Wednesday Afternoon

Stony Brook School at 4:00am!

Live, from the Smithsonian Museums on the Mall in downtown Washington, DC: an update for the Stony Brook Washington Trip!  My apologies for the lack of frequent updates: it is quite difficult to find free wi-fi in this city!

If you were around for the bus departures this morning, you know that our coaches were late arriving to shuttle us to Logan and Manchester Airports, but all four buses made it in time to board all flights.  This made for a bit of an anti-climactic morning, as we were waiting around for about 45 minutes before buses finally arrived.  Boy, it sure is dark at 4:00am! 

Adorable family of gorillas

After landing in a staggered manner for both time and Washington area airports (Dulles, Reagan and BWI), we all successfully rendez-voused at the National Zoo, where students had a fabulous time, seeing many animals, ranging from zebras to cheetas, cobras to pandas (many students were so excited about the pandas that they texted pictures of the pandas home!).  In fact, one highlight was the Reptile House, where several of us witnessed an anaconda consuming a live rabbit!  The Zoo was capped off with a fantastic bagged lunch from PotBelly's (a local sandwich joint) that included fruit, water and a snack.  Students certainly seemed satisfied. 

The pandas send their love home to Massachusetts!

After the Zoo, students were treated to a tour of embassy row, which included pauses from the bus of many embassies, including Uzbekistan, Ireland, Greece and Finland.  Students viewed the National Cathedral as well as the Islamic Center from the exterior and took some pictures of those landmarks as well.  Students were able to walk or drive by Ford's Theater, as well as stop in Lafayette Park to see the White House from the North Side, on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The White House, North Side

Finally students spent time in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, where they were wowed with oldies-but-goodies exhibits such as gems and minerals and the Hope Diamond, as well as new exhibits such as X-Ray Vision, Ancient Egypt, and Early Humans. 

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

Soon, we will be departing for dinner and some memorials.  An update will be posted as soon as I can find time and wi-fi!  All is well, and students are having a fabulous time!