Suddenly Life's So MGM

Every nation has its parades and every American community has its 4th of Juy Parade. 

Dublin, Ohio is no exception....as witnessed by Carolin above.

Frederieke, Carolin, Megan & Christie

Michael, Simon & Jana

Emma, Elli, Sarah

Somehow, Andreas joined the parade

Uncle Sam walks by on stilts.

When the final band passed the church....we went up into the bell tower and rang the church bell...which is done old-school....by a rope.

Bell Ringers in the Gladden Chapel:  Carolin, Megan, Jana, Michael, Simon

It was commented by the German students that in Germany, when they ring a church bell...they just push a bottom and the bell rings. We informed them that Dublin City Council would not allow that on an Historic Building and we were shocked (shocked!) to even consider such a thing! (We then left the building and pushed a button to shut down the air conditioning and pushed another button to computer-lock all the doors.)

The plan for the day was pretty simple: come to the Dublin. Avoid the rain (which we did) and experience something unique and uncomplicated....an American July 4 Parade.

People handed out candy (though they we instructed not to throw it to the crowd...it is Dublin after all)...and local politicians rode by on cars...vintage American cars and expensive European sports cars (it is Dublin after all).

Sarah, Emma, Elli & Kerstin

Lisa, Maike (still luggage-less) and Amber

Afterwards there was time for a quick meal and some group-time....perhaps the most difficult was trying to learn everyone's LAST names...since we DO seem to all know one another's first names. (Though it was noted that one American kid did not know one of the American advisor's last names)

There was also time for a quick run and return from the most American of all places...the nearby Starbucks.

Pastor LIsa and Kerstin

Lisa and Nils

Chad & Gracie

Dr. Keith & Amy Ladu

After the morning and afternoon, the gang broke up and headed to their individual homes and communities for other festivities.

Gracie, Sarah & Lisa spent some time on cookie baking at the Bowersock home.

Jana was a part of a neighborhood celebration in Dublin with the Sells and Bowersocks.

Maike got her funky American Sunglasses on with Amber in Hilliard.

Evening Sparklers with Gracie, Jana, Lisa and Sarah in a Dublin Neighborhood celebration.

Emma at the Coffman High School event.

And there were fireworks.

And fireworks.

Peace,   Bob