Idaho Needs More Foreign Exchange Host Families - Local News Story - KIFI Idaho Falls

Idaho Needs More Foreign Exchange Host Families - Local News Story - KIFI Idaho Falls

World's Largest Potato Attracks Foreign Models

Nikolai Kongelf (Norway), Flavia Foxx (Spain), Snorre Birkelund Wille (Norway)

The words "Vacation" and "Blackfoot, Idaho" are not a top Google search result. Infact, of the 142,000,000 search results for "vacation", only 106,000 had reference to Blackfoot, Idaho. But Google "World's Largest Potato", and it is all about Blackfoot, Idaho! Oh ya, baby! This is where it's at!

Recently, the EF Foundation for Foreign Models  Study, visited this world famous sight and was not only impressed with the size and detail of this monstrousety, but were in awe of the undeniable lure this lumber and chicken-wire spray foam covered structure, had on them. It's one of those bizzare attractions that you almost don't want to admit you have. But once you hear about the giant potato, you just have to see it with your own eyes!

VEGAS BABY!

Our very diverse group of 12 exchange students, along with 5 members of the Baird family, all piled in the 28' Jayco RV at approximately 6:40 PM on April 29, 2009 and hit the high road, as these amazing, lovable, odor emitting teenagers anxiously anticipated the arrival in the "Real America". Never before have I heard Las Vegas, Nevada referred to as "The Real America", but when you are dealing with teenagers from 7 different countries that received their American History Education from MTV and Hollywood movies, it only makes sense that Las Vegas, in their young innocent minds, would be a typical representation of what they believe is The United States Of America!

 

America, being the only country that has the legal age of drinking set at a unbelievably old age of 21, was a difficult concept for many of the kids to grasp, and even harder for them to believe that Las Vegas, although an American icon, also follows the age limit of 21. The comment was made more then once, "For being a free country, America sure has a lot of restrictions!"

Thankfully, all kids on the trip were on their best behavior and were a pure delight to take.

Since many of the kids are from large cities, Las Vegas was a breath of fresh air for them. However, upon their return to their rural towns in Idaho, they experienced extreme levels of homesickness... Good thing for them they get to return to their home countries in a month.

Amongst our more "responsible" group on the trip we have Sue, Lennart, Andy, Marlene, Angelea, Tello & Francine.. Perhaps next to Marlene and Lennart, Francine may have been considered the most responsible.

Lennart, Sue & Marlene wasted no time standing around, wondering what to do. They were determined to use every minute they were given in Vegas to the full extent!

Occasionally we would run into our Thailand girls, but they were off and running the second the RV parked!

The Tournament Of Kings dinner and show at the Excalibur, one of the Vegas strip casinos, was a hit! Definately worth the $35 per ticket we got at half price thanks to my beautiful neice and her brother-in-law. Thanks Jerica & Shane!

Moritz, Diego, Juan, Saskia & Flavia spent the mornings, that started around 11, in the pools at the Grand View Condos we stayed at. Then made up for their few hours of rest and relaxation when they hit the strip each afternoon till as late in the evening as they dared push their curfews to.

All in all it was a great trip and I am so glad I got to experience "The Real America" with such a fine group of foreign exchange students!

Vee Rianrungrod (Thailand), Lennart Kuhl (Germany), Marlene Gumpoldsberger (Austria), Flavia Foxx (Spain), Juan Gorostiza (Spain), Loris Bilgreg (Switzerland), Saskia Weingast (Austria),
Chavisa "Film" Tuntachon (Thailand), Thassirin "Noop" Thovanich (Thailand), Sohyeon "Sue" Park (South Korea), Diego Zapata (Colombia), Moritz Braun (Germany)