Travel and Arrival – Friday, 4 October
The delegation from Augsburg opted to travel by train, prioritizing sustainability and the symbolic retracing of historical trade routes—albeit via modern high-speed rail. The journey included a stopover in Paris, where participants visited the Louvre Museum and the Parc des Tuileries, with views of iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe.
In the evening, the group arrived in Barcelona and met with fellow participants from Slovakia. After a brief visit to a local tapas bar, the group retired for the night at a youth hostel. The following morning included a short city tour of Barcelona, featuring the cathedral, the harbor, and the Columbus monument. Lunch was enjoyed at the Mercado de la Boqueria with its fanatastic offers of all kind of Spanish food and drinks. In the afternoon another touristic hotspot, the Sagrada Familia was visited before continuing by train to Ciudad Real, where the Italian group coming from Madrid airport joined in the journey. From there, the final leg of the journey to Almadén was completed by bus.
Upon arrival at the school in Almadén, the host families warmly welcomed the participants. After collecting luggage, each student was taken to their host family’s home. A mutual exchange of gifts took place, followed by a traditional Spanish dinner featuring jamón, seafood, and various meats. The evening provided an opportunity for initial conversations with exchange partners, fostering early connections.
