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This morning I got up very early in order to monitor the return flights of our three youngsters from St. Louis via Chicago,Frankfurt and then onwards to Paderborn. All were on time so I rushed to the airport to meet the parents.There were smiles of relief when the small plane touched down safely while battling strong head winds at 8:33 a.m.
It took almost 25 long additional minutes before the luggage appeared on the belt inside the arrival hall and yet there was one final hurdle to be mastered: German Customs.Interesting objects had been purchased in the US and now German VAT had to be paid.Once those dues had been collected the door swung open and the last member of our gleaming TRIO stepped out and into the loving arms of the parents amidst friendly cheers from the rest of us.All families were now reunited again and what had been started some 90 days ago in August found its glorious ending on this wet November morning.
From what I overheard everyone sounded positive and thankful as we discussed the arrival of their USA host partners by the end of May/early June in 2008.
When we left the building we knew we would be together again shortly during DAFK's special Thanksgiving Dinner on November 22.
I hereby wish to extend once more my/our sincere gratitude to all of you who support and actively help us in carrying these exchanges forward.Let us continue with our efforts so that an ever increasing number of families and their students will be able to enjoy the benefits of these wonderful 90 Days Homestay arrangements between our sister - cities.
