So I guess this is as good a time as any for a blog post about Wednesday.
The day started with the most powerful moments of the trip so far. We paid our respects to America's fallen servicemen and women at the Arlington National Cemetery and learned about the ceremonies and traditions related to a military burial. As they did at the memorials the students asked graceful questions and engaged the process with respect and responsibility. Our timing was a bit off, so we missed the Laying of the Wreath, but on the way back down the hill, we had the unique opportunity to witness from afar the burial of a high ranking Navy official. The casket was pulled by four white horses preceded by a marching brass quartet. The process sparked discussion amongst the student regarding how cultures revere their dead (dovetailing nicely with the Third Grade Exhibition today about the Ancient Egyptians.)
After Arlington, we drove into town for an exploration of one of the most interactive and informative museums in DC: the Newseum. Spread over six floors, the exhibits in the Newseum spur visitors to think about how they interact with the world: where and how do they get the information about the events and people that shape the world around them. We actually had to pull the students out so we could make our timed guided tour at the National Cathedral.
And that tour was quite special. Once again the students were blessed to have a gifted tour guide who understood the needs of adolescents and explained the architectural and social history of the cathedral with a perfect blend of humor, gravitas, and enthusiasm.
After a waistband-expanding buffet at Phillip's, we boarded the bus for the Verizon Center where at present the Wizards are down by fourteen with two minutes to go. I guess the gentleman behind me needs to exhort even more vociferously the home team to augment their efforts on the defensive end of the court. Or in other words... defense... defense
Talk to you tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
I do have an emotional investment in something tonight.
The soft pretzel sticks at the Verizon Center are otherworldly.
Ok. I gotta finish Monday. Wifi be darned.
We are at the Verizon Center right now, and most of your progeny have become temporary DC fans. It's hard for me to feign emotional investment in a Wizards/Bobcats game (please don't think any less of me), so I've got a couple of hours to update the blog.
I think I last left you at the Capitol Building. After our tour, we met the bus and headed to the Smithsonian Museums. Mr. Purcell was beaming with pride as the majority of the students chose to visit the Museum of American History where they had about an hour to explore the seemingly endless series of exhibits. Many students were especially taken with the original puppets of Bert, Ernie, Oscar, and the Cookie Monster, and we had to drag some of the car afficianados out of the transportation wing. After doing so, we headed to Armand's for their neverending parade of pizzas (some of your kids even took part in the salad bar, but I won't ruin their street cred by mentioning names.)
After dinner we spent a couple hours in some of the more solemn places of the city: the memorials. The students were clearly moved and thoughtful about the meanings of monuments for the Vietnam Veterans, Korean Conflict, and World War II. They were respectful of the spaces and asked appropriately critical questions about both the conflicts and the metaphors of the various structures. In addition they were equally engaged at the Lincoln, FDR, and MLK Jr. monuments/memorials.
Finally after what seemed like an eighteen hour day (wait a minute...), we retired to the hotel where everyone was asleep within about 14.5 minutes of getting their room keys.
Alright I think you've heard all about Monday and Tuesday. My thumbs need a little break, so I'll do a Wednesday post sometime in the second half of the game.
I can't imagine this one is televised anywhere, but we are in section 219. Draw a diagonal line from the lower corner of the right side of the court (reading the center court Wizards logo from left to right), and we are in the second level about halfway up the arena.
I think I last left you at the Capitol Building. After our tour, we met the bus and headed to the Smithsonian Museums. Mr. Purcell was beaming with pride as the majority of the students chose to visit the Museum of American History where they had about an hour to explore the seemingly endless series of exhibits. Many students were especially taken with the original puppets of Bert, Ernie, Oscar, and the Cookie Monster, and we had to drag some of the car afficianados out of the transportation wing. After doing so, we headed to Armand's for their neverending parade of pizzas (some of your kids even took part in the salad bar, but I won't ruin their street cred by mentioning names.)
After dinner we spent a couple hours in some of the more solemn places of the city: the memorials. The students were clearly moved and thoughtful about the meanings of monuments for the Vietnam Veterans, Korean Conflict, and World War II. They were respectful of the spaces and asked appropriately critical questions about both the conflicts and the metaphors of the various structures. In addition they were equally engaged at the Lincoln, FDR, and MLK Jr. monuments/memorials.
Finally after what seemed like an eighteen hour day (wait a minute...), we retired to the hotel where everyone was asleep within about 14.5 minutes of getting their room keys.
Alright I think you've heard all about Monday and Tuesday. My thumbs need a little break, so I'll do a Wednesday post sometime in the second half of the game.
I can't imagine this one is televised anywhere, but we are in section 219. Draw a diagonal line from the lower corner of the right side of the court (reading the center court Wizards logo from left to right), and we are in the second level about halfway up the arena.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
To extend the "going back in time" metaphor...
I'll give you some more details on yesterday's activities.
We got into BWI on time, but there was a slight delay with the bus. That glitch was not an augur for the day as the rest of Monday was tremendous. After a quick lunch at Union Station, we walked up Capitol Hill for our Capitol Building tour. The tour starts with a beautiful, short film about why the building is so important, how it is symbolic of the workings of our government, and how it was built. We then had a private tour of the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the Statuary gallery. Our tour guide Meredith was super; she asked the kids engaging questions, and they responded to her enthusiastically (not to mention accurately.) The Statuary gallery was especially cool. Each state gets to choose two native son/daughters to have represented as statues in the Capitol. Sam Adams is one of the Massachusetts statues, and his statue holds a place of prominence in the Crypt. The other Massachusetts statue is off the regular tour route and is not often seen by the public; he resides in a working corridor of the Senate. The statue is John Winthrop, but when Meredith heard we had a Winthrop in our group (Hannah), she gave us a special treat and brought us down that corridor to take pictures with John Winthrop. A pretty cool way to end our tour of the Capitol.
We got into BWI on time, but there was a slight delay with the bus. That glitch was not an augur for the day as the rest of Monday was tremendous. After a quick lunch at Union Station, we walked up Capitol Hill for our Capitol Building tour. The tour starts with a beautiful, short film about why the building is so important, how it is symbolic of the workings of our government, and how it was built. We then had a private tour of the Crypt, the Rotunda, and the Statuary gallery. Our tour guide Meredith was super; she asked the kids engaging questions, and they responded to her enthusiastically (not to mention accurately.) The Statuary gallery was especially cool. Each state gets to choose two native son/daughters to have represented as statues in the Capitol. Sam Adams is one of the Massachusetts statues, and his statue holds a place of prominence in the Crypt. The other Massachusetts statue is off the regular tour route and is not often seen by the public; he resides in a working corridor of the Senate. The statue is John Winthrop, but when Meredith heard we had a Winthrop in our group (Hannah), she gave us a special treat and brought us down that corridor to take pictures with John Winthrop. A pretty cool way to end our tour of the Capitol.
Of course I probably just jinxed it...
But no kid has not been late for a single check-in so far. The chaperons have been duly impressed and appreciative. Now if we can just get them to quiet down a little on the bus.
Not only are we 400 miles away but apparently we went back in time
Unfortunately there was no reliable internet at lunch but I do have unlimited data (grandfathered in from the original iPhone plan.) The lack of reliable wifi makes Gettysburg feel that much more authentic to the Civil War.
Right now we are in the middle of a guided bus tour of the Gettysburg battlefields. We started the day with a private viewing of the film Fields of Freedom, a rather stark portrait of the actual battle itself. After a short lunch break, we made our way to the Gettysburg Visitors Center for another movie that explained more the political reasons behind the Civil War and the actual tactical maneuvers of the Union and Confederate armies. After the movie, we went upstairs for a multimedia presentation on the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a 42x375 foot oil and canvas painting of the battle. We are now on the bus visit the places we learned about in the movies and painting. Our tour guide Gary is wonderful with the students, using humor and interactive elements to make the history supremely accessible.
After the tour we will head back to Virginia for dinner at the Pentagon City Mall and swimming back at the hotel. I will continue to work on getting you all some pictures.
Oh and it's 65 degrees with a pleasant breeze, so we may be technologically lacking but have Mother Nature on our side.
Right now we are in the middle of a guided bus tour of the Gettysburg battlefields. We started the day with a private viewing of the film Fields of Freedom, a rather stark portrait of the actual battle itself. After a short lunch break, we made our way to the Gettysburg Visitors Center for another movie that explained more the political reasons behind the Civil War and the actual tactical maneuvers of the Union and Confederate armies. After the movie, we went upstairs for a multimedia presentation on the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a 42x375 foot oil and canvas painting of the battle. We are now on the bus visit the places we learned about in the movies and painting. Our tour guide Gary is wonderful with the students, using humor and interactive elements to make the history supremely accessible.
After the tour we will head back to Virginia for dinner at the Pentagon City Mall and swimming back at the hotel. I will continue to work on getting you all some pictures.
Oh and it's 65 degrees with a pleasant breeze, so we may be technologically lacking but have Mother Nature on our side.
Monday, March 10, 2014
I never thought I'd miss Comcast
The wifi in our hotel feels almost prehistoric, so I'm writing this post from my phone. We have a long lunch break tomorrow in Gettysburg, and I'll find a reliable cafe with wireless and write you all a longer post about our tremendous first day.
We squeezed eight sites (museum/government building/ monument/ memorial) into the ten hours we were actually in the city. I'm still not sure how we managed it; my feet certainly have no idea how we handled it.
Every student represented the school, their parents, and most importantly him/herself remarkably well. They are all conked out, recharging for a day of exploring Civil War history tomorrow. 65 and partly cloudy in Gettysburg tomorrow.
Again, I'll get you a more detailed post with pictures tomorrow.
Talk to you later!
We squeezed eight sites (museum/government building/ monument/ memorial) into the ten hours we were actually in the city. I'm still not sure how we managed it; my feet certainly have no idea how we handled it.
Every student represented the school, their parents, and most importantly him/herself remarkably well. They are all conked out, recharging for a day of exploring Civil War history tomorrow. 65 and partly cloudy in Gettysburg tomorrow.
Again, I'll get you a more detailed post with pictures tomorrow.
Talk to you later!
About to take off...
Despite Southwest's open seating policy, we are all on board and ready to go.
Must turn off this electronic device now.
TTYL.
Must turn off this electronic device now.
TTYL.
The local economy...
Well, with your children's best efforts, this young indie start-up known as "Dunkin' Donuts" may actually have a chance of making it in the cutthroat world of the coffee industry.
We are on the other side of Terminal E security, waiting to board our flight in about 45 minutes or so.
Hopefully these snow squalls pass through quickly...
I'll post again from DC!
Have a great day.
We are on the other side of Terminal E security, waiting to board our flight in about 45 minutes or so.
Hopefully these snow squalls pass through quickly...
I'll post again from DC!
Have a great day.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Two Weeks and Counting...
Well, it's about two minutes until the start of the parent meeting, and I'm testing out how we are going to be blogging the trip! We will update this blog as many times as possible during the trip so that you can share in all of the fun.
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