This little summary will not do it justice, but I have a lot to cover! All twenty-five or so of us flew into Washington, D.C. on Sunday, April 7. We were divided into eight workshops of about twenty kids. We were with these groups all week as we had discussions and debates and learned as we toured monuments, memorials, and buildings. The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial was definitely my favorite as he was one of my favorite people in the world.
Another highlight was the Library of Congress where I got to explore Thomas Jefferson's personal library. I also loved the Smithsonian Museum of American History--it's very strange to see actual parts of history, like documents and clothes, and try to understand they are the originals. Mind boggling, really. Our capitol tour was nothing short of unbelievable. For any of you Hunger Games fans, I'm positive "the Capitol" was based off our nation's own. As we walked through long white hallways floored with shiny marble and lined with identical black doors, all I could think of was the similarities between the fictional capitol in the books and movie and the reality I was visiting. The best part of the Kennedy Center was going up to the terrace and getting the best view of the city.
City lights reflected on water never gets old. The most beautiful part, to me, was not the warm, sunny weather--although that was very nice--but the blooming cherry blossoms.
They were EVERYWHERE in D.C. and every time I saw them I was still awed by their humble beauty.
Another humble beauty was discovered in the second half of the trip in New York City: Central Park.
It is the land you go to in your most peaceful dreams, made of green rolling hills, calm ponds, bridges, fountains, and tall trees. The rain coming down as we walked through only ameliorated the vividness and sweet smell of the park. I know I'll be revisiting that place in my dreams. It was the most beautiful, serene haven in the center of the most chaotic city. If I ever had to move to New York, I think I would just camp out there. I'm obsessed. Times Square was exactly what I imagined it would be like: crowded, bright, flashy, busy, and breathtaking.
In the center of it, I just stood and turned in circles trying to take it all in. We saw Mamma Mia on Broadway, which exceeded all my expectations!! Everyone should see a play on Broadway at least once in their lives, I believe. Our last day of the trip just might have been the best. We started off the morning with a walk on the High Line. I had no idea this existed, but it's a basically a walk through a park...except it's over old rail lines between tall city buildings.
Very contradictory and intriguing, just like Central Park. We took a harbor cruise where we saw all the boroughs, bridges, and the Statue of Liberty.
It was even more amazing than it sounds. We then explored different neighborhoods, had dinner in Little Italy, and then walked the Brooklyn Bridge.
If you want a beautiful skyline, walk there at twilight. Absolutely perfect. Our last stop was the Rockefeller Center where we got to take in the view of the entire city from the "Top of the Rock." This I can't even begin to describe, but it was a sight no camera could capture.
To stand on the rooftop of a skyscraper and admire the lights as far as I could see was a view I will never forget.
A few hours later, we were off to the airport and back to the blowing snow of North Dakota in no time. I will forever remember this amazing trip where I learned so much about our country and its government. It was an experience money truly can't buy, and I am so lucky to have been able to go. I've learned to appreciate the wise words someone once said: "Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer."
Always, Anna
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