NABO Udaleku: And classes are on their way!!

While the kids are all busy, I wanted to take a minute to update you on what we've been doing the past few days.

After a day of playing ice-breakers and getting to know each other, the campers dove into Basque history yesterday with an activity revolving around smuggling! After a brief lesson on the role that the Basques played in helping British Air Force men who had been shot down return to England during WWII, the kids set out on a scavenger hunt to discover their group names. Simulating the culture of smuggling, groups of four followed clues around the center making sure to avoid any "Nazis" or other people whose aim was to put them in prison. As it was Father's Day, the center was brimming with people, which not only helped facilitate the game, but also provided us with many stories about families who had been involved with smuggling people, clothing, and food across the Pyrenees during and after the war. Everybody was able to learn a lot, and it was nice to see the entire community get involved with the education our youngsters.

(Pictured left: A sample of the tiles created today by campers. Aren't they gorgeous?)

With the hustle and bustle of the weekend out of the way, classes officially started this morning. The campers have been rotating between lessons on txistu, dance, basque, culture, and Joko Garbi. As I write this, I've got music coming at me from all sides. Abarne is in the room above me, working on Basque songs and numbers in Basque class. Across the center in the Solarium, (those high notes travel!), Caroline is working on Lapurdiko Makil with the students. In dance, kids are busy working with Gabri and Axier to get the mutxikoak steps down so that they can move on to double clicking and the quadrilles. Hegi is the dance of the moment. In the less noisy corner of the kantxa, Joko Garbi has been a big hit so far. Everyone is enjoying learning the new game, and they're actually pretty good at it! David might have some competition in a few years! :) Hands down, however, culture class has been the most popular class of the day. Yvonne Goyhenetche graciously donated her time to teach the students about the pottery of Ciboure and each child decorated a tile using Basque symbols and themes. We've got some wonderful artists on our hands and really now, who doesn't love playing with paint? (P.S. Peio loved it too. We've got lots of paintings to decorate the ballroom with!)

Next up: A dance workshop on double clicking and the fandango and tonight starts our Mus Tournament. Stay tuned for more updates and pictures!