Three Cups of Tea

[Dan]

Welcome everyone! Our discussion on "Three Cups of Tea" will begin on Monday, September 7. Also, the author, Greg Mortenson will be speaking at the Alton Riverfront Amphitheater on October 9 at 12:45. It is free to the public if you are interested.

[Dan]

So... who is reading "Three Cups of Tea?" I read the first chapter, and I'm already hooked.

[Jeff]

I've read the first few chapters. These early chapters remind me of Krakauer's book Into Thin Air. As for mountain adventure, Thin Air is more gripping, but I know that's not this books intent.
I know Mortenson is inspired to build schools for these desperate kids of the himalya. As for a philisophical discussion, I wonder how we all define a school. These kids are learing, to be sure, without Mortenson's school. In what ways does a brick and mortar building legitimize learning?
I'm interested to read about what the kids learn in these new buildings. In what ways, and I'm sure he does, will Mortenson honor the knowledge these kids already possess about living in this mountain region, about community, sacrifice, language etc.

Jeff

[Jeff]

I am into chapter 6. Mortenson is traveling to the Himalya with a $12,000 in an envelop. Jeez, that had to be as harrowing as getting lost on the way down from K2.
So far, and I know I've only just started reading, everything has gone Mortenson's way. A benefactor for his school falls in his lap, and now he has hooked up with Abdul, a cab driver with connections. I'm anticipating the obstacles Mortenson surely had to overcome to get his school built. I'm curious how he was able, as it says in the introduction, to get Taliban fighters to renounce violence and go to work helping him build the schools. I'm thinking building schools is much better diplomacy than building military barracks and air strips. But as Wendell Berry points out in his "Thoughts in the Presence of Fear" essay my seniors just read, there is little profit in the ways of peace.
Is it that simple? I sure hope not.

Jeff

[Jeff]

My seniors just read the Fredrick Douglass essay "Learning to Read and Write." Douglass fought tenaciously for his literacy even when it revealed to him just how unfair the world was. To become literate meant enduring even more pain. Mortenson and the girls for whom he is building these schools fight tenacioulsy for their education.
When I walk the halls of our schools, I don't see the same tenacity. I resist calling what I see apathy. That leads down a path to blaming students. Still, I wonder at the difference. It has to be a more complex issue than merely taking privilige for granted: students today take their education for granted. Do they, I wonder. Do they have reason to be apathetic, if indeed, they are.
And I know I'm generalizing, painting with a broad brush. We do have tenacious, genuine scholars at AHS. And those committed students no more define AHS than do the disconnected.

Jeff

[Dan]

I'm still here Jeff. I have to curse Dan Brown for releasing another fantastic book. It's keeping me up late and I'm falling behind on Mortenson. I'll try to get up to speed with you this week.

I had the same thoughts as you did in your first post regarding the education of "Greg's kids." I teach my environmental science students that local/tribal knowledge can be just as valuable as a Harvard think tank or an NSF funded scientific expedition when it comes to formulating plans to protect natural resources.

I'm interested in seeing if he focuses on "Western Ideals" or if local knowledge is honored.

[Don]

Jeff wrote: " I am into chapter 6. Mortenson is traveling to the Himalya with a $12,000 in an envelop. Jeez, that had to be as harrowing as getting lost on the way down from K2.
So far, and I know..."

Jeff wrote: " I am into chapter 6. Mortenson is traveling to the Himalya with a $12,000 in an envelop. Jeez, that had to be as harrowing as getting lost on the way down from K2.
So far, and I know..."

[Dan]

Jeff wrote: " I am into chapter 6. Mortenson is traveling to the Himalya with a $12,000 in an envelop. Jeez, that had to be as harrowing as getting lost on the way down from K2.
So far, and I know..."

I finished Ch. 6 last night. It's hard to believe that Mortenson was able to secure all of his supplies in one day. I don't think R.P. Lumber could do that in Edwardsville. The crowd he attracted surely had to be salivating over the tools and lumber sitting openly in a truck... overnight! The journey to Korphe will hopefully be interesting.

Jeff wrote: "I've read the first few chapters. These early chapters remind me of Krakauer's book Into Thin Air. As for mountain adventure, Thin Air is more gripping, but I know that's not this books intent.
..."

[Karen]

I'll try to jump in here. I am still on Chapter 6 of the book, and it has been over a week since I have sat down to read it. The idea at the beginning of the book that fascinated me was the fact that others caused Greg's defeat in reaching the summit of K2; however, there seemed to be no blame or repoach on his part. I guess when he reached the village, he was so overwhelmed by the kindness shown, that maybe he thought this was his fate.

[Karen]

I'm now in the middle of Chapter 8. The trip by truck loaded with the supplies made me nervous. Those wheels so close to the edge of the drop-offs reminded me of summer trips we have taken. Dennis always checks out the views while driving treacherous mountain passes, and I am a nervous wreck. I can't imagine riding on top of building materials in the back of a truck. I continue to be impressed by the tenacity and heart Mortenson displays.

[Dan]

Karen wrote: "I'm now in the middle of Chapter 8. The trip by truck loaded with the supplies made me nervous. Those wheels so close to the edge of the drop-offs reminded me of summer trips we have taken. Denn..."

... not to mention the drivers smoking hashish the whole time.

[Dan]

I finished last night. The second half of the book was great. The stories of of success coming from Greg's schools were inspiring. How can I use this information in my classroom? I hate to give my students the old "you think you have it bad," but I think I will anyway. Our students need to know how fortunate they are to have a well rounded education in a clean and safe building. I told my class the story about the girl who wanted to run a hospital, and how difficult her educational road had been. I don't know if they could relate, but it may have struck a chord with a few students.