This morning we said goodbye to the big apple and made our way south. The bus rides are starting to become a magical time to be able to listen in on all of the conversations, laughs and friendships that are starting to bud on this trip. The first leg passed by very quickly and we soon found ourselves in Philadelphia. We made our way to the Rocky Steps at the Art Museum and had a little race! I won for sure but unfortunately, there's no photos of the race ;-). We next went to learn about the creation of the democracy and government of the US as it exists today: the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. We learned of the journey towards independence when we visited the Liberty Bell and then went over to Independence Hall which is where the Constitution and Bill of Rights were drafted and deliberated.
Now it was time to head off to lunch at Reading Market and we got to see amazing booths and different food vendors. We are also close to Amish Country, and these communities had several booths in the markets as well. Of course, the majority of us got a Cheesesteak with whiz - and oh, how delicious!
After lunch we got back on the bus to digest our meals and head off to Washington. We passed by a port where military ships come to be decommissioned, and several other industrial factories. What should have been a relatively quick journey kept getting longer and longer as traffic slowly started to build and we ended up hitting major rush hour traffic just outside of Georgetown. A quick change of plans took us to dinner first and then memorials afterwards. Dinner was a great feed of fresh pizza, pasta and salads! With some fresh baked cookies to finish it off. Then we headed right into the heart of Washington to do some exploring. We first stopped to get a picture with good 'ol Albert Einstein. We then crossed the street and paid our respects at the Vietnam Memorial. Our last memorial visit with Abraham Lincoln which is such an iconic memorial that is quite well known and surely did not disappoint in its grandeur.
From the top of the steps of the Lincoln memorial, we could see the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building and the rest of the National Mall. Before leaving for the hotel, we had a special surprise stop, and walked along the backside of the White House for some photographs. The weather was surprisingly warm as spring is definitely in the air. And with all the walking and good food, our students were definitely ready for some shut eye.
Today we are off to the city again for some exploring - thankfully inside - with 100% chance of rain. Oh the delights of springtime travel on the Eastern Seaboard! Also, we have been blessed by the internet gods with amazing internet and I was able to upload a big update of pictures! Enjoy :)
March 29, 2017: Day Five!
Our last day in New York had an ominous beginning with a bit of cloud holding the threat of rain in the air. But that didn't stop us! We set off to trek across the Brooklyn Bridge on foot and on our way back, the sun started to peak out. By the time we made it back across the river, the sun was fully out and blue skies were breaking open everywhere. We took a drive through Greenwich village afterwards where there are several amazing jazz clubs and other iconic buildings from film and tv.
This brought us to the Chelsea Highline. This is a reclaimed elevated railway that used to be the main artery for the meat packing district, but has now become 2.5mile public green space. We walked a section of the line that wove amongst buildings and offered some beautiful vistas. This worked up quite an appetite and we boarded the bus to head to Time Square for lunch and some shopping.
The SHOPPING! What once seemed like a daunting task of taking 16 teenagers through Time Square was now as easy as pie. We took in a few of the shops before we met our tour guide again to go to Central Park.
This easily has to be the highlight of the trip. The hour or two we spent, soaking in the sunshine, strolling around was pure delight. We saw new friendships forming. Kids talking that normally would never even say hello at school, but now are becoming fast friends. Just to be able to take in some sun, some quiet and many laughs was just what we needed before we headed off to dinner.
After dinner, we were aiming for an earlier night back at the hotel; however, we were passing by an area with a park that has a fantastic view of the Manhattan nighttime skyline. We stopped there for a few photos then were back on the bus to the hotel for an early night in.
Today (Thursday), we are transiting to Washington, DC, with a stop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania first. I will update you all when we arrive! I'll also try to post some pictures while we are transiting on the bus.
March 28, 2017: Day Four!
Good Morning! What a (wet) day! We were here there and everywhere today, and mother nature thought we looked a little too dry and thankfully brought us some rain. We set off early to catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island where an estimated 17 million immigrants passed through on their way to the United States to make a new life for themselves. This was such an interesting day to learn the stories of all of these brave immigrants. Afterwards we headed off by ferry to Manhattan Island for a walking tour of the Financial District. We saw the charging bull statue and the newly installed fearless girl statue. The message behind what these two statues now hold together bring such an interesting conversation about gender equality. We then headed to see the New York Stock Exchange where George Washington was originally inaugurated and held office before the seat of power was shifted to Washington.
After lunch, we visited the 9/11 memorial. Earlier that day we saw the 9/11 memorial for New Jersey, but this was the actual memorial and museum to commemorate the lives and the events of that day. The students were awestruck at the shape and footprint of the two buildings that were now marked by the memorial pools. Around the edge, are inscribed the names of everyone whose lives were lost. As we were leaving the area, we drove by a chapel that was just a few blocks away. While every other building had its windows blown out and suffered lots of damage, this chapel was left remarkably untouched. The firefighters would sleep in the pews to catch a moment's reprieve while taking part in rescue efforts.
To try to ease the mood, we then took off to Little Italy and Chinatown where the students got to try their hands at bartering for some souvenir items. They were trying to make every penny of that allowance go as far as they could before we went to enjoy a nice dinner!
The rain was still not letting up, so after dinner we headed to Time Square and stepped into a store before joining the loooooong queue for the show. And what a show! The students were boasting about it the entire ride home! Rolling in late at night, we opted for a bit of a later start this morning to head into the city for our last full day of New York. Our last chance to soak up all the magic of the city that never sleeps.
Until tomorrow!
March 27, 2017: Day Three!
Our first day in New York! We got up early and hit the road for the big apple. Soon, we found out the true meaning of traffic! The interstates were a bit clogged but finally made it. The fog slowly unveiled the island of Manhattan as we made our journey to mid town. We took a stop at the Grand Central Terminal to view the 22 million dollar clock, the beautifully constructed ceiling and the other ornate features. After lunch in the dining concourse, we took to the streets. Taking in the New York Library with over 80 million items in its collection, was a special treat, especially to go in and see the amazingly constructed reading rooms. Next, it was on to our walking tour of 5th avenue. Passing the high fashion stores, we soon found ourselves at Trump Tower. We could see immediately that security was high, as the first lady and the president's son still reside in the tower.
After passing through security, we got to go in and see a few of the shops, the beautiful atrium, a massive nike store, and get a warm drink at Starbucks. Then it was time to go, but not without a little hello and visit with Paulie, the extra friendly sniffer dog with the NYPD. Our walking tour took us next to Time Square. WOW! People everywhere and so much to see. This was just a first taste of time square for some photos and sight seeing. We will be coming back in a couple days to be able to stop into some of the stores. There were quite the sights to see. A man with pet rats on his shoulders, some not-so-friendly looking Disney mascots, and any other number of street vendors trying to sell their wares. Thankfully we were on foot for this day as there would have been no way for the motor coach to make it through any of it! Two words to sum the afternoon up would be traffic and people!
When we left time square we continued on to dinner at a local kosher delicatessen. The students all sampled some of the fine meats but after a long day of travelling and walking, and a mix of some different food, made for a lack of appetite.
Once dinner was finished, that meant only one more stop of the day - The Empire State Building. When we were in Boston, we only made it up to the 52 floor of the Prudential Building. Now, we made it up to the 86th floor! The crowded lines and long journey up were well worth the vistas! Seeing Times Square, the rest of the island of Manhattan and the other boroughs was such a sight! The kids were all a little taken aback by the views! Making our way down and back to the bus took a bit of time, then the drive out to New Jersey allowed the kids to decompress and the weight of the day set in. This all combined to make for some tired kiddos who checked in and then checked out of a busy day.
Off to explore the financial district tomorrow! Until then.
March 26, 2017: Day Two!
Today was an early start from the hotel. After breakfast, we headed off to Salem. We had a great morning touring around, listening to some of the history of the area and the great commerce that the ports used to see. We then went to the Salem Witch Museum to learn about the rich history of the witch trials and how such a horrible event arouse, and how those wrongfully accused were eventually pardoned. After some exploration time in some of the shops, we had lunch then back onto the bus to head back in to Boston.
Once in the city, we headed straight to Fenway Park. We were a bit early so popped into the Red Sox Team Merch store and had the chance to pick up some swag. Then we headed off to our private tour of the stadium. Our tour guide shared some great stories and the history of the green monst-ah! As the season opens soon, crews were hard at work preparing the playing surface and the rest of the stadium. It was great to take in the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball!
After we left the monst-ah, we headed out to Cambridge to tour around Harvard. The beautiful campus was founded in the mid 1600s and one of the oldest buildings still stands that was built in the mid 1700s. The beautiful grounds, too, had many great stories and a rich history. For example, one of the patrons of the university and his wife were on the fateful journey of the Titanic. The wife survived and made a substantive donation to the university, building a library in her husband and son's memory. As a stipulation, she required that any student at the University, must learn to swim - a tradition that would continue for many many years after.
After our guided tour, we headed back into Boston for a walking tour along Boston's Freedom Trail. The trail includes 16 sites that reflect the road to the Declaration of Independence, the formation of the United States and the separation from England. It was a great experience for students to put these stories and sites together with their lessons from Social Studies.
The chilly walk took us by one of the most popular bakeries in Boston's Italian district - Mike's Bakery. After some packages of canolys wrapped up for tonight's snack we headed off to dinner and a chance to rest after the long day.
As I write this, we are off to the hotel for a well earned rest. Tomorrow is another early start and then off to Big Apple!
March 25, 2017: Day One!
Hello Parents!
After a thankfully uneventful day of travel, we finally landed to a little bit of drizzly in Boston. We met our Tour Director Jackie and our Bus Driver Jay and were off to go into the heart of Boston. We explored around Faneuil Hall and had dinner at Quincy Market. This was such a bustling market and the food, shopping and sight seeing downtown were excellent! Some students ventured out to try authentic New England Clam Chowder, Hot Buttered Lobster Rolls, and for the sweet teeth: of course a Boston Cream Pie!
We then went up to the 50th floor of the Prudential Building for an interpretive 360 degree sky walk view of the city.
Lastly, we went to our hotel to find we were on the newly renovated floor and everyone quickly turned in for the end to a very long day!
It was delightful to find that our night guard also went around on the floor to quiet everyone else! A good sleep indeed!