like that, my day turned from pretty great, to not so good. Thank god, I was with Dan! He knew exactly what I had to do. After we retraced our steps and looked in garbage bins along the way (in the faint hope that the wallet had been thrown away after the thief took my money), we made our way to the closest police station to file a report. I lost a lot of Euros, three credit cards, two bank cards, my driver's license, and all my important Swiss cards. I spent much of that evening on the phone to Canada and to my husband, and several hours the following week reporting my losses to the Swiss authorities. It was a big hassle but I realize it could have been much much worse. Had my purse been taken, I would have lost my iPhone, my eReader, my prescription sunglasses, and my camera too. And I have learned a hard lesson: to carry less with me and to be even more careful.

Over our paella dinner that evening, the students and Dan were very good to me. Several of the kids offered to loan me money if I needed it, but I managed fine on the emergency funds set aside for this trip.

Viggo and Matt as Oscar and Felix in an excerpt from The Odd Couple.

The next day, the NESDA competition began. We had three acting pairs and two debate teams; also, some of our kids did double and triple duty, participating as well in impromptu speaking, original oratory and oral interpretation. Thus, we had someone in every event. During our weeks of preparations, we had had several obstacles to overcome, with illness effecting three of our team members, but we all pulled together in Barcelona. Our opponents came from International Schools from The Hague, Brussels, Berlin, Munich, Dusseldorf, Prague, Vienna, Cairo and Barcelona, our hosts.

Matt and Katie prepare for debating.

I was proud of all our students, even though only three entries moved on to quarter final events: Lauren in impromptu speaking, Matt and Katie in debate, and Vanessa and Scott in duet acting. The latter pair gave the performance of their lives on Saturday, leading to hysterical laughter among the spectators and the judges - and perfect scores across the board.

Coaches dinner at a tapas place. What a great group of people!

We had to wait until the next morning for the finals, however. In the meantime, the coaches went out for dinner together in the Born part of Barcelona, very close to where I had stayed three years before. I knew the way and acted as guide for everyone.We enjoyed a feast of tapas courtesy of the host school - a good thing for me, since I had no money.

Vanessa and Scott as Mona and Denny in Finger Food.

I judged Oral Interpretation with Holly (Munich), Nicole (Prague) and Doug (Cairo).

In the finals, our star team performed well again, but the competition was very talented too so I was not sure how they would place. Imagine our joy when they were announced as the winners!! Well deserved, Vanessa and Scott - you were a source of great pride for all of us.

The three top teams in duet acting - all were very good and very funny as well. Our winning duo are on the right.

Shortly after the students were awarded their medals, we headed to the airport and home.

I love the concept of NESDA. Too often we neglect the spoken word in school and students live in fear of speaking in front of their peers, but in this competition, words are celebrated. Now I have a t-shirt to remember this event. And, as I write this, I also have replaced almost all the cards I lost.

My NESDA t-shirt.

The Perks of Being the Drama Teacher

A view towards St. Paul's Cathedral from the south bank of the Thames

London is a spectacular city. I imagine that you all know that, but I wanted to state this fact anyway. So it was an excited group of 38 students and three staff advisors who travelled there in early March.

Three We shirts and one "Be the Change" shirt embody the message of We Day U.K. Note the "W" sign.

This trip originated as an offshoot of the Me to We service project that several of our students have undertaken in Kenya over the Christmas holidays these past two years. To thank them for their efforts, Craig and Mark Kielberger invited these students to We Day U.K. in early March last year and again this year.  However, since London's West End is world famous, it also made sense to build in a theatre excursion - which means the drama teacher gets to go too. Lucky me.

To help plan our time in London, I contacted Peter Storfer, who teaches adults about theatre texts and productions. (I got his name from Jocelyn, my predecessor at the school.) He was a wonderful resource, suggesting which plays to see, booking tickets for us, and arranging for an actor in one of the productions to speak to our students.

With a full educational agenda planned, off we went. As it worked out, we chose a glorious four day period to visit the city. It was early March but it felt more like mid spring.

Craig and Mark Kielberger, the Canadian driving forces behind Me to We.

Princess Beatrice and Holly Branson

We Day U.K. took place on Thursday morning in Wembley Arena. Some 12 000 students filled the stands in order to hear the message of the day: we can create change in the world. Famous and not-so-famous guests performed and spoke, all of them encouraging the next generation to make a difference. We heard from both Kielberger brothers, of course, but also from Martin Sheen, Sir Richard Branson and his daughter, Holly, and from Princess Beatrice. A particular highlight for me were the speakers who had used their scientific and technological expertise to create solutions to some of the problems that plague the world today. One fellow had turned used coffee beans into energy.

Wembley Arena

Later that day, we attended a production of The Nether, a creative and disturbing drama that would be the subject of a lively discussion in Peter Storfer's seminar group the next morning. This was modern drama at its finest, with a very current subject (the Internet) and a high tech production. I loved the play because it challenged me on many levels. Most of the students felt the same way, although several admitted to being somewhat shocked by what they saw. After the seminar, especially after hearing the thoughts of lead actress Amanda Hale, most students saw the value of the play, and will no doubt remember it well.

The Duke of York Theatre, home of The Nether.

Seminar discussion with Peter Storfer.

By 13:00 on Friday, we were on our own for the afternoon. Some of us decided to walk around the city to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather on offer. After lunch in a pub that could have been on Coronation Street, we made our way southeast from the Russell Hill area towards the Thames and the Globe Theatre. On our way, we took lots of photos.

Saint Paul's under a beautiful blue sky

The Globe Theatre

I had visited the Globe less than three years ago. Still, I was keen to return. As a lover of Shakespeare and theatre, I wanted to share the place with some of my students. I think they thoroughly enjoyed the excursion.

Maddie and Becca in front of the Globe stage

We had another play on the schedule that evening - Once, a musical production based on the indie film by the same name. The star of the show was Ronan Keating, who at one time was a member of Irish boy band, Boyzone. He has a very good voice and is easy on the eyes, too. I really enjoyed the musicality of the production. It was an entirely different theatre experience than the night before.

Ronan and me.

The next morning I led a small group of students to the Tower of London where we took the Beefeater tour - very informative and entertaining. It had been almost twenty years since I had visited this site; what fun to see it again!

The view of the Tower of London grounds from the White Tower.

My group posing with our guide. I think I impressed them with my knowledge of British history.

The rest of the day, we were free to go where we wanted. After a lazy pub lunch with Bill (who subsequently had work to do), Jen and I, still enchanted by the weather, chose to roam through the city. This meant that we made our way to Saint James Palace to see the changing of the horse guards; to Trafalgar Square where there was a demonstration in honour of International Women's Day; to Canada House, which I visited for the first time; to Saint Martin in the Fields, where I saw the interior for the first time; and to Covent Garden with its many buskers and shops.

Trafalgar Square and Saint Martin in the Fields

Canada House

Saint Martin in the Fields

Just before dinner, we stopped at the Strand Palace Hotel where I had stayed in 1977 on my first visit to Europe. That was a trip down memory lane! I could barely remember the place although I knew exactly where it was located.

Victorian statue at Buckingham Palace

On our final morning, we headed to Victoria Station. From there, we had one more visit to make: Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard. The event, we had been told, would take place at 11:30, but by 12:15, we still had seen nothing. Apparently in the off-season, this ceremony only takes place on alternate days. Oh well...

Matt and Megan frolicking on the way back from Buckingham Palace,

Just after lunch it was time to head to Gatwick for our return flight. I was reluctant to leave. I have visited London more than any other major city, but I never seem to get enough of the place, especially when the spring flowers are in full bloom.

Daffodils and crocuses abounded on this weekend.

Unofficially in Florence

A view of Florence from the Uffizi gallery

When I discovered the school was organizing a trip to Florence, I signed up to supervise, but, alas, I was not one of the staff selected to go. Of course, I know I cannot go on every trip. But then, luck was on my side. On the same weekend, there was a ski trip (which I did not sign up for). As it worked out, so many students opted for one trip or the other, there was no point in having classes on Friday. I found myself with an unexpected long weekend.

Our hotel was just on the other side of the Ponte Vecchio.

So 24 hours after the 30+ students and staff had left for Florence, I began my journey to a city I had not visited since the late seventies. It took me seven hours and four trains to get there but I am very glad I went. What a fabulous place!

Strawberry gelato to celebrate my arrival in Italy.

Shortly after my arrival on Friday afternoon, I headed out to explore with Louise, Jen and Dan. My first purchase: gelato, of course. We passed the Palazzo Pitti as we searched for treasures in local shops. Later, Jen and I separated from the others in order to find the leather market.

The Pitti Palace

Florence wears its renaissance glory proudly, and it was particularly lovely in the Friday sunshine. Spectacularly beautiful are the Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo, Florence's massive cathedral.

Palazzo Vecchio

The Duomo

Eventually, with the help of some locals and several of our students (whom we encountered during our walk), Jen and I found the leather market in the San Lorenzo area. I was keen to try on some leather jackets, having heard that this was the place to buy them - as long as I was willing to barter. I found one I liked but I decided to wait before purchasing, in case I found a better deal somewhere else.

I rubbed the head of the boar for good luck at this market - the Boar Market, but I shopped elsewhere.

That evening, the four staff had a delicious dinner at Trattoria I Quattro Leoni before retiring for the night. As a free agent, I was not on duty in the evening, so had no worries about the students that night or the next.

Our group inside the Ufffizi Gallery

A view of the ceiling at the Uffizi Gallery.

The next day, my only full one in the city, began with a guided tour of some of the great art collections of the city. We first went to the Uffizi Gallery, once home to the powerful Medici family. The building itself is very beautiful and grand, but the art collection is even more so. We saw original works by Boticelli, Michaelangelo, Carravaggio, Tintoretto, Raphael and many others; our guide, Elvio, was wonderful at explaining the unique features of each major work, so that the genius of the Italian masters could be fully comprehended.

Boticelli's The Birth of Venus was behind glass, as were most of the more famous pieces.

Jen and I on the rooftop patio of the Uffizi Galery.

Walking between galleries.

A fifteen minute walk took us to the Academia Gallery, famous for its collection of Michaelangelo's sculptures. Of course, we all wanted to see David and he does not disappoint! What a masterpiece! Elvio added a great deal to our grasp of the work, as he encouraged us to view it from every angle and to consider such things as weight distribution and balance.

An amazing piece of work - breathtaking really.

Elvio explains how Michaelangelo worked to release his sculptures from the marble.

After over three hours looking at art, we were all ready to spend some time outdoors. Florence on this Saturday was warm and sunny with temperatures in the mid-teens. We could not believe our luck that we were able to eat lunch on a patio in late February.

We enjoyed our outdoor lunch.

I had good intentions that afternoon of visiting the Duomo and other sites which the group had explored before my arrival but the double enticements of the leather market and the weather overcame me and the afternoon slipped by without any more cultural explorations. I did manage to support the local economy, however, with the purchase of a leather jacket and a purse. We were all in the mood to buy on this day.

Replica of David outside the Palazzo Vecchio

Dinner Saturday evening was at the Yellow Bar where Elvio, our guide that morning, happens to be the Maitre D'. We enjoyed typical Italian fare there and were given special treatment by the owner. That evening, I was less inclined to have an early night. I wanted to explore Florence some more and to enjoy its unique character. As Louise says, it is a city that makes you feel alive, so we took our time strolling through its streets before stopping at a jazz club for a nightcap.

Neptune's fountain at the Piazza della Signoria

Early on my final morning there, I went out on my own to absorb more of Florence's beauty. I loved the quiet of the dawn, and although I still did not go into the Duomo (it was closed to tourists), I vowed I would return soon.

The Duomo and Giotto's Bell Tower in the early morning light.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella near the train station.

By 10:00 a.m., students and staff were at the train station for our return journey to Neuchâtel. Many students commented that Florence was among their favourite destinations this year.