DC Trip 17 Day 1

We're back! MRHS STAND is in DC on our annual field trip to learn and advocate on anti-genocide issues. The morning started before 3am as the carpools rolled down the midcape. By 430, we were gathered at Logan and by 530 we were on the plane. After a smooth flight and a nice shuttle ride,

we got to our hotel by 815 to put our bags down and have some breakfast.

On a beautiful spring day that eventually got up to near 80, we had a nice walk to the USHMM (past a lot of construction going on in this part of SE DC - our hotel is right next to the Nationals stadium). We spent more than two hours absorbing the permanent exhibit.

I found myself focused on the info about American responses to the refugee crisis.

As always, this is an important and moving part of our visit.

Leaving the Holocaust Museum, we spent some time walking along the waterfront on this Cherry Blossom festival weekend - I've never been in DC for this before.

We stopped for lunch at the food trucks just East of the Washington Monument,

which was slower than we imagined - there were a lot of people out on this first warm day of spring. Then we split up between groups visiting Smithsonians for a couple hours - American History, Natural History, and the National Gallery - where I went with Tori, Cesca, and Emma.

We visited the East Wing which features modern art,

and has a beautiful rooftop deck.

After another beautiful stroll back to the hotel

and checking into our rooms, we went to a new Shake Shack for dinner - on their third night.

After dinner we had some time to settle into our rooms and go visit the roof lounge overlooking the Nationals' stadium.

Thanks to HHS STAND alum Ali Donovan (senior at American U and budding political activist) for spending the afternoon and evening with us. Asleep by 10. In theory.