Jura Mt. Challenge

A couple weeks ago, my class was dropped off in the Jura Mountains (Mt. range bordering France). The mission? Navigate through the Mt's. using a compass and map, successfully complete tasks at several checkpoints, and reach the end as a cohesive group. The day started off conspicuously enough, with me having left my map at home. Luckily, my group consisted of almost all military men who had brought their maps and who were more than eager to show their aptitude with logistics. The Finnish naval commander promptly set the course, while the French military officer scrambled to be scout, leaving me to chat with a diplomat in the group.

A couple km into the woods, we reached the first checkpoint. Promptly selected by the Finnish naval officer to lead the group, I attempted to keep my voice heard above the booming German naval commanders' directions of "left...right...left..." * we didn't have a photo--so this is another group completing the exercise*We finished speedily and efficiently, which set a positive tone for the day. Elated, we decided to engage in an optional activity; riding a miniature bike down a hill in order to test balance and agility.

Seemingly harmless ( we found out later that the previous participant went to the hospital for chest and hand x-rays, after falling off the bike), I eagerly volunteered. My mediocre success emboldened the robust German naval commander to hop on, impressing all of us. Not to be outdone, the French military officer launched into a deep rendition of Aqua's, "I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie World" (a tribute to the pink bike), and we sang our way to the next checkpoint.

The next checkpoint was deep in the woods...perfect for hunting, or in our case, shooting inanimate objects. Luckily for me, my shot ricocheted, enabling me to hit three targets with one bullet. Grudgingly impressed, the military guys selected me for the extra and final turn, which also turned out well, and subsequently earned me the nickname of "sniper." (Sorry, mom)


After the shooting exercise, the staff (one woman is pictured above) ordered us to sing a song for her and the other staffer. We promptly launched once more into "Barbie girl" surprising the woman, who confessed she had never had six grown men sing such a song to her before (we later found out that we got extra points for it. :)

Three checkpoints later (building a fire in wind/ smashing together into a small tent; crossing an (imaginary) alligator-invested swamp with only tires and some wood, and sliding down a zip line), **picture below is a different group**

we arrived at our final destination--a pub.

After a couple beers (we had to wait an hour and a half for two groups that got lost), we then partook in a light dinner of meat and cheese, and ended the evening with group poetry performances.

Being somewhat type A personalities, we had composed our three verse limerick the day before after class...

But, suddenly gun-shy about their English, the military officers asked me to lead it while they repeated the chorus line in a type of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's umpa lumpa fashion. (video posted soon)

After the performances finished, the judges (our course administration and faculty) huddled together in the adjacent room to tally points, while we continued our meal.

Upon returning, it was announced that my group won the competition and we were soon ambushed with a delicious bottle of champagne. So very Swiss...and a perfect conclusion to an interesting and fun day.