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From: David Shapiro
Date: 03 Oct 2012
Time: 08:42:09 -0500
Remote Name: 152.30.124.19
Hi Erin, Indeed we all had a wonderful time interacting, learning, and growing together. I think all of us - from the US and from Czech - came out with a richer understanding of ourselves, our profession, and our world. I chose to take my students to the Czech Republic because I had established a very special friendship and colleagueship with Eva Přikrylová and Ilona Kejklíčková (note their photos as co-authors) at LOGO in Brno, where I had been invited as a guest three times previously (2004, 2006, 2008). I think we can have similar experiences just about anywhere from local to global, if we are open to diverse experiences and the surprises, the pleasures, and the challenges. What I have discovered is that when we focus on a common interest, all of the differences that some expect to divide us simply drop away. What we are left with is the realization that we – together – can accomplish anything we set our mind to. What a lesson this has been for me! I would encourage all of us to create such an opportunity to push our own limits, within reason of course and only following appropriate preparation. The world beckons and exciting experiences await. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to hearing of your own travel experiences. Kindly, David