Waterweek in Haarlem: May 28 to June 3, 2006

Report from Bielefeld

This year, five girls and one boy accompanied by a teacher from Gymnasium Bethel, Bielefeld , took part in the waterweek in Haarlem. Before we arrived in Haarlem, we had a problem in Duivendrecht since the train we wanted to take was deviated. Thanks to Meret, who is bilingual, we managed to get on an other train to Amsterdam and arrived in Haarlem a little later. Owing to the hospitality of our hosts and the varied programme elaborated by Hans Ahlers and his colleagues, all of us enjoyed the waterweek and had a great time with the Dutch students as well as the guests from Bologna.
The following items of the programme deserve a special mention: 1. the excursion to the dunes, and 2. the practical experience in the chemistry lab at Coornhert Lyceum of the purification of water from the Leitsvaart which turned out to be pure drinking water after a thorough chemical treatment in the lab at Coornert Lyceum. Those who tasted it did actually survive!
For some of us, the extraordinary canoe trip on the river Spaarne turned out to be quite strenuous an adventure. We arrived at the Cruquius Museum where we got an idea of what good a job the people of Haarlem had been doing for a long time to keep the water off their inhabited area. The way back by “steps”, however, was a real strain.
The next day in Amsterdam, our guide Selvyn gave us a sensitive introduction into the circumstances of Nazi Germany and Anne’s life before he showed us round in Anne Frank House . We think this visit is an absolute must of the programme for the next waterweek.
As a matter of fact the programme also included the interesting visit of the Teyler Museum, Sports activities at Zandvoort Beach with a pretty strong wind blowing, and a tasty barbecue. Ron worked hard and did his best to serve those queuing in front of his extra large grill. In the evenings we socialized with the Italians whose company many of us will miss.

All in all: the waterweek was great!

Bedankt!

Participants:

Lisa Henn; Meret Huber; Felix Klein; Rhonda Koch; Marleen Leiser; Judith Wilking.

Teacher: Klaus Netzer