Sixteen members of the Kiel and Hanover, Germany, Friendship Force chapters 

enjoyed a whirlwind of activities during their recent exchange with Friendship Force of Chicago, May 27 to June 1.

They arrived the Tuesday after Memorial Day and were met at O'Hare by a delegation of home hosts and exchange directors, Bob and Dorothy Hernquist.  Despite unseasonably chilly weather they were given a warm welcome and whisked off to their home hosts for dinner and some needed sleep after a direct flight from Frankfort.

The next day the skies were sunny and it was much warmer as our guests, home and day hosts gathered at the Cultural Center in the morning for a walking tour of downtown and Millennium Park led by Bob Hernquist with assistance by new member Bonnie Poolin and Steve Spigel.  From the site of Ft. Dearborn, the first settlement, they had a great vantage point for all the high rises, new and old, including Trump Tower.

After two hours of walking one group headed back to the Cultural Center for a noontime concert of classical music and the other continued over to the Daley Plaza where a Turkish Festival was underway.  Both groups had a chance to visit Millennium Park en route to the Columbia Yacht Club where they were met by other Chicago members for a late welcome lunch.  

Afterwards some stayed in the city and went over to the Hernquists' in Lincoln Park for more socializing and others dispersed for various evening activities.

Thursday offered a wide variety of choices starting with a private tour of the new Native American exhibit at the Field Museum led by Shannon, who had been on the panel of consultants that worked to make this exhibit so special.  In the afternoon a group met to do the Wendella river and lake boat ride.  

Friday brought more indiviudal activities in the city and suburbs.  Some of our guests went to see the world famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra, some to the Chicago Opera Theater.  Even the Cubs, one of our two professional baseball teams saw visitors.  

Day and dinner hosts extended invitations to small groups to round out the full group activities.

Saturday the Farewell picnic was in Catigny Park in Wheaton, a beautiful and leafy setting for our last get together.  There was time for touring the beautiful gardens and museums there as well as just putting up our feet and socializing.

On Sunday we car pooled our guests to their next stop in the Milwaukee area with some stopping in the Botanic Gardens on the way up.  Those of us who made the trek were given a warm welcome by the Milwaukee club and enjoyed a fabulous buffet at the home of one of their members.

In between all the sightseeing we had many quiet moments to get to know our guests and to make the special friendships that Friendship Force is all about.

Thanks to all the home hosts, day hosts, dinner hosts, event planners and especially to Bob and Dorothy Hernquist, our exchange directors, who brought their signature blend of organizational skills and warm hospitality to this great exchange.