Canoe trip on the Connecticut - Barton Cove

Although practically everyone raised their hand when Julie asked who would be coming on the canoe trip, only 15 brave ones finally decided to risk it. And they were right!

The weather didn't look too promising at first but the sky soon cleared up and when we got into our canoes and on the water, the sun broke through the clouds.

Depending on our experience (for most of us non-existing) and our size, we were teamed up.

The Connecticut is a wide, calm river and the rain of the previous days hadn't brought the level up to such an extent that we couldn't navigate on it. We had to sign the usual waiver and the guy in charge of the boat rental scared us with his explanations of how to cope in case the canoe tipped, how we'd have to hurry to the riverside in case of thunder and lightning, and how we had to steer the boat away from motor boats, rocks, reeds, etc...

With wobbly knees (some more wobbly than others) we rowed off and it actually worked, for all of us.

We had a riverside picnic on a tiny beach and Stella even swam, but found the water a bit murky.

We all felt really proud, happy and tired after this very successful outdoor activity. Thanks to Julie and her husband John and the winner of the day, Edgardo, we enjoyed every minute.

Back at the dorm, we tried to do some reading and then we chose articles from the Sunday papers for Tuesday's discussion.

Next week, I'm part of the Liaison Committee to relay between the staff of ITD and the participants.

Our group

Yesterday afternoon we went to the summit house on top of Holyoke Mountain. Unfortunately, the weather was hazy but the sight of the Pioneer Valley was still very impressive. The old house on top of the hill is a small museum showing objects from times gone by when people walking the mountains and working on the railroad would come here for a welcome break.

This is the Connecticut River winding through a green landscape. The scenery is very green, because it's been raining for many weeks now and more rain is announced for the days to come, although so far, we've been lucky and had no showers.

Edgardo, one of the ITD staff members, brought us to the shopping mall where some of us bought food and I bought a cheap cell phone because the one I brought from home doesn't work in the US.

In the evening, I read some of the assigned papers on the constitution of the USA. Later, I went out with Paola from Italy and had some tea-rolls at a local restaurant.

Everyone spent a better night and this morning our group was finally complete. Some people had to take up to 5 different flights to get here and many flights were cancelled because of severe storms in several parts of the country.

Today we were taken to the ITD office for a formal introduction of the staff, our main lecturer, professor Bruce Laurie, and the other group members. We are 28, as one grantee didn't make it and another returned home.

In this picture, you can find me with Bruce, Clare, Rachel, Julie and Noemi, Julie, Naeema, Mory, Snjezana, Seral, Kleo, Alphonse, Sandra, Afifa, Paola, Dai, Kaori, Larissa, José Luis, Abby, Silje and Silje, Nora, Viktor, Beatrice, Svitlana, Alistair, Stella, Olima and Nguyet.

As you can see we're a colourful bunch. We received a detailled schedule of the coming week's activities and a reminder of the reading materials. This afternoon we'll be taken to the mall to by adapters etc.

I've got to leave you now and read a bit more. I'll be back tomorrow!