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Welcome to my Blog. I am one of the 5000 young people from the UK attending the 22 world scout jamboree in Sweden in July and August 2011. In this blog I will talk about the camps and meetings running up to the jamboree as part of "Avonasarus", the Avon unit of the UK, and then, hopefuly have almost daily posts from the jamboree site as it happens. Hope you enjoy reading and feel free to follow

Tuesday, 9 August 2011

DAY SEVENTEEN - 09/08/11 - SIGHTSEEING IN LISBOA PART TWO

We woke up early again, and packed our stuff away for breakfast, just like the day before. After breakfast, Anna took us to the local museum to where we were staying - the tile museum. 
We were told about all the different ways tiles have been produced over time in Portugal, and how they are famous for it.
The building that the museum was in, was and old chapel which was almost entirely preserved inside. We also saw a huge picture of the Lisbon skyline made up of tiles. 


After this, Kevin took the people who were really sick to the doctors while the rest of us caught the bus to a park area. We then had our lunch in the shade of the park and wondered around the park for a while. After that, we were taken to a massive tower/monument which represents the from which all the ships left to the Portuguese empire. 
After that, we went to another large church/cathedral which was built from all the money the empire had made. By then it was about 3/4pm and we got back on the bus. We were told that if we wanted to, we could either get off at the stop nearest to the scout house, or carry on to the shopping center at the Lisbon exhibition center. I decided to go.


When we stepped in, it was great because it was so cold. The roof was made of two sheets of glass, with water pumped between them, keeping the building nice and cool. Me, Harry and Sam looked round - I mostly just accessed the shops unprotected wi-fi for about an hour when we all met up again in the foyer.
We then caught the next bus back to the scout house.
When we got back, we all had to be reasonably quiet because the people who were ill and some of the people who hadn't come to the shopping center were asleep. I took a shower and after chatting, playing cards etc... we had dinner.


After dinner, we were taken out to see Lisbon at night again. We went around the streets for a bit, but nowhere would let us all in. Instead, we went back up to the view point where we ate lunch the day before and the view was even better at night. We were then asked whether we wanted to go back or not. We stayed on a bit longer but quite a few people went back. We went on the next load of the mini buses. 
When we got out, I could sense something was wrong, when out of the night I heard "we are knights and we are defending our castle" - suddenly, water balloons were everywhere as well as buckets etc... I managed to get in without getting too wet and we all started preparing for the the next and final wave of mini buses. They took about half an hour which gave us plenty of time to stock up on water balloons and to fill everything we could find, with water, and to bring it up onto the roof. We completely soaked them - especially Beth, who go locked out...twice.
After that, we managed to soak all of the leaders (except Anna who had disappeared to bed shortly after the last group came even though it was her idea. 
After we'd effectivly flooded the scout house, and attempted to drain it, we went to bed, ready for another, not quite so early start the next morning.


Kathryn, our unit leader who sadly was unable to come to the Jamboree, sent an email round every day about what our unit had been doing from what Kev and other leaders/IST had texted her. You can find what she said about this day below:


"Good evening everyone

Firstly I understand that there is some concern from the Young People about the troubles back here in the UK.  These are difficult and indeed dark days but I would like to offer reassurance to all of our young travellers that Bristol has not been very badly affected and last night was a much quieter night here in Bristol.  Please do not worry in Portugal your families and houses are all safe and sound and the troubles in Bristol are contained in the St Pauls area and seems to have stopped here very quickly

Our thoughts go to the other Cities in the UK who have had very very rough and difficult days and we are all proud of you being positve young ambassedors for the UK in Portugal when so much of media is showing the UK youth in such a terrible way.


Tuesday.

The weather has been very good in Portugal and the Unit are having a really lovely time.  The host leaders are really being very very kind to the Unit and are doing are whatever they can to ensure that everyone is having a really good time.   Yesterday the Unit was taken another tour of the City, which I understand is very beautfiul.

They have made some trainsport available to the group and so the Unit are rushing around on the Happy Avon Bus - the Unit were taken on a tour of a Tile Factory (least that is what I think Kevin said!)  They are all enjoying themselves and are all making the most of the last few days of their adventure.

With regards to the travel arrangement home, the leaders are meeting today with a member of the UK management team to confirm all the arrangements and as soon as I have further details I will let you know.  For the time being we believe that the travel arrangements are the same as the original plan that was sent out to you.

I am sure you are all looking forward to having your children home and I hope to be at Woodhouse with you to see the Coach come home.

Apologies for a rather short email today, am in haste tonight!!

Kathryn

WSJ Bristol"

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