DIEGO AND PEDRO'S VISIT AUGUST 2007

From Left to Right (Top)
Sensei Sam, Diego, Debbie & Pedro
From Left to Right (Bottom)
Lana & Billy-Ray

Myself and Ricky have travelled Europe now with the clubs for the last couple of years and noticed during our travels that we had alittle trouble when it came to communication as we didn't speak their language, nor did we know much about their foods and cultures. We have always found that the Sensies and Judoka always have been able to speak with us, well at least alittle.

After wanting to try club swaps for a couple of years or more, we were finally approached by a Spanish club in santander, a WORLD SCHOOL who's aim through Judo is to join children together with culture and Language.

They had two Spanish lads that were keen to learn about the English culture and to improve their English language as well as practising their Judo. it was a compliment to us that their parents were willing to let them come and trust that that they would be look after safely, especially as they would be staying for three weeks in total.

The day soon came for Diega and Pedro to arrive, we were quite nervous (as were they no doubt) not knowing what to expect of one and another. The nerves soon dropped once they arrived, they knew quite alot of English, which was lucky as we didn't know any Spanish! Diego and pedro promply produced gifts of Spanish food which was very thoughtful but myself and Ricky looked at one another as if to say "what are these's foods" and more then that, "how an earth do you cook it" this was resolved towards the end of their vist when Elmo (one of the club members) came round and cooked a terrific buffett meal using the foods to create typical Spanish dishes so as to have a Spanish themed Evening, we discovered that the food that they had given us as gifts was actually rather nice.

Diego and Pedro soon settled in and became part of the family, they constantly spoke English and had their Spainish to English dictionary for whenever we got stuck with communication. Our children Billy-Ray and Lana built up a lovely bond with both boys and spent alot of time playing with them, in the swimming pool, on the trampoline, playing Mario-kart on the Nintendo and either playing board games, such as monopoly.

We had several great days out too, including going to tropical wings, Bowling and out to pubs for the good old British pub lunch! Diego and Pedro always showed so much interest in everything and asked many questions aboout things, what they meant or what they were.

The Boys also got on with our eldest son Sam and enjoyed going out swimming and playing pool. Lots of fun was had especially trying to teach each other English/Spainish phrases and words.

We booked the boys into the Judo Summer School, a place sam attends each Summer. Diego and Pedro shone during this week, not only on the mat but also in they way the conducted themselves. Both Boys made an terrific impression for their clubs, many of the people they met wanted to keep contact and email and MSN address were exchanged.

Sadly the three weeks of fun had to end and it came time for Diego and Pedro to return home to Spain, they had made such an impression on our family and our Club Judoka that their were many sad faces and hearts were broken as they waved farewell.

Never mind we are still in touch and have been invited across as a family to visit them in Spain and hopefully in the not too distant future we will take up the invitation and spend time again with our new Friends Diego and Pedro! We couldn't have asked for two nicer people to come and spend time with us and are hoping that they will be visiting us in the none to distant futire.

Debbie

For further details please contact Debbie on 01621 744291 or email debbie@kamikojudoclubs.com