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VISIT TO WASHINGTON DC
9/3/2007

Who Wants to be in America?

Twenty two girls, Mrs Ward and myself jetted off to the wintry capital of America, Washington DC, for five days of Art, History, sightseeing and relaxation. After a reasonably relaxing eight hour flight from Heathrow to Dulles, watching movies, eating and drinking and filling in immigration forms which included some interesting questions, for example - ‘Are you, or have you ever been a member of a terrorist organisation?’ Thankfully, none of the girls answered yes. As a result, we safely negotiated Customs. After a short coach journey, we arrived safely at our hotel in the centre of DC. We sorted out rooms, started to unpack and then went for a quick meal at McDonalds, before returning to our hotel and getting a deserved good night’s sleep.

 

On our first full day, after a hearty breakfast, we set off for a tour of the Government buildings with our guide Jurgen. On this four hour walking tour, we visited the Capitol Building (see picture opposite), the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. This was a cold and icy morning as you can see from the photograph opposite. We spent the         afternoon in the National Gallery. That evening we ate at a local Thai restaurant.

 

On day two, Jurgen took us on a long tour of the monuments of Washington, starting with the White House, then moving on to the World War II, Korean and Vietnam Memorials. I was pleased by the         reaction of the girls to the Korean and Vietnam     Memorials. For me the highlight was the Lincoln Memorial and the spot where Martin Luther King made one of the greatest speeches of the C20th—’I have a Dream’. Looking out over the Mall, trying to imagine it filled with 250,000 people all listening to this one inspirational figure was something I will    remember for a long time. We then trekked out to  Arlington Cemetery to look at the grave of John F Kennedy and for the view of DC.

 

Thankfully we returned to the centre of DC on the Metro where we recuperated at the Old Post Office, before heading off to the National Portrait Gallery and Gallery of American Art. We then hopped over the road to eat at Ella’s Pizzeria. The following day, we visited a number of art galleries before walking to Union Station for movies, shopping and dinner. Our final day saw us visit Ford’s Theatre, where Lincoln was assassinated, before going to Chinatown to see the Arch (and to do some shopping). We then waited in Starbucks for our coach to take us to Potomac Mills Shopping Mall. We then went to Dulles in the falling snow where it
seemed as if our flight was the only one flying that day. Six hours

after take-off, we arrived back at Heathrow, and despite the coach breaking down, we arrived back at school safe but tired. Mrs Ward and I would like to thank all the girls for making this trip so enjoyable.           

Mr K Wilson



after take-off, we arrived back at Heathrow, and despite the coach breaking down, we arrived back at school safe but tired. Mrs Ward and I would like to thank all the girls for making this trip so enjoyable.           

Mr K Wilson