Tour de Hue
Of all the bike rides we have been on so far, today was the longest and most adventurous. We rode through busy streets and intersections, winding alley ways, and quaint villages on our Hue to the coliseum, war bunkers, an incense factory, and a Buddhist monk house for a vegetarian lunch.
Our last few hours in Hue were spent either in the hotel pool or playing cards. After dinner we boarded the Reunification Express, a very rickety train, and found our cosy cabins where we would spend the next 15 hours travelling to Ha Noi. This gave us time to reflect on the dynamics and relationships that have formed within the group during this Big Experience…
Thiago Claus: I’ve learnt how nice, genuine and respectful our Big Experience group is. I’d never spoken to most of the people in the group before, but now, after spending three weeks with them, I have found and made new friends outside my friendship group and I wish to continue this even after the BE.
Matt Newman: I’ve learnt that we can see another side of everybody that is not present at school. It is great to see everyone ‘opening up’ and talking about things that are close/personal to them.
Bailey Allen: I’ve learnt that there will be good days and bad days for everyone. Giving people space and giving yourself some alone time is needed on a big trip like this. We are also much closer as a group and a few people might have made friends with someone they think they wouldn’t have.
Amy Lyon: I’ve learnt that even though everyone may have different personalities, hobbies, interests and friends, we have all become so close with each other over the past three weeks and we are all like a little community now. I am so happy that I have been able to get to know everyone in this group and I am so sad that it is almost over.
Rhys Siebert: I’ve learnt that everyone in this group has a nice side. I’ve got to know a lot more people in a way that I wouldn’t get to know them at school and I’ve learnt that everyone has a lot of positive traits.
Nick Adshead: I’ve learnt that, although a community, each individual in our group has differing opinions and approaches to life and they are all valid.
Jay Mautone: I’ve learnt that there are no friendship groups on the Big Experience, there’s just one big group of friends.
Aaron Herlinger: I’ve learnt that everyone has made a new friendship with someone who they may not have been friends with at school.
Jack Keenan: I’ve learnt that a community becomes more tolerant and accepting of each other in tough circumstances.
Meg Cairns: I’ve learnt a lot about everyone in my group and made heaps of new friends. We all get along really well and have become a big family.
Max Bruten: I’ve learnt that despite our contrasting interests and personalities we have grown together as a community, one in which the students are the body that is held together by the glue, namely, the teachers.
Imogen O’Leary Quereshi: I’ve learnt that everyone in my group is really accepting and caring towards one another. When some of us were feeling down the others really went out of their way to help that person and lift their spirits.
Jessi Esplan: I’ve learnt that at the start of the trip, there were lots of little groups of friends within the big group, but as the trip has continued, all of those small groups have merged into one and we’re all like one big family!
Grace Viglione: I’ve learnt that even though we may all not like the same things or share every interest, we all can still get along really easily, create amazing memories and can all have a great time together.
Duncan McKenzie: I’ve learnt that some of the best people you will hang out with on the trip are the ones you don’t usually talk to.
Noah Jaffrey: I’ve learnt that the people that you don’t know as well or spend time with most at school are people that you can share a lot of similarities with, and you can only find this out by becoming closer with them.
Ry’annah Hack: I’ve learnt how easily our entire group gets along. Even though we’ve all had our ups and downs we’ve come closer together, to become a little family called Vietnam group Orange.
Elise Kervin: I’ve learnt how accepting, happy and inclusive everyone has been. Through sharing rooms with new people I was able to become so much closer with them. At the start of the trip I was a little worried about how well I’d fit in as I hadn’t spoken to the majority of the people before. We are towards the end of the trip now and I can confidently say that I’ve talked to everyone and I’m so sad it’s nearly over.
Rose Jowett Smith: I’ve learnt how much I have in common with the other members of Vietnam Orange which really surprised me. Before the trip I hadn’t really spoken to many of the people in our group (including having never met two of the teachers) and I was honestly quite scared that the trip would be a bit awkward but as it turned out conversation has been easy, especially through our (almost) nightly games of 500 or other card games.
Mr Hyde: I’ve learnt that this group is always prepared to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them and they love to rise to a challenge. We are all vulnerable when outside our comfort zones but when we approach each day with enthusiasm and curiosity we become stronger and more confident amongst each other, allowing us to share an amazing experience.
Mr Hill: I’ve learnt that, just as nothing rhymes with Vietnam Orange, no two members of our group are the same. Each responds to challenges and opportunities in different ways. Tolerance, curiosity, resilience, excitement and laughter from everyone have created our Big Experience.
Miss Southey: I’ve learnt that a group as cohesive, open-minded and kind as Vietnam Orange can only be formed through every single person embracing each other’s individual qualities. The students and staff of Vietnam Orange have done this beautifully and I’ll miss seeing their smiling faces daily.