Day 8 - Götene

Sunday
0700 Wake up, lovely breakfast in a dining hall full of people there for mothers day celebration.

0830 Depart for Kunskapscentrum, where we meet all the participants! Excited to see them and I make sure everybody is greeted personally! They have prepared a presentation for us about their time so far in Sweden. Time is given for me to talk one hour just with the swedish participants, the thai visitors spend the time with the thai participants. Talk more in depth about their experiences, what has been good and what has been challenging. The group is happy, they have a really good energy and they enjoy Götene! Homesick of course, but at the same time dont want the exchange to end..

1100 Depart for Falkängen, an old, traditional crafts village. The youth are given a task by their project fascilitator, to do a SWOT analysis on the craftsvilage! I love it as I watch their keen interest and engagement. Walk around and look at the arts and crafts, shop some gifts and talk to the participants. Director General of CDD wants to see the lake so I make a quick drive with them to the lakeshore – take some pictures and return back to the group. Gifts are given to the youth and we go for lunch! It has been good to see the participants!

1300 After lunch at local asian restaurant, with 15 dishes at least, we visit three hostfamilies – all very different! Love seeing how other people live and the people of Götene are very warm and friendly. It is a beautiful sunny day and at one of the families we are served rhubarb pie and coffee!! Highly recommended! The final hostfamily takes us to the mink farm the father works at, a request from DG. Here I come to fully understand what this is all about and decide that I am not for this kind of thing. Feel very sad for the animals! Not to mention the stench!!

1800 Return to the hotel and take care of some things, freshen up and then take the group to the local pizzeria where we have booked a table. Finding anything open in this area on a Sunday was almost an impossible task. The Lebanese owner takes good care of us and we are full and satisfied when we return back to our rooms at 2130. Take care of few things...

0000 Lights off!