Banana Splits and hiking! Emma-May 4 2011

Taylor and I had the opportunity to go and meet some of the English speaking kids here the weekend before last. The plan was to go out to eat at a fast food place here, (of course,) and then to someones house on Friday night for BANANA SPLITS!! We hopped on a bus, which just so happened to contain some of the people we were going to meet with, and headed to Merve, (the restaurant). After having a very fun filled and crazy, attention drawing meal, we all headed over to one families house. We had super yummy banana splits, and sang some songs, watched some slide shows of what that group of kids did over the past year, and settled in to hear a short message on Easter. The next day, all twenty some of us, (including parents and some extra siblings+ a dog) loaded up to go for a hike. It was a pretty hot day so we were all carrying a few liters of water. We were going to have a picnic at the top. Fun!!! So we hiked up for about an hour or so, and when we reached the top, we were all hot sweaty and ready for a rest! Thankfully there was a river near our stopping point. There was a Tajik man with his donkey gathering wood under our tree. We unloaded under the big tree and headed for the water! After coming back, we found no Tajik as he had been stung by a scorpion! Some of the boys had it on the end of a stick. We cooked some hot dogs over the fire and rested for a few minutes after getting all wet again. Some of the kids went to a water fall while the other three of us just sat for a while. they came back soaked and we decided to have a final swim before we left. Some of us tried to stay fairly dry so the way back would be easier, but the rest of us just went at it, splashing and dunking. The way back wasn't nearly so far it seemed! When we got back at the cars, the key carriers were behind a little ways so we stood out waiting for a while. One of the parents tried to get a group picture, but everyone was so tired that it didn't really happen! We got to meet a really neat group of kids from all over, and I mean ALL over! There was two brothers from Finland, two brothers who were American, two brothers and a sister who were Mexican, a Dutch girl, two brothers and a sister from Germany and another girl from Germany, then Taylor and I and another girl from America. If you count the adults too there was one from Australia!!!! Fun group! We had a great time and this weekend we went again with just our family. Great hiking spot and some awesome pictures!