Balaken: Day 2

Day 2 of camp was a smashing success! Students showed up bright eyed and energized. They started off the day practicing their dance routine (there will be a showcase on Saturday) and finished with writing scripts (which they will perform during the showcase). Two of the girls asked me to be the "mom" in their production, unfortunately, I had to be killed off in the end (well, not really the end, in the beginning). I had fun practicing my dying scene (I had the misfortune of being shot). I was certain during practice to die in a most dramatic fashion and then, of course, rise a few times before eventually (after much coughing and groaning) dying in the

end. Unfortunately, I will not be at the camp long enough to perform this epic role, but I assured them they would find someone equally ridiculous.

After camp, the counselors went to dinner where we enjoyed food and drinks all of us together. We followed it with visiting a gigantic park which had, no kidding, cotton candy and ice cream. I happily ate one of each and then in true "carnival" fashion, rode a few rides (the park has a ferris wheel and one of those big ships that rock back and forth).

I would like to express how much the ferris wheel

was inappropriately titled, a more appropriate name might be "The Wheel of Death." Yes. I have not seen the likes of such a wheel anywhere. The outside was quite pleasant looking, but I'm certain it was a trick. Upon boarding, what is immediately noticeable is that the seats were eerily shallow, and when traveling to the top, one couldn't help but think, "Hmm, I'm entirely sure death is imminent." If you weren't thinking about the trip backward onto the pavement below (and smashing into a million pieces) then you were thinking about the cart above you which was, certainly and at any moment, going to pummel you with it's shaky carriage. After the ride, I was deeply relieved to have my feet firmly planted on the ground.

Afterwards, I continued my childlike activities by racing my friend, Matt, to a giant statue of the late Heydar Alivev. I lost (badly) and on our walk back to the rest of the group he said "Yeah, I ran track and field all through school." (I'm certain even if he hadn't, he still would have won.) I just wanted to run as fast as I could for a few minutes, it felt great.

The day was filled with sunshine, high fives and a lot of laughter. It was a fantastic day 2.