Day 1: A Rap

DC Day 1 by the numbers:

·      Hours flown  = 5

·      Total hours in the airport = 11

·      Punctuality = impeccable (reason being, Ms. Arredondo).

·      Total number of hours slept = 48 (that equals an average of 2 hours per person)

·      Total number of Smithsonian’s visited today = 3

·      Average windspeed (20 MPH, with gusts up to 35 that sent "Mall dust," cherry blossoms, and other loose sediment flying into our faces).

·      Number of complaints = very few (the girls have been amazing despite weather issues, California unpreparedness, very little sleep, and a eating schedule that has been completely thrown off).

·      Number of pizzas ordered once we got to the hotel = I estimate at least 1 per room.

·      Total number of miles walked = not sure, ask the students (I estimate at least 10, they would tell you 20).

·      Wake up call = 630 AM tomorrow morning (Why? We got a lot to do, and we can’t waste our time sleeping)

·      Number of “selfies” = an incredible amount (I imagine in the 1000’s and we will continue counting)

Highlights:

·      Going through the Holocaust Museum and saying no words, but simply just watching as so many students TOOK THEIR TIME exploring all of the information.

·      Watching many students take the first plane ride across the country on their own terms, meaning they sat where they wanted, i.e. next to their friends because “they were scared” creating airplane seating chaos. You can imagine. Ha. Special thanks to United for accommodating.

·      Many of them conquered fears: flying, walking long distances, socializing outside of their comfort zones, and BUGS!

·      The Lincoln Memorial as the sun was setting, and the power of the simplicity & complexity of the Vietnam Memorial. Also, hearing true appreciation in the student’s voices as they spoke of grandparents and relatives in the military.

 Student thoughts:

"The highlights of my day were going to the different memorials such as Lincoln memorials, Vietnam Veterans, Korean War, WWII memorial. The best one was the Korean War because my grandfather was in the war so learning about what they wore and what they went through and how many people put there lives out there for their for our country." -Helaina Martinez

"The funniest part of the day was me falling asleep in practically every stop we made. Every second counted for me, sleep was sleep! Although I wish I was awake to see the cake throwing to Daniela, Helaina, and Natalie. After hearing about it I could imagine it, that would of been hilarious." - Kathy Del Rosal

Note: Some middle schooler's were throwing cupcake pieces at Helaina, Nat, and Dani at Union Station, which infuriated them, but they handled it with maturity. Kathy sat next to them, and slept through the entire thing. Impressive.

"The flight started off pretty great but once you experience how uncomfortable it is to sleep sitting straight up with the not so soothing rocking of turbulence, you realize it's not all that fabulous. It was kind of scary especially since there were some first timers but I have to admit it was awesome being able to travel with your friends and have a good time despite the little kinks." Daniela Mendoza

 

Day 1 was a lot of fun!!! Looking forward to tomorrow. 

A special thanks to the contributors to this post:

Authors: Kathy Del Roasl, Helaina Martinez, and Daniela Mendoza

Illustrators: Daniela Mendoza (airplane picture), Ms. A (all other pictures)