Luke Wogsland's Reflections

When I was still in my eight grade year at Denver Academy, I was informed that my brother was invited on the summer trip. I was excited for him, traveling around the world. Once he returned, I knew that I had to be on the next great adventure. I spent my freshman year working hard to retain my GPA and to participate in class and school wide activities so that I could get a shot at attending the 2019 summer trip. As the year wrapped up, I received a letter from my home room teacher, Mrs. Warneke, that I was invited on the summer trip. Now that I have crossed the world, seen and meet and experienced things beyond my imagination, I have become a well rounded and daring student, and a world class traveler. After the grueling flight to Singapore, I was exhausted and scared. I had friends and acquaintances all around, even my own brother, but my composure was hanging on a knife's edge. After that night, I regained some sanity, and began to trek. My favorite part about the whole nation of Singapore was a little hawker station called Maxwell Food Center. This place was filled to the brim with mom and pop restaurants, cute little places with some of the best ethnic food I have ever had. This little excursion set me up for the rest of the trip, cementing my view on the new and exciting aspects of our world.

After our time in Singapore, we flew over to the forbidden kingdom of Bhutan, a place few people get to travel. We meet our tour guide, and saw the sights, we ate the food, and hiked but to the jaw-dropping monastery of Tigers Nest. We visited temples, fortresses, and we bathed in a traditional a Bhutanese hot rock bath. We learned about the government, about the king and the parliament, and how Bhutan strives to maintain its traditional and sacred culture, and how they trade economic power and forgiven recognition for the health and happiness of its citizens. It’s as if big brother was actually looking out for your best interests. Our little merry band then moved onto Malaysia, braving the jungle, swimming in the sea, and walking the streets of Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Over the course of a few weeks, we visited three nations with distinct cultures, climates, and natural geography’s.

Now to acknowledge several of my peers who I felt did exceptionally well on this trip. First I would like to mention Luke Griffith, who’s knowledge helped me to grasp the vast histories and political climates of these three nations. Next I would like to thank Alex Hofstereder for cracking jokes with me, and just being supportive of each other. I would like to mention Kate and Hannah for their adventurousness, and their vibrant sense of humor, these two know how to have fun. Lastly, but far from least, I would like to thank the teachers and tour guides for keeping us safe and happy, for letting us have fun, and to teach us to enjoy the vast and complex world we live in. Thank you all so much for making my trip a roller coaster of laughs and leeps. Thank you!