Update from Singapore

Hi Everyone. Sorry for the major delay in posting - we didn't have internet access for the last week until we got to Geneva and even then we didn't have much time as our schedule was jam-packed. It was awesome though. The highlight for me had to be the first walk through the Swiss Alps (photos to come once I get home - I promise!) and the visit to the ICRC Museum. Truly inspiring! I'd love to go back and visit it again and spend a bit more time looking around, as there was just so much information to absorb. We also had visits to the ICRC where we broke into smaller groups to discuss ICRC youth-related issues - my workshop being based around principles and values and how we live these daily. Interesting stuff, and definitely something we should be conciously doing more of in NZ. I have lots of fantastic ideas to bring back and put into practice. I can see I'm going to be very busy once I get home! Speaking of getting home, we're in Singapore now. After a 5 hour car trip from Geneva to Milan (leaving at 6am!!) we boarded the plane for Singapore (an 11.5 hour flight!) and we have been in Singapore airport for 10 hours already. Just another 2 to go and we'll be on our way back to NZ. I've learnt so much in the last two weeks and meet so many amazing people, but although it was really sad to leave, I am happy to be heading home, I'm very attached to NZ and can't wait to put all the ideas I have gathered over the last two weeks into practice.

Geneva

Well here i am, typing on a foreign keyboard that doesnt have spell check and some keys are in weird wonky places, in the apple store in the older section on Geneva (funny ay! the store has like 10 computers on display that anyone can use to access the net!). We have been to the ICRC and managed to ask the president some questions regarding youth involvement and access to the ICRC, to which we got some imteresting answers, with his comments hinting that a youth delegate role has potential! This afternoon we are off to the Federation to have a look around and meet a few important people before heading off for the official closing ceremony. We went on a tour yesterday and i have to admit that NZ is seriously missing out in the history department. houses and cathedrals that are more than twice the age of civilisation in NZ.. i mean seriously i was in speechless (the photos dont do the cathedral justice at all).
Unfortunatly i cant upload pictures here (brie and i have hundreds) so ill have to try and get some up when i get back to nz. The NZ flag i scavanged while in Italy has nearly been covered in comments from around the world so will have to make sure that it gets displayed somewhere when we get back. We leave at 6am tomorrow for Milan and in total will have 50 hours of travel before us, hopefully singapore will have the ability to upload photos.
Till then, turn up the heat in NZ as im use to hot dry weather so remove the snow and make it more welcoming please!

Aaron

We havent forgotten you!!

Hey everyone.
Just a small note to you all. We are now in Geneva Switzerland after 2 very stressful days traveling through the swiss alps. the scenery was fantastic and the food not so bad either. We havent forgotten you all, but have had very limited access to computers with internet connections. we are both currently housed in seperate host families in Geneva for the next few days with the hope of getting to an internet cafe tomorrow or the next to give a proper update and report. Till then ill leave you hanging (man i hate typing on a keyboard in an other laguage!! takes twice as much concentration as it should, and i cant spell check!....). P.S. might be wish to bring a blackberry next time to do mobile updates.

Aaron