Non-Americans say the darndest things

One of the awesome things I get to experience while working for Up with People is hearing some of the funny things some of the non-American cast members say. Not to mention they say everything in their amazing accents. Here are a few quotes that I've heard this semester and last:

"They were really religious. They really liked George Bush."
-Britta, from Sweden when talking about one of her host families in Colorado

"Well, this is really bad but when I got to the US, I thought that everyone would be really fat. But I don't think this anymore!"
-Marlien, from the Netherlands when asked what surprised her the most during their tour of the United States.

"I can be ghetto...I can say bitch and ho!"
-Francois from Namibia when getting teased for wearing his do-rag that he got during the Chicago stop of their tour.

"Do they really get on the bus and go back to their school...you mean, just like in the movies?!

-Lucas from Belgium after attending out host sister's volleyball game.

"I want to go to go eat at a diner where there are stools and a waitress that chews her gum and says "Honey, what can I get you?"

-Armando from Mexico City, my beloved colleague, when asked what he wants to do in the States before going back home.

St. Joe, MO

Exactly one month after Cast A came through Lincoln, they arrived in St. Joseph, Missouri. This is a town about an hour north of Kansas City, with a population of about 75,000. It was a pretty last-minute decision to make this a tour stop, so it was a little bit of a scramble.

However, in classic Up with People style, it all worked out in the end just fine. My student intern was the lovely Britta from Sweden. The process of setting up a city is always a roller-coaster but working with Britta was wonderful. She is so thoughtful and reflective for someone her age and I so enjoyed getting to know her during the whole process! I can't wait to visit her in Sweden someday!

It was a short city stay so there was a day of community service and the show day. One of the communi ty service projects we set up was getting the students to work on a project called "Tiny Tot Town." This is a yearly event that some early education organizations put on. A mini-town is set-up for children to go through with their parents to learn how different businesses function. For example, in a mini-bank the children learn about what the need for a bank is, etc, etc. In past years the structures that represented the businesses in this mini-town were very unsturdy and made of simple materials. We had the students construct more durable structures with that would be used for many years to come by painting pieces of plywood into the type of businesses or organiztions they wanted to. They were extremely creative painting everything from a firehouse, pet store, a basilica (a big church, essentially), a cafe, flower shop, and everything in between. I was beyond impressed with their skill and creativity.

The show drew a small but enthusiastic crowd at the Missouri Theater. It was a smooth running city and it was great to see the cast again!