Cultural Tour of Cambodia

From student Emma Dedman
I am enjoying the trip. I have learned a lot about Cambodian history and culture. We went to Siem Reap for a few days and we saw many temples including Angkor Wat. It was very interesting. Then we went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a few days to visit temples and mosques. Now we are in Vietnam. Tomorrow, we are going to Cuchi Tunnels which were used during the war with Vietnam.

Here is a description of Angkor Wat (pictured above) and other sacred places in SE Asia: "There are two great complexes of ancient temples in Southeast Asia, one at Bagan in Burma, the other at Angkor in Cambodia. The temples of Angkor, built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD, represent one of humankind's most astonishing and enduring architectural achievements. From Angkor, the Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain that reached from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. The structures one sees at Angkor today, more than 100 stone temples in all, are the surviving remains of a grand religious, social, and administrative metropolis whose other buildings - palaces, public buildings, and houses - were built of wood and have long since decayed and disappeared."

China: Traditional dances and shopping in the market

Thursday night in the Linden Centre, Brian and Jeanee invited some local Bai dancers to perform and teach us some traditional dances.  Twenty men and women arrived dressed in beautiful costumes; the women were coiffed with a lovely headdress representing the snow, flowers, and splendor of the area. One of the men carried a long baton, at either end of which perched a comorant (a fishing bird which when working wears a loop over its neck so it won’t swallow the larger, more valuable prey). After a few demonstrations, the girls joined in, circling round and round stepping, kicking and swaying their arms to the festive songs. 

On Friday we boarded our Kermit bus (it’s olive green with reflective mirrors that look like antennae) to Dali.  Our first stop was the Three Pagodas (three independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle the largest celebrates the Buddhist tradition).  We then continued on to the Old City where we explored the colorful markets, bought a few trinkets and feasted on a traditional noodle pot for lunch.  After lunch, we mounted chair lifts up the Cangshan Mountain, famous for its snow, ever changing clouds and moon.  We witnessed all of this and the Erhai Lake, the fifth largest lake in China, as we strolled leisurely around the paved path.  Others followed our American guide up a steep but rapid ascent to one of the vistas.  Fatigued after the exercise, we rode the lift back down and returned to the Linden Centre for a taste of Chinese ribs, cashews, multiple vegetables and fruit.  Off to bed early – we were tired!

Today we'll wander through the village of Xizhou, stopping at the Saturday market and visiting some of the local homes.

The three attached photos are views along the main thoroughfare in the Old City of Dali. -- From Jenny Jervis, Upper School French teacher

Public History Course Visits Ryman

Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel's Public History classes have had a busy week working in the Harpeth Hall archives and visiting the Ryman Auditorium to learn about the building's restoration. Mr. John Dowell led a great tour for our girls at the Ryman, taking them behind the scenes to the see restoration done in the attic and in the dressing rooms (which were added during the 1993 renovation).

The Ryman was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974 when it moved to its present location. Under threat of demolition, the Gaylord Entertainment group decided to invest 8.5 million dollars into the building's restoration. The auditorium is now on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks. The building first opened in the 1890s as a religious meeting hall but soon added entertainment and lectures to its billing. Many of the students at Ward's Seminary and Ward-Belmont attended concerts and lectures at the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the auditorium's original name. The girls also learned of the many famous people who have performed at Ryman Auditorium. Students are also doing original research and preservation in the Harpeth Hall Archives as they prepare a new exhibit, "A Century of Clubs." Each student researched a period of time using yearbooks available online from Harpeth Hall's digial collection. (Click here to access the digital archives.) They are also working with clothing, scrapbooks, and newspapers. In the spirit of service, the classes have compiled a complete index of clubs at Harpeth Hall and its predecessor schools dating back to 1898. As part of the new exhibit, the classes are also creating a more in-depth version of the exhibit in the form of an online exhibit, which will be linked to the school's "History and Archives" page. Stay tuned for more details next week!

Teaching at a Thai School

From Michelle Chintanaphol who is interning in Thailand:
Today's my second-to-last day with the Mechai Pattana School, and it is so wonderful that I hate to leave so soon. Yesterday, I helped teach a class at MPS for the first time (before I had just assisted) with the English teacher who the students call "Teacher Hugh." The first class with the seventh grade was an extremely enlightening experience. I never thought teaching could be so hard! The students were not paying attention the whole time and everyone was chatting and talking so loud. I had to work hard to settle the students down.

The next class with the eighth grade was better since Teacher Hugh and I changed the style of teaching. Today, I created worksheets on contractions and since Teacher Hugh was busy at a workshop, I taught the class myself. I was very pleased with the students' behavior, and I felt that they really learned the lesson.

At the Mechai Pattana School, the style of teaching is vastly different than other Thai government schools. They give more freedom to the students, (other schools use sticks to discipline the students), but it comes at a price. It is harder to get the students to pay attention at MPS, but I am glad that they do not use the same method of discipline.

When I return, I will be writing a paper about Thai teaching methods and report on my experience as well as how the teachers should teach in order to discipline the students without using abuse. I wish I had more time (even a year or more) to look at the Thai educational system and the system of this school! I certainly hope to come back. This weekend I plan to travel to Bangkok to visit with my father and other relatives before coming home.

Going to School in Paris

Annalee and Giselle with new friends and classmates at the Maison d’Éducation de la Légion d’Honneur. This is a public boarding school founded by Napoleon in December 1805 for the daughters of the members of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, the highest honor given to both citizens and soldiers of France. High school students in grades the equivalent of sophomores through seniors and one year beyond live in the 18th century abbey buildings adjacent to the Basilique de Saint-Denis where most of the kings of France are buried.

Feeling Like A New Yorker...

From Eleanor Weeks, who is interning in NYC:
Yesterday, I had a moment when I nearly had the audacity to call myself a New Yorker. A woman wandering the street asked me for directions, which means I must have at least appeared to know my way around. Maybe one day, I will be able to say it with confidence. I know it has only been a week, but I can feel the time passing. I only worry that my attempts to see all I wish to see will lead to overindulgence and extravagance, which is easily done in this city. Hopefully I have enough wisdom to not make those mistakes.

House Cup Banquet at Hogwarts

Harry Potter fans, click here to read students' blog about their Harry Potter 101 on-campus course. Pictured are photos fro the House Cup Banquet.