7 – 13 april 2024, Alpedrete, Spain
Day 1. Going back and forward
Discovering and experiencing was part of our journey to Alpedrete. How does it work to travel by train in Spain en what do you do when you’re going into the wrong direction? Fortunately it only took us some time and muscle power (heavy suitcases) to switch trains and a few hours late we arrived at the railway station to meet the host families. A bit nervous, but mostly excited, the six Dutch children en 4 German children went to their temporary home. Us teachers discovered the welcoming nature of the Spanish teachers and enjoyed our first dinner together with Marta and Diane, and Günther and Sven from Germany.
Day 2. Find your way
The next day the youngest children of El Peralejo welcomed us to the school with beautiful songs and gifts. After that we were taken on a tour around the school and the Butterfly-project was explained to us. In El Peralejo the whole school is participating in this project to make a difference in sustainability. In the Butterfly-effect the story goes that each little flapping of a butterfly can cause a storm. The school has set goals to make become more environmentally friendly and each goal is a flapping of a butterfly: small changes to make a big difference, such as re-using the leftover water from lunch, not putting paper tablecloths down for lunch, grow a vegetable garden etc. The children told us all about this great project.
After the tour around the school our Dutch and German children went into the classrooms. Quite a challenge to follow the lessons in Spanish with some different expectations, values and rules. With some help, communication and trying their best, the children found their way in the classroom. The schedule in Spain is different and the children were a bit tired and hungry every now and then.
Day 3. Going outside!
One of the Butterfly-flappings is taking care of the nature, so we went out on a fieldtrip in the old stone-quarry in Alpedrete. Since it’s not being used anymore, many animals have found their way around the water and trees. A beautiful example of nature flourishing when people stop intervening.
When school was over the host families took the children to El Escorial: a palace, abbey and mausoleum all together. This immense building was build for king Philip II of Spain with the granite from the stone-quarry in Alpedrete. Not only the children, but also us teachers admired its beauty.
Day 4. The vegetable garden
As a gift we brought some sunflowerseeds from the Netherlands and the Dutch children could help planting them to brighten up the schools garden. They will get a spot in the vegetable garden next to some lavender which is a natural way of protecting the vegetables to be eaten by insects.
In the afternoon it was time to give a presentation in different classrooms. The children were a bit nervous but told the Spanish kids all about Houten, our school and sustainability in the Netherlands.
Day 5. History and meetings
This day we were taken on a tour around Alpedrete. We saw the museum, met the mayor and the stork that made a nest on top of the villages church. This church also functioned as a cinema some time ago. They only had to remove one brick from the wall to make a little window for selling tickets. That’s what we call sustainable.
Back at school we joined a concert with grade 4,5 and 6. We all sang together some English songs and danced to them. Everyone had a great time, even though it was quite loud.
Day 6. Madrid
Before going to Madrid all the kids of El Peralejo said goodbye to us by dancing, giving high-fives, waving and cheering. After this special farewell, it was time to go to the busstop.
Dutch children usually go to school by bike or walking, so when we took a bus and the metro to Madrid, it was quite an experience. When we arrived at Sol and walked to Plaza Mayor, the cathedral and the palace, we were amazed by the beauty of the buildings. The children had to take photos and try to find out the story behind the buildings.
Day 7. Going home
Unfortunately it was time to go back to Houten. Muchos gracias for an amazing week, lovely children, teachers and host families in Alpedrete. It was a week we will never forget.
