I had narrowed my trip choices for August down to the oddly disparate Finland/Baltics and Peru (Machu Picchu, rainforest) and really couldn't decide which one to choose, so I took my question to an unlikely group of experts: my seventh grade geography class. I presented the two options to them with the promise that their vote would be binding.

They explored the atlas: possible natural disasters, altitude, topography, economy, and so forth, and asked questions that indicated a fair amount of sense. A visit to Lapland and crossing the Arctic Circle seemed appealing...you could go rafting in Peru...there are long sunny days in the northern summer...all were considered.

So which did they choose? Peru has the possibility of tsunamis and earthquakes whilst Finland has reindeer and a ferry. These are newly-minted teenagers....

What do you think they chose?

Is this a quiz?

I'll play. I think Peru. I miss teaching geography.

I'll vote for Finland. How long do you keep us in suspense?

I will vote for Machu Pichu. Never been there and too old to attempt it now because of my health, its altitude and my physical strength concerns. Go while you are young. Wish I had.
But when I had the youth, I had not the time and money. Now I have both, but I don't want to come out across a donkey's back or in a helicopter.

Hi Amy,

What a great way of teaching geography! I would choose Finland so I'll guess the teens chose Peru for the sense of danger and the unexpected.

I bet your students love your geography class!
I think they would pick whichever is further away from where ever you are now.
I'm tempted to cheat and go ask my 6th grade son what his vote would be, but it's 7 15 a.m. on a Saturday here, and he's sound asleep!
Annette

What a great pedalogical ploy!!! Now how can I that with college philosophy students???

From a geographical standpoint vs cultural I would guess -- oh po -- I CAN'T guess -- Finland?? It's a water vs mtns thing for me :wide

Congratulations Amy - you've hooked me in!

My guess is Finland/Baltics.

JJ

The romance of a ferry would be lost on kids where I live, since ferries are a common part of the landscape. At a guess, I'd say the thrill of an earthquake would likely be lost on kids living in California.

I need to know more about the kids themselves and their own experiences. Not to mention whether the majority are adventurous or cautious types...

Finland ?

Ditto, Finland. The adventure of going into the Arctic Circle would probably steer kids in that direction.

Okay, so this is stereotyping. Seventh grade = what, 12 and 13 year olds?

Boys, Peru - rafting, Inca human sacrifice, mountain cities, Spanish conquest... major video game stuff.

Girls, Finland - reindeer, Lapps, midnight sun, quite lakes...

Close vote, I'll guess Finland/Baltics.

Good grief . . . Do we have to wait until Monday to find out? This is killing me.

Well, some of you are right!

For those who need more info to guess: it's about evenly divided boys/girls (but the voting didn't break down genderly {is that a word?}) and they live in an East Coast city that is historically important, so neither earthquakes nor ferries are part of their common experiences.

Anyway, the vote was 20 to 8 in favor of...

yes???

Amy! What a fantastic teacher you are! To tell the kids they are the ultimate decision makers here is pretty cool!

My guess is they shall choose Machu Picchu as it's a bit more exotic sounding.

BTW, MP is on my short list, too. I was thinking about it for this March but am doing Budapest and northern Italy instead. Can't wait to hear if you are going there and will want the scoop as usual!

Bravo to you!

Hmm - I'll guess Finland, since you posted this on the Europe board.

"Anyway, the vote was 20 to 8 in favor of... "

Staying home and teaching summer school?

Come on. You've got us all on tenterhooks!! Not fair.

Interesting post...
If you live in the East where it is cold, I imagine they have had enough snow.
If you live in the west and there are a lot of hispanic kids in the class they might be interested in getting in touch with bits of their Inca heritage.
If you live in the west, snow doesn't sound all that exciting unless it would be for snow boarding. I can't imagine anyone Finland might sound a little boring next to Peru.
I would place my bet on Peru.
When are you going to tell us?