2026 Wrap Up

What an incredible journey! We traveled over 100,000 miles!From the snowy peaks of Antarctica to the bustling streets of Dhaka, we’ve "traveled" thousands of miles together over the last 24 hours. Whether we were learning about 4,000 types of potatoes in Peru or dodging (theoretical) traffic in Bangladesh, it’s been a global adventure to remember.

A Huge Thank You!

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our community. A massive shout-out to Chick-fil-A and Marco’s Pizza for donating food to keep us fueled and to Dr. Willi for making us breakfast early in the morning! Trying to learn about the world on an empty stomach is basically impossible, so thank you for the delicious donations that kept our energy high.

Some Very Special News 🏆

Finally, we had a major "stop the presses" moment during our World Tour! Mrs. Bartling was surprised by Dr. Rapp with some amazing news: she has been named a finalist for Librarian of the Year! 

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Thank you for following along with us! We hope you learned something new, laughed a little at our travel stories, and feel just a bit more connected to the big, beautiful world out there.

Until next time, keep exploring! 🌍✈️

March 13, 2026 - 10:00am - Liberia

The flag of Liberia is red, white, and blue; it has one star and 11 stripes. Liberia has a very young population, with the average age being 18, and there are over 28 different ethnic groups.

Daily life is quite different there. For food, cassava and couscous is a very common combination that people mix together, and meat and fish are common ingredients they use. Because of a lack of refrigeration in Liberia, you have to use your milk within a week. They also don't have very fancy movie theaters. If you want to see nature, you can go to man-made waterfalls there. When shopping, they use United States dollars because they are much more valuable over there. On a broader scale, Africa is doing very well when it comes to finance; a lot of people in Africa are wealthy, and the natural resources are rich as well.

The education system struggles a lot. Liberia has more private schools than public schools because a lot of stuff was destroyed in the past, and their government is corrupt, so they put the least amount of money into schools. In fact, the Liberian government doesn’t give a single book to their citizens for education! Schools have to get their money from churches and donations. The schools also have a high classroom population—a single class could have 50 to 60 students. Because of that, the slower students don't get to catch up easily, so drop-out rates are high.

Family life is also very different. It’s common to have more than one or two wives in the household. The husband (obviously...) gets the power in the household, and then the first wife, and then, you know, so on and so forth. Women can only have ONE husband, while the husbands can have AS MANY as they WANT.

So basically... Liberia doesn’t sound like your dream country unless you’ve already graduated school, you have 28 wives in your harem, you're stinking rich, and you’re part of the corrupt government.

March 13, 2026 - 9:00am - National Museum of the Pacific War (WWII) - Fredericksburg, Texas, USA

We talked to someone at a WWII museum that taught us about several animals that played a large role during the war. The British were the first to establish a war dog program in WWI. The dogs were trained to protect and save soldiers. In WWII, the US finally established its own war dog program in March. German Shepherds were mostly used in WWII; the reason was that they were very attached to their handlers, making them protect their handler if the medics could not reach them in time.

Dogs weren't the only animals involved! Cats also served in the war and were responsible for pest control. A duck also served in the war! They also used horses and an elephant! Sadly, some of these animals didn’t get recognition for their honor until the 1990s, as awards like that simply did not exist back then.We also learned about other parts of the war. For example, a "Hellship" was a means of transportation used for POWs (Prisoners of War).

Did you know that today is K9 Veteran's Day!?!

March 13, 2026 - 8:00am - Ice Cube Neutrino Research Center - South Pole, Antarctica

The journey to the South Pole takes five trips: Madison, WI; Denver, CO; Christchurch, NZ; McMurdo Station; and finally, the South Pole! To survive there, the Extreme Cold Weather Gear includes a warm stuffed jacket and other items. The South Pole station is elevated and shaped to control snow drift, and the whole station can actually be lifted. Everyone there is part of the emergency team. Getting fresh food (called "freshies") every day is a challenge. The recreation outside is mostly plain snow, but people can snowboard on it.

They showed us an image of the "IceCubers" (the people who work there). The IceCubers can have problems moving around, maybe because they are probably blocked by traffic, but by the looks of it, not that many people will have trouble moving around!

They talked about how the IceCube detector has multiple sensors and radars. They study particles that can move through things! The IceCube drill camp is only open in the summer, and the workplace for the ICL (IceCube Lab) has an open house then, too. People working at the drill camp use ropes and hinges to move things around. In the drill camp, there's a 2.5 km hose reel, hot water pumps, generators, the IceCube Lab, and the drill tower.

They also showed us a timeline for Neutrino Astronomy in Antarctica. In 1988, the telescope in the ice was envisioned, and in 2000, the AMANDA telescope was completed. I won't put the rest of the timeline because we ran out of time!

March 13, 2026 - 6:00am - South Africa

This call was rescheduled and very short due to a timing conflict. 

In the beginning, Matt told us about how he was born in South Africa and that he didn't just move there. Then, he guided us and started telling us about what his surroundings were like, describing the objects around his setup (he does voice acting and voice overs). 

South Africa has many different cultures and has 12 official languages! They listen to Afrikaans music there. They also celebrate Heritage Day to celebrate diverse culture, traditions, and beliefs. He also told us about a monument that is near a city in South Africa.

After that, we moved on and started talking about objects people can defend themselves with in South Africa, like the AK-47 and the machine gun.

We also learned some interesting cultural facts. In South Africa, they have a dish called a "walkie-talkie"—yes, like the communication devices! They are chicken heads and feet that are typically fried! Finally, if you get married, you have to offer two dowries (which is like a gift).

March 13, 2026 - 5:00am - Japan

The interview with Mari starts off with Japan’s kind of manners, such as not putting your elbows on the table. When in school, students are required to take off their shoes before heading off to class. Interestingly, high school isn’t mandatory in Japan; however, you are required to take a test in order to get into one. After school, students often go to little shops for small cakes and treats.

Japanese food, compared to America, is very healthy and nutritious. An example is fermented beans, miso soup, and rice. The convenience stores and shops are also different from America’s. One of the weirdest things in Japan is a drink that's both jello and watery! Other interesting things include noodle shops with buttons designated for delivering the food. Hokkaido has glaciers and really good food that would appeal to both Americans in general and Texans. There’s also tons of gummy bears and diversity in Japan.

Before Tokyo became the capital of Japan, it was a place called Kyoto—a popular tourist spot for foreigners, combining both city life and rural life. As of right now, it’s cherry blossom season. Japan has a variety of things to do; theme parks and parks in general are present all over Japan. Getting around is easy because the Shinkansen train is incredibly fast and efficient as a means of transportation. Overall, Japan is very clean.

We learned a lot about their culture, too. Common sports include baseball, soccer, rugby, and basketball, and dogs and cats are the more popular pets. The biggest holiday for the Japanese is New Year's. Also, in Japan, girls give gifts to the boys on Valentine's Day, and on March 14th, the boys give back. Parties aren’t as common in Japan as in America, but Japanese people are heavily influenced by Western movies and Hollywood. Mrs. Green Apple is a popular rock band there. We also learned some fun facts: toilet seats are heated while you do your business, and one of the popular sayings in Japanese is ‘Yabai’, meaning ‘What the heck’ or ‘Oh my goodness’. Also, Manga originated in Japan!

March 13, 2026 - 3:00am - MYSTERY - Australia

The mystery country is Australia, and our speaker was Mr. Watson! He was our science teacher that recently moved back to Australia. He is in the western suburbs of Sydney. Did you know the toilet in Australia is different than the USA? It doesn't swirl like it does here. They also have flipped seasons; while we are going into spring, they are going into fall. Currently, there are multiple surfing competitions happening right now because surfers can surf in any weather. He has even seen the Sydney Symphony play in the Opera House.

He lovesss Vegemite and eats it in a “Vegemite roll.” A typical breakfast would be a fried egg and some toast, and a typical dinner might be a meat pie. One of the weirdest things he's eaten was kangaroo on a pizza, which does not sound good. The stuff he does in his free time is mostly the same as it was in Texas, but he does enjoy going on more walks. He lives close to a shopping center. In Australia, things aren't open as late as in the USA. Here, things will close around 11 pm, but there, they close around 5 pm. Also, January 26th is "Australia Day," which is very similar to the 4th of July.

He really likes the schools in Australia. They are different from the USA, but he likes them. In schools, there are five classes a day. Each class is one hour long, and then the whole school has a 20-minute recess and a 40-minute lunch. The school system seems very different there than here because the campus is K-12 instead of being split into elementary, middle, and high schools. Everyone in the school has the same schedule (for example, Mr. Watson’s son has the same schedule as Mr. Watson). After school hours, it's common to see lots of students walking around the shops in their school uniforms. Basically, all schools wear uniforms!

In Australia, there's lots of public transportation, and it's really convenient. There is a train leaving every 7 minutes, and there are also buses and ferries you can take to get around. A ferry will even take you right to a beach! There are really cool history, art, and other museums in every big city. Finally, one of the coolest animals Mr. Watson has seen is a cockatoo. He sees them in the wild all the time.

#IMISSYOUMRWATSONSIGNEDSOFIA

March 13, 2026 - 2:00am - MYSTERY - Bangladesh

The mystery country is Bangladesh! It is located in the Northern Hemisphere and is 12 hours ahead of us. It has one of the most famous cities in the world, Dhaka. The country has a distinct dry season and a rainy season; the summer is very humid and "jungle-like," while the winter is very short, lasting only about three weeks to a month.

Getting around Bangladesh sounds like quite an adventure. There are trains and buses that are always packed—people even ride on top of them! There are a lot of accidents because there are so many people. Unlike here in Texas, people don’t have the "right of way." The roads are very loud with constant honking, and the traffic is so thick that an ambulance sometimes couldn't even reach you in time.

Bangladesh is a Muslim country, and Ramadan is the most popular holiday. It lasts for 30 days, usually through April, and schools get let out for three days of parades and celebrations. People also use henna on their arms and hands a lot. We learned that the traditional instrument there is called the Ektara. Because of their native language, Bengali, many people have a specific accent when speaking English.

The food sounds delicious but intense! People in Bangladesh love spicy food, and most dishes are served with rice. They have a special treat called Pitha (or "Pitca"), which is only available during the winter. If you like nature, there is a very, very long beach you can visit (Cox's Bazar), and there are beautiful rivers where you can stay overnight on a boat and even spot tigers!

On a more serious note, the average person struggles with poverty. It's important to realize that 3,000 Taka is actually a very small amount (around $25–$30 USD), which highlights how difficult things can be. Many kids don’t even pass the 2nd grade because they have to leave school to work. Also, there are many stray dogs and cats, but they are often considered "unclean," which we found very sad.

March 13, 2026 - 1:00am - O'ahu, Hawai'i, USA

We talked to Kim, who moved to Hawaii several years ago and still lives there with her family. While you live in Hawaii, literacy is heavily influenced by everyday life. Their traditional dance is called the Hula, where the women (and sometimes men) dance in a pa'u skirt. They are currently in very rainy and stormy weather, but it isn’t uncommon to see Hawaiians walk on the beach or surf as a hobby. Hawaii also has traditional chants where people go into a forest and chant Hawaiian words. Other islands are less populated, but the one Kim lives on has one of the highest populations, even though it is not the biggest island. All the islands are known for their own unique things such as scenery, economy, population, and tradition, and some have a little bit of everything.

A lot of people actually move to the mainland because it is somehow more affordable than Hawaii itself. A lot of local people depend on tourists for their incomes because of how many visitors come. Tattoos are wildly popular in Hawaii, especially using the traditional sticks like you see in popular Polynesian movies. Hawaii is very set on not following all of the United States' rules because they feel like they should have some form of their own independence. However, some Hawaiian foods are based on American food, such as a burger with a steak patty! Kids also enjoy holidays the same way we do today because, well, they still are part of the United States. Jokes and trends from the US are widely spread in Hawaii, so they really aren’t as foreign as others believe.

There is a lot of nature to see. You can go paddleboarding or on boat tours, and you can almost be in touch with whales, sea turtles, and fish. You can also see dolphins around, but never go too close and don’t scare or harm the sea animals. The most liked animal is the humpback whale because of its friendliness and huge size as a gentle giant. People fiercely protect Hawaii's greenery, beaches, and mountains; especially after the fires, they want to take extra precautions about their nature. For example, people think that throwing rocks is disrespectful. Think about it: it's like throwing your own grandma! People there remember their ancestors, and they feel bad if you're not connected to your own ancestral roots. There are also rock walls around fish ponds for restoration so they can add life back to them, and some have stayed there for over 800 years.

The first time Kim got there, she saw a volcano erupt and new landmasses forming. Kilauea is a volcano that's known for not exploding directly; instead, it erupts through cracks and tension, so the eruption lasts a lot longer. People even like to snowboard on the tallest mountain in Hawaii! Overall, it doesn’t get very hot there. The hottest is around 80 degrees and the coldest is around 50 degrees, so they have very nice weather. We have pollen over here, but they have another type of allergic plant.

They have some unique slang, too. “Da Kine” is a slang phrase people use when they can't remember the real word for something, like when you say “the thing.” If someone in Hawaii is talking about you, they might say “Mary” if you're a girl—not because your name is actually Mary, but just because it's a female name used in their language.

When going to a home in Hawaii, you have to be very mindful to take your shoes off when entering the house. Although they encourage tourists to visit Hawaii, it is highly recommended that you don’t move there permanently. Hawaii isn’t really kept up with just the natives; there are a lot of people who aren't from Hawaii that stay there. The ocean is very visible throughout the islands; everywhere you are, the ocean isn’t too far away. Honestly, you might as well not have left the States considering how similar it is to the rest of North America!

March 12, 2026 - 10:00pm - Peru

Right now, at 10 PM on March 12th, we are learning from Mr. Jeremy Daggett about Peru. He lives in Arequipa, Peru. We learned that there are more than 4,000 different types of potatoes there, and there is even a National Peru Potato industry! His favorite is the small red Indian potato. A classic breakfast at his home is sourdough bread with avocado on top, fresh mango juice on the side, and other foods like spinach and strawberries. We also learned that Chinese laborers brought over many Chinese roots and cultures to Peru, such as rice and other cultural things.

The origin story of the Inca people says that the Sun God and the God of the lake gave birth to the first humans. They gave them knowledge on how to irrigate and do many other things, passing it down to newer generations and forming the way they live. The Inca had a popular, big empire that lasted 100 years before the Spanish colonized it and the Incas died from diseases and wars. Today, one of their historic landmarks is Machu Picchu, an old set of ruins from the Inca Empire that became one of the 7 New Wonders of the World after being found 500 years later. Peru also has lots of cathedrals and places built with white volcanic stone, like the "Petra of Peru."

Llamas and alpacas have been here since the Incas. They are amazing climbers and can climb over hills and mountains. The difference between them is that if it's cute, it's an alpaca, and if they are taller and less cute, they’re a llama. Alpacas are cuter and fluffier than llamas! There are lots of other crazy animals, too. If you put your fingers in the water, you might find piranhas; you use steak or beef as bait to catch them. There are red howler monkeys (the male version has a crazy loud scream), squirrel monkeys, and giant hummingbirds that are 6 inches tall. There are also caimans, which are largeeee crocodiles that can be 15 feet long! Leafcutter ants are VERY SMALL, but they can carry leaves four times larger than themselves to make houses. When the leaves decompose, the ants use it as a food source. There are even bats that camouflage in the day to look like leaves swinging in the wind, and a prehistoric-looking fish called a paiche that is the size of a human child.

The largest and most important export from Peru is copper. It is really, really valuable. Different mines extract it from caves and export it to other countries as a major resource, making a strong economy for Peru. Lots of other things, such as avocados and rice, come from Peru to the US in the winter. For living situations, many houses are small and close together, not allowing people to have a front yard or backyard to themselves. There are also floating islands along the coast and in large lakes. They are made out of totora reeds, and many families and cultures live there.

The most popular sport to watch and play is soccer (fútbol). It's mostly men and boys that play. Women mainly play volleyball (ayyyy!). Gymnastics and other sports are played too, but volleyball and soccer are the main ones. For music, the trendiest songs are from artists from the US like Bad Bunny, but a young Peruvian rapper named Renata Flores is also very popular.