Day One, Freedom Tour 2015
It was dark, a bit dreary, and the
tensions were running high with both students and adults alike. You could tell that even though everyone was
drowsy, and could maybe use a few more cups of coffee, we were all pumped for
the week ahead. Students bid parents
goodbye and after a quick introductory talk from Joel and Francie, we boarded
the buses. Immediately, everyone made
themselves comfortable, and the chatter and uproarious laughter began. Within the first ten minutes, we already had
kids complaining left and right, and even a few pioneers test out the
on-bus-bathrooms. After a few hours of
smooth riding, we made our first sop in Kennebunk. The tourist traps at the rest stop were
unbelievable, and it seemed that people were wasting money left and right, but
I suppose they were happier for it.
After a nice stretch of the legs we reloaded the buses. On the way to New York, a few more stops were
made, and every state line crossed was met with enthusiasm and cheering. There was singing, yelling, laughing, maybe
even some crying, and then suddenly we were there. New York.
That’s where the fun really began.
Passing
through all the sections of the Big Apple was fascinating to the eye of an
unexperienced traveler. Everywhere we
went we learned more and more. Graffiti seemed to be a popular subject
throughout the masses as we passed abandoned buildings and large sections of
city. The bus started to settle down
again for a bit, and then we stopped to explore the Apollo Theater. What many students didn’t realize was how
truly jaw dropping that iconic building would be. Inside, we were greeted by the incredible
Billy Mitchell. He inspired us all with
talks of his childhood, and eventually gave five lucky and some semi-reluctant
acts the chance to perform. I, being one
of them, can say that it was almost tear jerking to stand there on that stage
and sing, in the very place were history was made time and time again.
After
exploring the building a bit more, we departed one again, making our way down 5th
Avenue. We walked around for a bit,
getting the chance to view John Lennon’s mosaic in Strawberry Fields. Just as a thunderstorm began to hit we made
our way onto the buses yet again, many of us humming phrases from one of John
Lennon’s most famous works, Imagine.
The last
leg of this first day’s adventure brought us food and a nice bed to sleep
in. Katz’s Deli was one of the biggest
most bustling highlights of the day as everyone tried new things and ordered
huge helpings of food. I myself tried
tongue for the first time, splitting it with another student and thoroughly
enjoying it. Other students enjoyed
simpler, homey meals such as grilled cheese or just burgers. After that, another hour long bus ride brought
the YMCA Freedom Tour Group of 2015 to where I am sitting now, a lovely hotel
just inside the border of New Jersey.
It was
an amazing day, and already up there on my list of some of the best days of my
life. I can’t WAIT to see what the rest
of the trip brings for us. The
excitement from every student and chaperone is almost tangible, even as we
settle into our rooms for the night.
Sararose
Day one – freedom tour
After
the long drive we finally got N.Y.C. As we headed into Bronx, with forty kids
crowded on one bus we looked up in awe at the buildings and immediately saw
some big differences from our little “city” of bath. As we entered different
areas they seemed as themselves cites.
New York
was wonderful and amazing, but at the same time crowded and busy. New York in
many ways was what I always expected it to be but yet nothing like what I had
pictured it. There was the beautiful skyline and the busy people with the can
do attitude. Though central park is loaded with hills, trees, rocks and swing
sets. There are millionaires in penthouses just down the street and a block
over, there are people barely having the small one bed room apartment. Even
with all of that there is still something magical about driving through time
square and N.Y.C. in general.
No comments:
Post a Comment