My life changing trip to Washington D.C.

I’ll be honest with you, the real reason I signed up for the class trip to Washington D.C. was because of my two best friends. Hunter, Amanda and I were all attending different high schools next year. So what would be better than a class trip? Little did I know it would change my life forever.

                       I woke up at four in the morning on June first, to catch a bus to the airport. By the crack of dawn we were on a connecting flight out of Miami to D.C. I was being a typical teenager, listening to my ipod and gossiping with my friends, as we were approaching Reagan National Airport. When I happened to glance out of the window, the sight took my breath away.

                         After we landed we got settled into our hotel. Then we set out to the National Mall, to see the Lincoln memorial. I had seen it on T.V. and in textbooks but that does it no justice. Standing there on the marble steps, among crowds of tourists you realize how great this really is. Standing there at the exact spot where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his history changing speech, you feel inspired. Our group stayed at the memorial for about an hour, then it was time to head to dinner. As we were leaving I looked over my shoulder, to see the sun setting casting a gorgeous glow over the memorial. From that point on I knew I was going to love it in Washington D.C.

                     The next day we went to the Smithsonian Institute’s Natural History museum. Our teachers gave us some free time to explore the immense museum. I found learning about the ancient Dinosaurs and Nomadic people of the past, fascinating. But my friend’s not so much. After thirty minutes they got bored, and we were only on the first floor! But I wasn’t the least bit bored. I found all of the ancient remains so intriguing. I learned more about history in those few hours, than three years of middle school, amazing!

                  Our third day we took a trip to Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon was where the founding father of our country, George Washington and his wife Martha lived. The estate is located on the Potomac river in Northern Virginia. It’s only a short trip from D.C. But the scenery is so different compared to the buzzing streets of downtown D.C., it makes it seem miles away. They recently added a new museum and theater, which was very entertaining. I would recommend this short trip to the beautiful estate to anyone. From there we went to the Arlington National Cemetery. As soon as we arrived everyone noticed the calmness and serenity  of the atmosphere. Which is very appropriate considering that those men and women buried there, died fighting and working for our freedom. It was a humbling experience that makes me proud to be an American.

               Overall we visited countless memorials, museums, and monuments. We even toured the Capitol building! And I loved every minute of it! I was blown away at how much culture, diversity, and history Washington D.C. has. In fact I was so blown away that I plan on applying to American University in D.C. to major in political science and minor in history. Before this trip I had no idea who I wanted to be or  what I wanted to do when I grow up. Now I have a dream, that I plan to fulfill all thanks to a class trip. Who knows maybe someday I’ll be President!