A FLORIDA HISTORY FESTIVAL IN CHRISTMAS, FL.

Last Wednesday I accompanied Charles and his class as a chaperone to a great little event in Christmas, Florida. The last field trip that was sopposed to be out of town was the time of the bus crash. I think some of the kids needed to be on a bus and pass the intersection of the accident in order to "overcome it" because one of the Mother's mentioned how her son had made the comment, "We made it" after passing it. Ironically Charles did much the same.

Anyway, I had heard of the town and even driven by a couple of times but really had no idea what was there. The bus ride was nice. Those charter buses are decked out. It feels just like the inside of an airplane but there is more ROOM! There is even a bathroom. I was sitting caddy corner from a guy who I swear was the spitting image of a young Billy Bob Thorton. Great style too.

Charles and I sat next to each other. He enjoyed looking out the window and talking to his fellow classmates while I chatted with a real nice Mom. In no time, we were there.

We were pretty much in the middle of nowhere, you know backwoods. There were stations set up and they led you on a little tour - a step back in time - to learn about the history of Florida and it's settlers. There were other groups of children taking the tour too. I swear I think I learned more in that trip than I did in school about Florida history. (Maybe it was just more interesting now)

The speakers dressed up in period clothing and acted the part - as if they were back in time. First were the Indians of course. The indian woman (she had a cool Indian name that we can't remember) proceeded to tell the group that the women were in charge then. They were the keepers of the house and pretty much told the men what to do. If an Indian chief had a son with a woman, the child would not be taking his place as chief, his brother's kid would because the wife owned the child.


Next were the Spaniards who tried to trick the Indians into thinking that their trades were fair. Like, they would offer the indians 1 or 2 beads for a whole animal hide. This guy was a trip and the previos Indian woman had told the children to call him a "stinky Spaniard". He was grumpy and bossy - like you figure a Spaniard would be. He taught some of the kids the way to defend your self using large "fake" spears.

Then of course the Pirates came in and stole from everyone. He loaded a gun with gunpowder and gave the kids (and parents) a good heart jumpstart. "It's a pirate's life for me" was his signature line.


Next were the Brits who layed claim to starting our government and money system. He also loaded a gun and shot blanks. Seems guns played a big part in our history for defense and survival. He then of course reminded the children the dangers of a gun.

Charles had a visit from a "rather sarcastic - but humorous" Seminole Indian. He referred to Charles' potato sticks as mulch. He also told the children that if their mouths were open, they weren't learning - in his Indian voice of course!

Here is his class. Same color tie dye shirts is a must for taking a group of kids out where there will be lots of other kids. The girl in the back row 3rd from the left is the assistant teacher, Ms. Scott. Charles seriously LOVED her. I say loved because she is no longer doing her intern with his class. The teacher Mrs. Niemi has a son with a heart condition and they had to do a last minute procedure so she asked Ms. Scott to join and supervise.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice lunch on the lawn. We had sandwiches and fruit. Then we each bought a hematite piece of jewelry. I got a bracelet and Charles got a necklace with an eagle on it. Hematite is that magnet that is sopposed to be healing. Some people like to charge alot for it. We got both for $11.
The ride home was nice and I was pooped but I still had to go deliver Magazines with Mac.

Needless to say, I slept like a baby that night!!