Caroline Reddington - High Jump

"A few days ago, as we were taking a stroll around our neighborhood square, Father began to talk about going into hiding. He said it would be very hard for us to live cut off from the rest of the world." 

-Anne Frank

  July 5, 1942

I am sure you are wondering why I am quoting Anne Frank from the same month several years in history.  Today on our trip in Amsterdam, we went and visited the Anne Frank House Museum.  We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but visiting and actually seeing where she lived and hid, and to see and read her actual writings, was incredible to say the least.  

Earlier in the day we got to do some exploring on our own where I was able to visit along with fellow classmates and professors the Moco Museum which featured the king of Street Art Bansky, and the artist Andy Warhol. The art was certainly fascinating in it's own way.  In the same area we visited the IAmSterdam sign and even got to meet the European Athletics Championship mascot!

Speaking of which, the European Athletics Championship is the whole reason we are here! So, let me tell you a little bit about the history of one of the event, the High Jump.  The first high jump that was ever recorded actually took place in Scotland in the 19th century.  Athletes jump from the ground over a four-metre long horizontal bar.  There have been different techniques starting with approaching the bar straight on using their legs, and now currently using the Fosbury Flop where the head and shoulders go over the bar first.  At each height they get three attempts per height, or they can pass to the next height.  Whoever has the best jump wins. However, in the event of a tie, the athlete with the least failed jumps will win or there will be a jump off to determine the winner.

We have seen so many interesting things in history, and putting our own imprint on the world, we have the luxury of not having to hide and live cut off from the rest of the world, we are so connected and I look forward to doing more and seeing more on the rest of the trip!!