We gather outside the Jasmin hotel. About 1/3 of the group is staying on in Europe and everyone lingers, looking to be sure last hugs have been given and good-byes said. Last night, as they got off the busses, a large group gathered outside the hotel for a "group hug." With their arms around each other in a ring they swayed and sang "Lean on Me". Mario, one of our drivers, broke all the stereotypes we have heard about the Germans and joined in. He speaks almost no English, but clearly has picked up on the genuine affection our group feels toward him.

Quite a few members of this orchestra have now graduated from CHS and will not be coming back to play again. This morning Laura Thomas seeks each one out for a special good-bye and hug.

And then it's on to the airport. Andreas and Irene are there to see us off. We take a short hop to Frankfurt and then a very long flight to Dulles that is listed on our tickets as leaving at 1:30 and landing in the US at 3:45. Despite those reasonable-sounding times, it will be a very long day. As we touchdown at Dulles I hear comments about things looked forward to that were unavailable in Europe: "soft drinks with ICE," someone says, "and free refills." Another adds "I'm going to go right out and get me some fried chicken." An aisle over someone else joins in the litany: "How about just having money I can understand." It is clear that despite the incredible experiences of the last 10 days, these guys are very glad to be home again.

Laura Thomas outside the Jasmin Hotel in Prague	There is much milling around as people look to say good-bye to those who are staying on in Europe	No one seems eager to leave
There are many emotional hugs	Hannah Garrity	We check in at the Prague airport
Andreas and Irene have come to see us off	Julie Zavacky at the Prague airport	We board the plane headed for home
Emily Thomas makes a friend on the plane home: Esther, who lives in France and is a big fan of Walt Disney movies	Touching down in the US is an emotional experience for some	After a 2-hour bus ride we arrive back at Charlottesville High School

Feedback

After a very long and restorative night's sleep I have reviewed the e-mail I received in my absence. This website seems to have created a much wider community, with many saying that they felt like they were right there with us the whole way. Some asked when I had time to sleep. I can only say that any sleep loss was more than compensated for by the delight of getting to know this group so much better, and the privilege of being present when they accomplished something significant. Since they are the same age as my own children, and since Charlottesville is a small community, I have watched many of these kids grow from gawky elementary school students scratching out a French Folk tune on their instruments, to delightful adults playing the music of the masters with impressive skill and poise in front of an international audience. The sense of satisfaction that this provides is almost beyond words. I am pleased that I have been able to share some of it with you.

Many have asked why I did not provide a link that would allow you to respond to this site. It was my fear that I would be inundated with e-mail while I was trying to build the site on the road. I planned from the beginning to add a feedback option once I returned... and here it is!

To contact me, send email to gda@cstone.net

JIM GIBSON