Era’s Muse

From Haktan’s Diary

That week preparations started weeks ago, a lot of study, discussions, plannings, work and shopping. After that hard period of preparation finally it was the day when they would come. On Sunday evening we picked up our guests from the airport and took them to their hotel in Manisa.

We welcomed them warmly in front of the hotel with the whole Turkish team. We met each other for the first time and learned our names. Normally we didn’t have any plan for Sunday night but everyone agreed on having dinner together. They tried kebab with big expectations and said it was even better. While we were getting to know each other on that table, I felt that this week would be unforgettable for us all.  

Next morning Turkish students accompanied the guests to the school. We walked in together from the school door with music , claps and joy by the welcomming group. After some small talks with coffee, we left the school to play some ice breaker games. We played games that helped us learning the names and hobbies better. My favorite game was the ‘Flamingo and Penguins’, though. One friend became the flamingo and we all were penguins trying not to be caught by him- we had a lot of fun.

We got back to school and guests attended the classes just for some observation. We had our lunch at a nice spot nearby. I think one of the best things of the week was the long and warm lunch tables. After the lunch we came back to school for the Welcomming Programme with the participation of our school administration and online project partners. After the introduction speeches, we began our workshops designed to improve our STEAM skills. We learnt to make lip balms and soaps with some chemical substances and physical and chemical methods. We shaved balloons which we learnt was once the way for the barbers to choose their apprentices. We tried to draw some beards and moustaches, different hairstyles of different periods and commented on them focusing on history and geography. We had some tongue twisters ( My favorite one was “What did a barber tell to another barber?”). Have you ever tried repeating a riddle in a different language? You should!

Finally we got into the School Museum with the theme of Barbership. While watching a barber’s documentary, seeing the soaps and lipbalms and discovering the trends by use of the women and men’s photos in different historical periods, we were totally convinced that museum sources and materials could teach us Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.  After the reflection session with all partners , we were free.

On Tuesday we started with the Technology Mini Mooc about photography. We learned details and the key aspects of photography and had a pre and post test about it. For me taking photos with light effects was the best part of the Mini Mooc. As a follow up activity  of Photography lesson, we played a game ; we were asked some questions- we had to find the places, people or objects asked and took group selfies with them. We tried to be the fastest group and send all selfies. The meeting point was also not named , we had to use technology and find the meeting point ourselves. It was Aynı Ali Kıraathanesi with its special Sultan tea. We had a whole group Selfie with Sultan Tea. For dinner most of the guests went to the hosts’ houses. At the end we met at a Bowling Saloon. It was a fun and competitive night.

Next morning we started the day with our Global Warming themed Science Mini Mooc. After learning more about global warming and its effects, we discussed some questions in groups and prepared presentations about them. To raise awareness about this topic we played some eco-friendly Turkish traditional games ; even the sports which are always recommended can harm environment such as motor racing and rallies. Instead we played sack race, egg-spoon race and  rope pulling. We fell, we got up and we cheated but the most enjoyable part was to see our teachers’ racing. After we had the reflection session , we had a football match near school. It was a 40 minute long match and everyone was there to play or watch. For dinner nearly everyone was at their houses because they wanted to taste Turkish cuisine.

On Thursday we started earlier with excitement because we had a cultural trip to ancient city Ephesus and a touristic village Şirince. We learnt more about Ephesus thanks to our funny tour guide. When we got to Şirince we discovered a cute village. We saw the church where we also had our Sahlep and we had much fun. When we got back to Manisa we had a Karaoke night all together. We sang French and Turkish songs with passion

Everyone woke up with a little sadness in their hearts to the last day. When we got to school we had workshops with the attendance of our online partners. We created a digital album, a short film and designed a leaflet about global warming . After we had our lunch the Cosplay preparations have started. Everyone was making some practice and preparing costumes about their scenes joyfully. There were scary clowns and beautiful dancers around. When everyone was ready, we went to Saruhan Otel where we were going to have our Last Dinner together. There were sad laughs everywhere. And the programme started. The first thing we did was to act  out our scenes. It was so enjoyable to watch and act . How couldn’t it be enjoyable to watch people who acted out Fight Club without fighting? After that it was French team’s turn for revenge; while turkish students and even teachers were trying to pronounce French words, French students and teachers gave them grades. Then we started doing traditional turkish dances. Unfortunately it was our last dance together.

When we finished dancing, it was the time for Acting Awards ceremony. We were given STAR AWARDS for our performances. When it was time to watch our final video of the week, we got emotional. Getting the attendance certificates, everyone started crying and hugging to each other.

Like everything else in this world, this week also had to come to and end. It was hard to say goodbye . Next morning we were there when they got onto their bus for the airport. The bus departed , we waved and …………..

ErasMuse French Report by Anne CHIAMA.docx