Mid-west small towns

Would you ever as a tourist think of a destination like Cheyenne? Or Aberdeen? Or Sioux Falls? Or North Platte? Maybe not, but that is what makes it so interesting to drop a 22-country counting cast inside of them.

Cheyenne
The capital of Wyoming, but only 53000 people, very small compared to the other USA state capitals. But it is famous for it's rodeo traditions, it has the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. Our whole cast got the chance to meet some rodeo-cowboys. I got the opportunity to throw a lasso, catch a goat and ride a fake bull.






Beside this chance to get some rodeo-experience, the opportunity arised to have a 20 minute radio interview. It went really smooth, so a very good first experience. Another great memory was our community impact project in this city. Together with CALC we worked on constructing houses for the homeless, which will hopefully be finished by next month. Our contribution here will last forever, let us hope because we set the walls!



Aberdeen
On the way to Aberdeen our buses stopped at 2 places, first of all Mt. Rushmore. The famous monument of 4 presidents that were important for the American history, i.e. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865). And a real treat was waiting for our cast, a group overnight in cabins in the Black hills



Our stay in this small town mid-west city was made more exciting by our host family, the Halloween-happenings, a surprise birthday party of someone we did not know and a very intense cast-week-game (Up with people Land). This cast game simulated a hierarchical city and was focused on immigration issues, super interesting! Aside from that I worked on educational workshops, about international relations and one about Belgium (!).

Sioux Falls
This city will always leave a strong memory, because of a great mixture of exciting things. Goofing of at a basketball court on a volunteer project in a rehabilitation center. Another great moment was performing at the half-time show of an important high school football game, we had to bear freezing cold temperatures but we danced our heart out! This week was also my first internship week, what means that I'm helping out the education staff for 6 weeks. It is a great way to learn a lot about up with people, improve some of my educational skills, learn more about volunteer projects we do along the way, etc. And last but not least my host family was incredible. If all people in Sioux Falls are like this family then everyone should visit this city!

Crazy basketball moments


My host family


We performed at a football game, incredible experience (however also really cold)


North Platte
Our last city in the USA was North Platte - Nebraska.

Up with People also performs at parades apparently... A great cast atmosphere moment.


This is the last sunshine in the US shining on the railroad factories. North Platte has the biggest railroad hub in the USA, which makes it the 5th most attractive place to bomb for terrorists in the US (what a random fact to close down...)