1. Day (Monday)

In the morning at school, we got to know each other through games. The first game involved throwing a dice and saying names based on the number on the dice, then we drew and wrote about ourselves. Later, we took a tour around the school, where we saw the classrooms, the dining hall, and the common room, which had a piano that Sofia and Arthur couldn't resist playing a few pieces on. We also visited the school museum, which had traditional shoes, uniforms, old keyboards, phones, and badges. We had lunch in the school dining hall. In the afternoon, we spent time in the gym and the school fitness center. In the gym, we played floorball and volleyball. After the sports activities, we also allowed ourselves some relaxation time, which we spent playing bowling. In the evening, we spent time with our "families," where we played games and talked. I am staying in the village of Daukstes with Raivis, who has 2 brothers, 1 sister, and a dog. (Text prepared by Erik Vjatrák).

2. Day (Tuesday)

In the morning, we got up at 7:30, had breakfast, got ready for school, and set off for school. At school, we talked for a while and then went to Staki Park, where we had a lecture on ornithology—bird watching and catching. Then we made birdhouses. Once they were finished, we took photos with them and went back to school for lunch. Afterward, we went to see a castle by the lake and an Orthodox church nearby, in the villages of Stameriena and Litene. Then we visited a gentleman who had given a lecture about birds in the park. He showed us what he does after catching birds in nets, how he rings them, measures their wings, and weighs them. Next, we visited the "Glass Garden," where a lady who created everything there gave us a tour. Besides a maze made of glass bottles, there was also a collection of money from various countries and a collection of empty alcohol bottles from around the world. Finally, we returned to the school gym, where we played laser tag. My friends and I didn't do well at all because we mixed up our guns, and the sensors didn't register them correctly. After the game, we went back to our host families. (Text prepared by Marko Urban).

3. Day (Wednesday)

Upon arriving at school, we went to the staff room, where a small snack was waiting for us. Later, we moved to the kindergarten near the school. At the kindergarten, they had prepared a creative activity for us, where we made our own artwork using glue and colored sand. After this activity, we took a tour of the kindergarten. Then we headed back to school. We attended three classes—Latvian, English, and Music. We actively participated in the lessons in a playful manner. After lunch, we created mosaics using wood and glue. After school, we went back to our host families, where we changed clothes, ate, and prepared our swimsuits because a party and sauna were organized at Marta's house (I am staying with her family). At the beginning of the event, various games were prepared, and then we went to the sauna. We stayed in the sauna for 10 minutes at a time, and after each session, everyone jumped into the lake right next to the cottage. (Text prepared by Sofia Kuklová).

4. Day (Thursday)

After waking up, we all met at school, healthy and happy. At 9:00, we set off on an expedition to the Gunta Dudele forest. We first had to get there by car. We were welcomed by a forester and his wife. We talked about trees and animals in Latvia (birches, pines, spruces, deer, bears, moose, and the problems with bark beetles). We planted a few trees in a clear-cut area and hope they will all take root and grow into healthy, large trees. For lunch, we went to the village of Smiltene. In the afternoon, we visited a nursery to look around since we had a lot of extra time. After half an hour, we continued our journey to the Birzi farm, where they process birch sap by tapping the tree trunks. We got a few glasses to taste. Most of us didn't like it at all. They offer various syrups (birch, maple, floral, etc.). Next, we went to Amberfarm, a farm where they grow and produce various products from sea buckthorn. The farmer and his dog Kate (a German Shepherd) had prepared a creative activity for us, where we made our own bath bombs and body scrubs. In his shop, he gave us warm sea buckthorn juice to drink, and we tasted various sea buckthorn-flavored foods, including excellent black bread with garlic-sea buckthorn butter, sea buckthorn syrup, marshmallows, and candies. Some of us bought souvenirs from his shop to take home, and we set off back to school in our car. After a whole day in the fresh, cold air, we didn't feel like going anywhere else, even though we were invited to watch the basketball game between Gulbene and Riga (finals). (Text prepared by Peťo Sojka).

5. Day  (Friday)

Today, we were back at school. We all attended regular classes. During the first biology lesson, the children explored the properties of various substances and liquids and observed how they react together. In the biology class with older students, we examined a herbarium and "sewed" a pressed flower—wood anemone—onto paper. The last lesson was about comparing the strength and abilities of the left versus the right hand using clothespins. Then, we attended a concert in the local school hall. Two musicians performed while showing photos and texts of Latvian songs they sang.

After lunch, they showed us their folk dances and got us involved as well. The students were dressed in traditional costumes. Then, we went to the cafeteria, where, together with the principal, we made small buns from kneaded dough, filled with bacon or jam. The cooks baked them and later brought them to us in the hall. We tasted the delicious buns, and then came the festive conclusion of the entire week. We said our goodbyes and received certificates and souvenirs to remember the event. Tomorrow morning, we are heading home. We are excited about Warsaw! (Text prepared by Peter Feja—a parent).

Journey - Departure from Slovakia

Saturday, 13th April 2024: From our starting point in Lokca to Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania, it was a 10-hour drive. During the trip, we slept, listened to music, and also sang. The view from our hotel room was beautiful, overlooking the city park, and the hotel beds were really comfortable. After checking in, we went to the promenade, took photos near the church, the bridge, and some interesting statues, and ate delicious pizza. We went to sleep with more memories (a funny phrase from Peter T.), and I am sure we will wake up with smiles on our faces. (Text prepared by Simona Paľová, 8.B)

Sunday, 14th April 2024: In the morning, we got up around 7:30, tidied up our rooms, and went for breakfast. We bought a few things at the store and set off again. Along the way, we stopped at an unusual gas station – they sold speakers, vases, meat, and many other things. We also passed by the capital of Latvia, Riga. Soon, we stopped by the Baltic Sea, where we took photos and signed our names in the sand. Then we arrived at the school in Staki, where we received a warm welcome. We met the families and went to their homes together. We fell asleep with great anticipation of what awaited us here. (Text prepared by Peter Tomčík, 8.A)

Journey - Departure from Latvia

Saturday, 20th April 2024: Saturday was a challenging day for us. Our feelings were mixed. We were excited to go home, but at the same time, we had to say goodbye to our friends from Latvia. After our farewell at 8:00, we faced a long journey to Warsaw. We made the eight-hour monotonous drive through the endless flatlands of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland more enjoyable by listening to music. Warsaw greeted us with rainy and cold weather. After checking in, we headed to the center of Warsaw – we had dinner at the Palace of Culture and Science, which is 231 meters tall. Tired from the journey, we went to bed early to set off towards Slovakia in the morning. (Robert Kolena, teacher)

Sunday, 21st April 2024: On Sunday morning, we woke up early and departed from drizzly Warsaw towards Lokca. Once again, we traveled through flat terrain. We stopped for sandwiches at a gas station and dozed off a bit. After passing through Krakow, we were steadily approaching our beloved Slovakia. We arrived in Lokca at around 13:00. Finally home! (Tatiana Pitáková, teacher)

Feedback

"I am glad that I participated in this mobility. I got to know a new culture, cities, people, and had unforgettable experiences. Thanks to this mobility, I improved my English language skills. I am very grateful to the Erasmus+ program for all the memories, and I will apply again next year."       Peter Tomčík (8.A)

"Erasmus gave me many new experiences, opportunities to improve my language skills, but most importantly, new relationships and friendships. It taught me how to handle and communicate things better, new words and colloquial phrases that I can incorporate into my vocabulary. It opened the door to people from my school with whom I had never really communicated before and also made new friends from another country. These are memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life, knowing that I couldn't have experienced anything better. I met people with different life stories and ways of living. A place of peace, nature, and beauty. Thank you for this opportunity."                                                       Sofia Kuklová (9.A)

"Erasmus+ gave me a lot of great experiences, improved my language skills, and made new friends. It taught me new ways of communication and not to give up too easily. I even started talking to people I hadn't really talked to before. Additionally, I got to know the nature and traditions of another country. Thank you for this experience."                                             Peter Sojka (9.B)

"I am glad that I could see another country with different customs and traditions. I met great people with whom I hope to stay in contact. I am happy that I could experience living in a foreign family without parents and communicate mostly in English. I think it also improved my pronunciation. I recommend trying the Erasmus+ program."                         Simona Paľová (8.B)

"We got to know new countries, and many amazing people with whom we had a lot of unforgettable experiences. I am glad that we could also learn about their culture, customs, and traditions. What I like most about the ERASMUS+ project is that we can improve our English, visit new countries, and develop our communication skills. I would recommend the ERASMUS+ club to everyone who loves traveling and English as much as I do."                                                                   Marko Urban (8.A)

"I am glad that I got to know the culture of other countries, met new, pleasant, and intelligent people, and gained new experiences and memories for life. I thank the Erasmus+ project for allowing me to participate in this mobility, and I would also like to participate in another mobility."                 Erik Vjatrák (8.B)