TRAVELER’s DIARY EXCHANGE 2011 * ENGLAND * Karolina Gajek

r. - Friday That day the exchange started. I was excited and full of anxiety at the same time, because it was my first travel without my family and first trip by air. Fortunately the trip went without unpleasant surprices and I safely reached the school in Barnstaple, where I met my partner from the exchange, Aimee Tunbridge. I'm pleased that I met her because we have the same interests and characters. Her family gave me a warm welcome. I have felt almost like home. I was very tired in the evening so I had supper and went to very cosy bed in Aimee's room.

r. – Saturday Today, I visited Bath – the city in England, that was built by Romans.I have seen ancient baths and learnt about healing springs which flow out from Bath. Characteristic architecture caused that I have felt like in Rome. The sightseeing of that city was very convenient, because we traveled double-decker bus without roof and we could hear about history of that city -,,City sightseeing”.I took photos of the most beautiful places and made a film of characteristic buildings. It was fine day.

r. - Sunday Today I spent time with Aimee, my friends from Poland and their partners. We were at the beautiful beach, even though it was cold and windy, we played cricket, and then we went to the ocean. We laughed and splashed cold water.It was fun and carefree. The next day we piked up shells at the seaside. I took a lot of photos, but the photos are not adequate with the reality. We all met at the bowling alley in the evening, and we had good time.

r. – Monday I was in Lynton today. We were walking steep paths along the river. We were surrounded by beautiful trees and plants and we heard singing birds. We even met the heron. I took a lot of photos, of course. Then we rode the water funicular to Lynton, where we had lunch and drank traditional English tea in „Moher Meldrums Tea Rooms”.

r. – Tuesday Today were games and dancing. Schoolgirls from Pilon Community College presented modern dancing choreography that we later learned and presented on stage. We played runders and handball. Then we saw the city, where we stayed- Barnstaple. We were sightseeing the city with a tour guide who turned out to be a tall and nice man in a tailcoat, bowler hat, gloves and with a stick. After sightseeing we had free time and started shopping at High Street.

r. - Wednesday Today I visited ruins of Tintagel castle. We stepped many stairs, but it was worth to see beautiful views of the ocean. I knew that this castle was connected with the legend of King Arthur. I took a lot of photos. We had our lunch and returned to school. I spent afternoon with Aimee. We were at the dinner, and little shopping in Barnstaple.

r. – Thursday Today together with pupils from Pilton Community College we participated in annual Devon Show - feast of Devon county’s culture.The exhibitions of animals took place there - llamas, buffalos, dogs, horses, pigs. The old cars were also presented there, as well as private shops offered their products. The most popular place for young people was fun fair. I agreed to ride the rollercoaster called hammer (not with a hesitation). It was crazy and funny. I was several meters above the ground in a moment and during seconds fell down- it was amazing. I will never forget it.

r. – Friday Today, we were on the trip to Exeter, we visited the Cathedral and we were sightseeing the city with a tour guide. We saw legendary hotel where celebrites lived, and we learnt about culture of Exeter.Then we had free time for our last shopping.

r. – Saturday This day I spent with Aimee and her family. We drove to the meadow with beautiful landscape: ocean and beach. We were walking a lot and talking about my impressions from visit in England. Then we had dinner together and I started to pack. Aimee gave me a present and memorial card with greetings from her and her family

r. - Sunday Today I said,,Good bye” to Aimee and her family and we got to the aiport by bus. I fell asleep in the plane because I had to get up early in the morning. The fly took about two hours. We arrived safely to Cracow from where we returned by Polish bus to school in Kromołów. Finally, I saw my parents and delicious Polish dinner.

It was great adventure which helped me to improve my language through daily contact with Englishmen, as well as to get to know other cultures and manners. I will never forget it.