Wadub people!

After a sunny and warm week the weather decided to give us a rainy last day. We started the day with a tour to the Capitol and the Library of Congress. Our tour guide, Elaine, tried to find a smart way to not make us wait outside in the rain, so we started off with the Library of Congress.

P (Thailand), me (Germany), Ignacio (Chile), and Saran (Thailand)

Library of Congress

She entertained us talking about the historical background of the building with funny facts and stories about the impressive building and its beautiful paintings. We saw an original Gutenberg Bible and got a glance into the Reading Room that is only open for special visitors, researchers, or congressmen.

Then we walked through an underground tunnel to the nearby Capitol Building, where we saw different State Sculptures and had a chance to take pictures. After that, we were fortunate enough to arrive at the White House just before the security had to close down the fence area because Barry was attending his daily briefing, so we still had the great opportunity to take some far-away pictures of the president's residence.

Capitol Building

Hungry, we headed to Union Station and had time to enjoy lunch and do some shopping for more gifts and souvenirs.

In the afternoon we split up in smaller groups and explored the Smithsonian museums in downtown Washington, which include the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of Art, as well as the National Museum of the American Indian. Some of us enjoyed to sit in the park and eat some delicious ice cream.

Nana (Japan), Kim (Germany), Asako (Japan), Yuri (Japan)
and Barbara (Mexico) in the National Air and Space Museum 

P (Thailand), Alex (Germany), Ploy (Thailand), Gift (Thailand), Fair (Thailand),
Pareena (Thailand) at the National Air and Space Museum

On the National Mall in front of the Capitol

Because we did not buy enough souvenirs yet, we went shopping for the last time again and discovered beautiful Georgetown with its unique local shops. We ate dinner at the barbecue place named “Old Glory.”
Finally there was free time at the hotel to swim in the pool and to say goodbye to our new friends.

We just all had an amazing time; thanks to our coordinator, monitor, and chaperone, we had an awesome trip!

---Alex,Germany and Mathilde, Germany