Travelling Teacher

Originally printed in Good Teacher Magazine: Term 4, 2007, page 32 – 34

Ever had one of those dreams where you are flying through the air with no visible means of support (very much like us teachers), where everything is deadly quiet around you, you have this wonderful view of the surrounding countryside, the wind is ruffling through what is left of your hair, you believe you are one with the gods when suddenly you crash and come to your senses.

Well welcome to hot air ballooning Cappadocia style. (more…)

Originally printed in Good Teacher Magazine: Term 3, 2007, page 26 – 28

Goreme

Isn’t it amazing …
that there are certain things that will bring tears to your eyes either with joy, sadness or laughter.
Things like a new born baby,
a painting by Gauguin,
a beautiful sunrise over an azure sea,
an unresponsive computer that won’t do what it’s told,
a class of children in their best finery ready for action with their faces painted like Red Indians.

All of which leads me quite nicely into my next episode on travelling through Turkey. If you remember I had travelled down through Turkey having been to Troy, Ephesus, Assos, and having had a few challenges with the car and tires on the way. (more…)

Originally printed in Good Teacher Magazine: Term 2, 2007, page 26 – 29

Ayah Sofia

Dear Editor
How quickly the last months have flown past. Ever since my epic school trip through the Louvre almost a year ago I have been like one of those aimless brown leaves being blown from one corner of the playground to another.

However just to bring you up to speed on the news. After that excellent trip to the Louvre I was asked to appear before the Board and told in a very Gallic way that although I was an excellent teacher the exuberance I brought to my subjects was a little flamboyant for the school. I was also informed that the fact that I had been Frogmarched (pun intended) out of the Louvre by a regiment of the foreign legion was bad for the reputation of the school and would I consider another posting say to somewhere like say Turkey. (more…)

or…timely tips for a kiwi going away from home

Originally printed in Good Teacher Magazine: Term 1, 2007, page 26 – 27

Dear Editor
After spending some 23 days travelling through Italy, France and London I wanted to share a few travel secrets that I picked up along the way.

These may or may not help you to negotiate the cobbled paths that beset the unwary traveller as you wend your weary way from coffee to café through Europe.

Toilets (bogs to us Kiwis)

1. For the month before you leave home do your exercises.
a) Pelvic floor clenches.
b) Squatting with backpack on and money belt around chest just below breasts. (more…)