Whitchurch High in America

Final Day

2010-04-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

Just quickly logging off saying that according to BA website flight BA188 is flying as normal. Should be in UK at 8.45 and back in Whitchurch about 1.00ish. We will contact you en route.

The end of an excellent week. All students had a good time and conducted themselves in the fine tradition of Whitchurch High School abroad.

Thanks for following us.

Day 5 - Shop till you Drop

2010-04-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

Almost the last day and Washington seems so long ago. What a difference a couple of days make. We started the day at about 10.00am hoping to get on to Ellis Island to see where Jack might have landed if he had not frozen to death on the Titanic. Unfortunately New York in April is very different from New York in February and the three hour queue was too long for us. We could see the Statlue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Battery Park but that was as close as we got. We went on to see Ground Zero and from there to Wall Street. Here a couple of the group actually bought some jewellry from Tiffany's. From Wall Street there was a pressure group pushing to go on to Fifth Avenue, specifically Abercrombie and Fitch. Something to do with a six pack. We arrived via Central Park and the rest of the day was focussed on serious shopping. We walked back to the hotel via Times Square ready for a group meal at 8.00 Back to the hotel at 10.00 shatttered but well fed and glowing in the warm ambience of retail therapy.

A Man Barely Alive

2010-04-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

Day 4

2010-04-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

Latest headline ' THIEF RETURNS ONE FOOT TALL JESS KELLY'S CAMERA' - This would take too long to explain, just ask Jess when we are back.

Any way sorry about the lateness of today's report. I Lost the internet when we got in last night. very careless. Well, here we are in New York. Washington seems a long way off now, about 4oo miles actually. We had a good journey here with a stopover in Philadelphia. We had 1 1/2 hrs to eat and look around. You can see some of the old colonial style houses in the photies below. It is a very historical place and well worth a visit. Then we made our way to New York. The short video shows us entering via the Lincoln Tuunnel. Our hotel is just next to the Tunnel and very pleasant. We are about 500 yards from Times Square. After a brief delay to freshen up we started off to the Empire State at about 6.00 p.m. I think the students were shocked by the difference between Washington and New York. Washington, busy yes, but stately feeling more laid back and relaxed. New York, on the other hand is incredibly crowded and busy and brash, at the same time it also feels quite safe and very exciting. We arrived at the Empire State to find a 2 hour wait so we decided to come back later and went off for a 2 hr shopping spree in Macy's. The students loved this and most used quite a lot of their shopping money to satisfy their shopping urges. We went back to the Empire State to experience a 1 1/2 hour queue before hitting the top, which is an incredible experience at night. We all arrived back at the hotel shattered but excited at about 12.00. Staff are looking forward to the Ellis Island visit tomorrow, students are looking forward to the next shopping splurge.

Times Square

2010-03-31T22:07:00.000-07:00

New York! New York!

2010-03-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

Picnic Time

2010-03-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

2010-03-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

The Scary Soldier

2010-03-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

Day 3

2010-03-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

Another good day. A slowish start saw us leaving the hotel at 10.30. Weather was much better, no rain but quite cold. Today, my advice about clothing was taken on board, most students wrapped up warm. However, my advice about getting a sandwich for lunch was ignored so we had a couple of hungry campers by about 12.00. It was ok though as we soon found a hot dog stand for snacking, after a bit of a trek. Anyway today's big adventure was Arlington Cemetery, the changing of the guard there, Robert E Lee's house, and then a long walk to the Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Memorial and then the Korean War memorial. (See Photo's and Videos - PS if you click on the bottom right of the photo album you can find a way of enlarging the pictures) Some real keenies wanted to go on to the Capitol Building so we walked the length of Washington to see it up close. All back in Hotel by 5.00 - shattered. The Y12ers want to go and celebrate Tom Pemberton's birthday so they are talking about a place called Hooters. Not sure what it is but they say it's a good place to eat. Will let you know in the next post. Tomorrow we are making the big push for New York via Philadelphia. A six hour journey but we arrive at about 4.30. From past experience the students find it really exciting to drive into Manhattan. Then we go to the Hotel in West 42nd street and from there we go to the top of the Empire state. Washington has been great but most are now looking forward to New York and the shopping - but I thought this was a History trip. The following videos are of the changing of the guard and our picnic outside the Robert E Lee house.

Union Station

2010-03-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

Our visit to the impressive Union Station yesterday

Day 2

2010-03-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

OK, so today it was raining when we got up so we had a change of plan. Not Arlington and the Memorials but inside in the Holocaust Centre and a couple of Museums. But we had to get there..... it was the kind of rain that doesn't get you soaking straight away but a fine almost unnoticeable drizzle that gets you even wetter in about 200 yards. So try telling your young group that wearing a waterproof would be a good idea. No chance, fashion and bravado wins every time. Oh Well... We got to the Holocaust Museum to find the entire tourist population of Washington queuing. However, with typical American efficiency we got tickets for later in the afternoon. Then came a big decision .. what to do now? We decided that the American History Museum and the Air and Space Museum were the best bets as they were quite accessible. So the academics and intellectuals went to the American History Museum and the Scientists and Technologists went off to the Space Museum to play with rockets. All went well then we met back up at 2.00 to get into the Holocaust Museum. This was a very moving experience for all. I think all were moved by the intensity of the images and information that they took in. Excellent for all doing Nazi History in Y12and 13. After an excellent day we returned to the Hotel for a well earned rest. Tonight we are having a movie night in the Hotel and I think there will be a call for Pizza and Chinese. Tomorrow we are going to Arlington Cemetry and the Memorials.

Day 1

2010-03-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

It's 6.pm and we have just come back from an epic day's sightseeing. We started at the White House, a quick trek from the hotel. Thoughts of West Wing and President Bartlet. Washington is a bit busy in March/April but a lot more beautiful than in February because of the Cherry Blossom. (Someone is going to have a lot of cleaning up to do)

From the White House we caught a double decker tourist bus which allows us to get on and off across Washington. We ticked off all the main sights; the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill; Arlington Cemetery; Washington cathedral- I am sure you will see them all when we get back when you see the pictures. Students were excellent all day. What a nice bunch of kids you have.

We got off in Georgretown, which is the posh university part of town. Trendy and rich. Abercrombie and Fitch; Urban Outfitters; and other names which are well known by the students but beyond me. Arrived back at hotel at 6.00 for a shower and to get refreshed and we will be out at 7.00 to find a place to east.

All in all a good day

Arrival

2010-03-28T04:56:00.000-07:00

Hi, If there's anybody out there. We arrived safely. The Red Roof Inn is a nice place right in the centre of Washington. After a long day we arrived tired but excited. For us it was about 2.30 in the morning but local time was about 10.pm. Everybody was excited and hungry so quite a few took the opportunity to order in their first American Pizza. I am writing this at 8.00am and I can hear one or two hairdryers going so that's a good sign. We are having a breakfast at 9.00 and then we will be doing some serious sightseeing. Will try and put some pictures and videos tonight.