Geography Classes visit Global Religions in Milwaukee

Last week on December 8th, Mukwonago geography students toured a number of religious sites in the Milwaukee area. Thirty students left school at 7:45 and started their tour speaking with a Monk at the Haksa Buddhist Temple in Waukesha. Students were able to speak with a monk living on the site and learn about the Buddhist beliefs, history and the Lao community that is supported by the Temple.

Next students travelled to Milwaukee and spent an hour with a priest at St. Sava's Serbian Orthodox Church. Students expressed their amazement at the beautiful mosaics inside the Orthodox Church and differences they identified from other Christian religions they were familiar with. Many were surprised at the large Serbian population that is served by the church and were interested to hear that the church gives one service in English and one in Serbian every Sunday.

Our lunch break was at the Indian Bar and Grill downtown Milwaukee. Ryan (owner) opened up one half hour early and spoke to students about the geographic regions and influences where the different types of curry and other foods were from. For many students it was their first taste of Indian food and found the spice in the curry was not has hot as they had expected, and others found how amazing mango ice cream truly is.

After lunch students visited St. Josaphat's Catholic Basilica. Students were intrigued at the fact that if the Pope ever came to Wisconsin to speak this would be the church he would speak at (purpose of a Basilica). Also the history of the Polish immigrants in Milwaukee and the construction of the Basilica that was built out of the materials of an old Post Office in Chicago.

Students ended the day at the Islamic Center and Mosque on the southside of Milwaukee. After visiting some extravagant sites students shared how they really appreciated the simplicity inside the mosque with the lack of icons throughout the building and yet the attractive geometric patterns that made up the artwork inside the mosque. We were also lucky enough to be in the mosque during the call to prayer and were able to observe a number of followers come in for prayer.