2026-07-23 Austin Parks, Kayaking, and a Cross-Country Amtrak Adventure
Session Overview The class opened with a moral dilemma about choosing between two bad options, introducing the idiom ‘between a rock and a hard place.’ Learners then shared personal stories about driving as teenagers in Mexico, exploring Austin’s parks, and kayaking on Lake Travis, comparing outdoor culture and nighttime safety across South Korea, China, and the United States. One learner described a month-long solo Amtrak journey from San Diego through Chicago and back to Austin, sparking discussion about train passes, senior discounts, and spontaneous travel. ...