Having advised the students to dress for walking in the last lesson, Gabrielle was impatiently waiting at the front of the classroom in walking shorts and a t-shirt. She had water bottles ready for everyone along with a backpack on, and the sphynx portkey was sitting on her desk. She lit up a bit when the students started filing in, ushering them over to the table. This would be the last time she got to take Miranda on a trip with the class, but perhaps that was all the more reason to try and make time to go on holiday together over the break sometime. Gabrielle actually seemingly looked forward to it. "Alright, alright, let's not waste too much time," she said, standing behind the desk for a change to let everyone crowd around.
"You're all pretty lucky, since now you'll get to see the moai for yourselves. Without the lengthy boat journey from here to the island. Or the long flight from Chile. Isn't magic incredible?" Gabrielle smirked, handing around a container of sunscreen so the students could put some on their faces as needed. "A couple of ground rules before we go, though. First, do not touch the moai. Some will be on ceremonial platforms, or ahu. Do not, under any circumstances, walk on those. Just because we're cheeky and can just port our way over to the island doesn't mean we have an excuse to disrespect the culture." She spoke sternly, but softened a little. "And don't go out of your way to bother locals. They aren't there for your entertainment, this is their home we're intruding upon. We'll stick together as a group, take a short trek and take in the sights, and then we'll have some lunch while we're at it." She handed out tickets, just in case they had to present them, and water bottles, before nodding at the students and inviting them to touch the portkey. "Alright, make sure touching the portkey, and brace yourselves."
They were promptly lurched through space to the park, thankfully out of sight of anyone, and after getting themselves in order started the hike along the path, looking at moai along the way and pondering how much they might weigh, or how they might be moved. "You know," Gabrielle started, when she was satisfied there was nobody but the students in earshot. "I think a good reason we study so much of ancient history and cultures is perhaps a reminder that the way we learn magic at Hogwarts is from a Latin, Anglo-Saxon basis. But," she added, looking around, impressed. "I think it's good to be reminded that knowledge and use of magic developed independently around the world, and different cultures have different means of performing spellcraft. And if you want it, the whole world is out there for you to develop your magic by understanding different ways of using it." She snorted a little, shaking her head. "Not that I think that was the Ministry's intention. But it's important to think about." She could tell some of the students were rolling their eyes, and brought them to Ovahe Beach, cautioning them to be very careful in walking down the path. She pulled some warmed containers from her bag, glad the magic had held, and placed out some empanadas for everyone, inviting the students to sit and eat. She knew at least some students would appreciate the food. "Plus," she added, taking one and enjoying the fresh sea air. "It's a nice excuse to vary up the meals."
After spending a little while eating and chatting - and dipping their feet in the ocean if they wanted to - they returned to a safe spot for the portkey to take them all back to the classroom, where they were dismissed for the afternoon.
Homework
RP the lesson. I just used wikitravel for resources but feel free to do a bit of research for flavour if you would like! Apologies for the delay in posting and thank you for bearing with me while I've been unwell!
"You're all pretty lucky, since now you'll get to see the moai for yourselves. Without the lengthy boat journey from here to the island. Or the long flight from Chile. Isn't magic incredible?" Gabrielle smirked, handing around a container of sunscreen so the students could put some on their faces as needed. "A couple of ground rules before we go, though. First, do not touch the moai. Some will be on ceremonial platforms, or ahu. Do not, under any circumstances, walk on those. Just because we're cheeky and can just port our way over to the island doesn't mean we have an excuse to disrespect the culture." She spoke sternly, but softened a little. "And don't go out of your way to bother locals. They aren't there for your entertainment, this is their home we're intruding upon. We'll stick together as a group, take a short trek and take in the sights, and then we'll have some lunch while we're at it." She handed out tickets, just in case they had to present them, and water bottles, before nodding at the students and inviting them to touch the portkey. "Alright, make sure touching the portkey, and brace yourselves."
They were promptly lurched through space to the park, thankfully out of sight of anyone, and after getting themselves in order started the hike along the path, looking at moai along the way and pondering how much they might weigh, or how they might be moved. "You know," Gabrielle started, when she was satisfied there was nobody but the students in earshot. "I think a good reason we study so much of ancient history and cultures is perhaps a reminder that the way we learn magic at Hogwarts is from a Latin, Anglo-Saxon basis. But," she added, looking around, impressed. "I think it's good to be reminded that knowledge and use of magic developed independently around the world, and different cultures have different means of performing spellcraft. And if you want it, the whole world is out there for you to develop your magic by understanding different ways of using it." She snorted a little, shaking her head. "Not that I think that was the Ministry's intention. But it's important to think about." She could tell some of the students were rolling their eyes, and brought them to Ovahe Beach, cautioning them to be very careful in walking down the path. She pulled some warmed containers from her bag, glad the magic had held, and placed out some empanadas for everyone, inviting the students to sit and eat. She knew at least some students would appreciate the food. "Plus," she added, taking one and enjoying the fresh sea air. "It's a nice excuse to vary up the meals."
After spending a little while eating and chatting - and dipping their feet in the ocean if they wanted to - they returned to a safe spot for the portkey to take them all back to the classroom, where they were dismissed for the afternoon.
Homework
RP the lesson. I just used wikitravel for resources but feel free to do a bit of research for flavour if you would like! Apologies for the delay in posting and thank you for bearing with me while I've been unwell!
