On New Year’s morning 24 students from 2nd, 3rd and Transition Year departed for Dublin airport accompanied by Ms Bourke and Ms Harte. We flew to Munich and travelled onwards to Sligo’s twin town of Kempten in the Allgau area of Germany. There we saw fields of snow and on the next day we travelled to the ski resort of Ofterschwang and the Toni Karg ski school to begin our skiing lessons.A good day was had by all and we were surprised as to how quickly we adapted to the huge ski boots and walking on skis!
The next day was so stormy and wet as Storm Eleanor impacted on Germany and the ski lifts were closed down for Health and Safety reasons. Instead we went bowling to the Big Bowl Centre in Kempten. We also went swimming in the Cambomare swimming pool where we could either swim in the training pool or relax in the indoor outdoor spa type warm water with water jets at every angle to soothe away any muscle aches caused by the skiing.
On Friday we were welcomed into the Mayor’s parlour by Mayor Sbyille Knott where we signed the visitors’ book and Ciara Rooney presented the Mayor and the Town Twinning organisers with gifts on behalf of the group. Many visited Neuschwanstein Castle at the weekend or went on snow hikes or ice skating with the host families.
On Monday the alarm clocks were set for 6 am as we had to be in school by 7.40 and therefore had to catch the school buses before 7.10.We attended class with our German correspondents and spotted the differences in the school system there and especially in the size of the school with over 1000 pupils.
We left Kempten on Wednesday morning and visited Munich where we did a walking tour and visited the Marienplatz and Frauenkirche as well as the Michaeliskirche and a crib exhibition.
Finally we travelled to Munich airport for the journey home and reached Sligo at 1.30 am.
A very enjoyable time was had by all and we look forward to the return visit of the German group during the Easter holidays.
