Hello from DC.Well it's been a great trip and last night we had a good time at the baseball game!We had seats way up high with a view of the ballpark and the city beyond. Eventhough the hometeam got beat by the New York Mets, it was truelly a cultural experience and we had fun singing during the seventh inning stretch! The metro ride back to our hotel was another fun time and when we arrived it hit home that it was our last night together. Another true American Experience.
This morning after packing up, some of us got up early early to see our Venezuelans off in the morning twilight. Soon it was time to board the bus and check in at the airport. After the staff said their goodbyes, I waited at the security gate, tears in my eyes, after all the warm goodbyes, cards of kindness and our last attempt at singing our favorite Abbey Road song, " Somewhere over the rainbow.." As I think back on these last three weeks, I treasure the laughter, fun, conversations, time learning about our similarities and differences. We decided that we would " make a bridge" from venezuela, to russia, to germany, to hungary, to france, to dubai, to italy to the usa. We make a bridge of all our friendships and look to the future when we will see one another again.
Thank you to Jeremy for all his great humor, games, enthusiasm, to Jennika for her caring spirit, great lessons, laughter, to Jennifer for her dedication, ability to keep us all together no matter what, to Janet for being there for eveything we needed at any given time. Thank you to all of you for sending your children to experience such a great summer.
I will post a blog tomorrow when I know everyone has landed safely and we are all in our homes wondering what the plan is for tomorrow. I am sure I will hear " Tracy" from the sweet voices for days to come.
To each of you students don't forget to write, and do one random act of kindness each day. You have touched all our lives forever. Keep singing.
Aloha.
Tracy , Jennika, Jeremy, and Jennifer.
p.s. I invite the staff and students to post your letters so we can hear about your reentry into your home life.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The big tour
Two days before leaving, we spent three hours visiting the city at night. We had a driver and a guide to show us the most beautiful sights and monuments in Washington DC. It was wonderful!
The Indian restaurant
In front of the hotel, there was an Indian restaurant. It became our cafeteria; we spent our last meals there. We celebrated the Jeremy's birthday during one of these moments.
First day in Washington DC
In Washington DC, we visited a lot of monuments like the White House or the Arlington National Cemetery. The sunny weather allowed us to walk around the city and to enjoy this great moment. In the cemetery, we learned to be quiet...
Atlantic City, Washington DC, Holocaust Museum, Georgetown, Smithsonian Museums, National Mall, WHite House, War Memoritals, Lincoln Memorial
Good morning from Washington DC.
We will be posting many photos this morning on the blog so please come back and visit to see some of the excitement.
We left New York on Sunday morning and drove out to Atlantic City. The weather was a bit cloudy so we enjoyed walking on the Boardwalk, watching the many people, checking out the outlet stores and having lunch along the beach.Our driver picked us up and took us by way of the scenic route, due to a detour on the highway.The students were challenged to tell us all the different states we have been in and today we had visited New York, New Jersey, crossed the Potomac on the Delaware Bridge, through Maryland to Washington DC. We have comfortable rooms here at the Days Inn and everyone has said how nice the beds are. I think we were all just a bit tired and were happy to have the big quilts and soft pillows!We had a wonderful dinner across the street from the hotel, where we ate Indian food and were treated like locals!!
On monday we took the metro to the Smithsonian stop and walked the short distance to the Holocaust Museum where we spent the morning. It was an exceptional museum and
the exhibits were filled with facts, photographs and memories of Holocaust survivors.Truly an overwhelming and powerful experience. I am sure it will make a lasting impact on everyone. We had a picnic in
the park and spent the afternoon on a walking tour. In the evening we had dinner in small groups. Some enjoyed chinese food, mexican food, and others went to a french restaurant where there was some musicians playing in a lively area called Adams Morgan.
Tuesday we spent the morning at the American Indian Museum which had incredible exhibits of many of the Native populations that make up the North and South American continents. It is here were we learned more about the first inhabitants of the USA and their many languages, songs, what they wore and how they lived. We saw a spectacular movie in a surround theatre tha was very inspirational. The afternoon included shopping and a trip to Georgetown. We had a dinner of a variety of dishes last night, and then boarded the bus for our night tour of Washington.
It was a beautiful starry night and some of us saw some meteors from the meteor showers. We were amazed at seeing the monuments lit up at night. We walked into the massive Lincoln Memorial and took a stroll through the Korean War Memorial. The statues of the soldiers were overwhelming and looked so real. Our guide also took us see the Lincoln Center, with it's hall of flags, and a view of the city including the Washington Memorial. The city under lights was truly memorable.
We are having a farewell brunch today, a walk to the National Cathedral and time for last minute. Tonight we will be going to see a baseball game where the Nationals will play the Mets. I hope to teach them the Star Spangled Banner and " Take me out to the ballgame" before we leave so that we can join in with the crowd at the stadium. It will be a true AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
The students have come together like a mini United Nations and we have had many conversations where they have shared their life stories from their own homelands. I have learned a great deal from all of them and I know the rest of the staff has as well. We have all grown quite attached and we hope that we will be able to keep in touch. I will send another blog tomorrow after we send them off. I am sure it will be a sad moment, but they are also eager to come home and see all of you and share their stories.
Thank you for such incredibly mature and respectful sons, daughters and grandchildren. I truly believe that they are so special because of the caring jobs you have done as parents and grandparents. I hope you are all safe and talk to you soon.
Aloha from your director Tracy and Jennifer, Jeremy and Jennika.
We will be posting many photos this morning on the blog so please come back and visit to see some of the excitement.
We left New York on Sunday morning and drove out to Atlantic City. The weather was a bit cloudy so we enjoyed walking on the Boardwalk, watching the many people, checking out the outlet stores and having lunch along the beach.Our driver picked us up and took us by way of the scenic route, due to a detour on the highway.The students were challenged to tell us all the different states we have been in and today we had visited New York, New Jersey, crossed the Potomac on the Delaware Bridge, through Maryland to Washington DC. We have comfortable rooms here at the Days Inn and everyone has said how nice the beds are. I think we were all just a bit tired and were happy to have the big quilts and soft pillows!We had a wonderful dinner across the street from the hotel, where we ate Indian food and were treated like locals!!
On monday we took the metro to the Smithsonian stop and walked the short distance to the Holocaust Museum where we spent the morning. It was an exceptional museum and
the exhibits were filled with facts, photographs and memories of Holocaust survivors.Truly an overwhelming and powerful experience. I am sure it will make a lasting impact on everyone. We had a picnic in
the park and spent the afternoon on a walking tour. In the evening we had dinner in small groups. Some enjoyed chinese food, mexican food, and others went to a french restaurant where there was some musicians playing in a lively area called Adams Morgan.
Tuesday we spent the morning at the American Indian Museum which had incredible exhibits of many of the Native populations that make up the North and South American continents. It is here were we learned more about the first inhabitants of the USA and their many languages, songs, what they wore and how they lived. We saw a spectacular movie in a surround theatre tha was very inspirational. The afternoon included shopping and a trip to Georgetown. We had a dinner of a variety of dishes last night, and then boarded the bus for our night tour of Washington.
It was a beautiful starry night and some of us saw some meteors from the meteor showers. We were amazed at seeing the monuments lit up at night. We walked into the massive Lincoln Memorial and took a stroll through the Korean War Memorial. The statues of the soldiers were overwhelming and looked so real. Our guide also took us see the Lincoln Center, with it's hall of flags, and a view of the city including the Washington Memorial. The city under lights was truly memorable.
We are having a farewell brunch today, a walk to the National Cathedral and time for last minute. Tonight we will be going to see a baseball game where the Nationals will play the Mets. I hope to teach them the Star Spangled Banner and " Take me out to the ballgame" before we leave so that we can join in with the crowd at the stadium. It will be a true AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
The students have come together like a mini United Nations and we have had many conversations where they have shared their life stories from their own homelands. I have learned a great deal from all of them and I know the rest of the staff has as well. We have all grown quite attached and we hope that we will be able to keep in touch. I will send another blog tomorrow after we send them off. I am sure it will be a sad moment, but they are also eager to come home and see all of you and share their stories.
Thank you for such incredibly mature and respectful sons, daughters and grandchildren. I truly believe that they are so special because of the caring jobs you have done as parents and grandparents. I hope you are all safe and talk to you soon.
Aloha from your director Tracy and Jennifer, Jeremy and Jennika.
Culinary talents
In NYC, one night, each room had to cook a meal for all the group in order to show their culinary talents. Bon appetit...
The United Nations
We had the opportunity to enter the United Nations main office building. It was a moment of peace.
The statue of liberty
We went to see the famous Statue of Liberty. We had to take the ferry on a beautiful day where we enjoyed the skyline of NYC from liberty island.
The first day in NYC...
For our first day in the Big Apple, we had the chance to look around the city in a limousine...incredible! Then, we went to see the Kanye West concert & the musical "Rent" on Broadway. It was a memorable moment for everybody!
Juan's birthday
Juan was 16 during this trip. We decided to buy a cake for him in order to celebrate this event with him. He was really surprised and happy to share this moment with us...
The talent show
We asked the kids to show their talents, which they did in a fantastic way! They impressed us!! Some even chose to participate at the very last minute. We are proud of their courage.
The raining...
We wanted to show you these pictures because it was a really funny time for us. While we were in the Boston park near the University, it started to rain! After five minutes, we were totally wet from head to foot!!
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