Day 9: June 21

Day 9 just started. The alarm rings at 7 o’clock. It’s a hot day at almost 100 degrees. At 8 o’clock, after we have breakfast, we head to the Grand Canyon, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We are all looking forward to this day so much that we want to jump up on the roof. After an hour bus ride, we realize how long an hour can be. And then we are there, the Grand Canyon! When we get out of the bus, the first thing everybody thought is “WOW, this amazing view is just unbelievable!” But then the heat hits us like a hot oven! Because of the heat, the most important thing for everybody is putting on a lot of sunscreen. (People still got burned today!)

Here we start our hiking tour in the Grand Canyon. We can’t wait to run down the path so we go really fast. After a while a group of mules with passengers pass us, which make everything even more exciting. Unfortunately the mules poop all over the path. Besides the scary trail now we also have to watch out for the poop. Every ten feet people stop to take pictures of the different angles of the Canyon. It was almost like a competition about the best shot. After a hike down there is obviously also a walk back up, which is a challenge for a lot of exchange students who have been in America for one year. ^^
Boys take of their shirts, girls… well they have to walk with shirts on! When we get back to the top everybody is thirsty, sweaty and hungry! So we go to have lunch. Today on the menu is Pizza Hut or Chinese food. After the good lunch we watch an “Imax” movie about the Secrets of the Grand Canyon. A couple of people have a good time with the movie but others use the opportunity for a good nap after the long walk.

Later on we drive to a view point called “Desert View”. Once again we have a chance to take lots of pictures of the wide, open view. This is the last stop of our Grand Canyon tour. Now we head back to the hotel. Shortly after we arrive, we have dinner. The day ends with free time until 12 o’clock, which is 30 minutes longer then yesterday’s, because we are such a great group! 
Writing by: Valli Florack from Germany
Chih Jour, Lu(Zoe) from Taiwan