Poets, Performing and Parking!

We woke up this morning to a wet and windy NY. Undeterred we set off in 3 adenturous groups inspired by the pioneer spirit of America. Ali's group enjoyed a literary walking tour and can be seen pictured here being read to by Jared in the Chelsea Hotel.

Jonathan's group had a tour of the Lincoln Centre complete with a sneak look at a forthcoming opera in rehearsal.

Gill and Janis began their tourist trail with a pilgrimage to Strawberry Fields in Central Park. Unfortunately, the main destination, the new regeneration project the High Line was a bit of a washout (literally) but the students seemed more than happy with the ingenious car parking arrangement which we were privileged enough to see in action! We think this might be the perfect solution to the parking problem at college!

After yet more shopping (we are keeping the American economy going single handedly) the group are now getting ready for our meal at the Hard Rock Cafe this evening.

We are looking forward to our visit to the Empire State building tomorrow morning (let's hope it's a bit less misty and damp) and then the coach ride to Philadelphia. Very sad that our time here is nearly at an end.

Long Island, new jersey and the mall

We set off this morning via Staten Island and a close up view of Brooklyn Bridge, the backdrop of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge which we saw on Broadway last night. It was a fantastic production although we were all exhausted from the emotional intensity not to mention all the walking we'd done earlier.
We had a more restful day being driven around by the endlessly patient and cheerful Larry. As the photographic evidence shows, a highly educational and cultural time was had by all. While the students shopped some other members of the party created their album cover. Kayleigh, Becky and Kellie practised their tour guide skills and told us all about Long Island. Well done girls! (although there were a few odd pronunciations along the way).
Literature students got to experience the settings of The Great Gatsby first hand - the mansions of East and West Egg, Queensboro Bridge and the Plaza Hotel. In Sandy Hook, New Jersey the potential of an abandoned army base gave rise to visions of a film set or even a property development.
on a more serious note Gill will continue her search for the perfect goat's cheese salad tonight

Rob's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU !

Rob celebrated his 17th birthday with pancakes and Maple Syrup and then we took him to long Island and then shopping.

Meet The Americans

We were all up bright and early and armed with our metro cards we made our way to South Ferry to meet our American pen pals from Staten Island...From our point of view (Gill, Ali and Janis) It looked as if everyone got on very well. Some groups went off to South Street Sea Port, others accompanied us to Ground Zero and some went to find the venue for thier first theatre experince of the day. We will ask the students to fill you in on how it really went but we are hopeful that this was a useful experience for everyone.

The weather today has been beautiful but cold and I am sure that there will be lots of lovely photos. We are now catching our breath before going to see 'View from a Bridge' on Broadway tonight.

ARRIVED SAFELY

We made it. It felt like the longest day in all of our lives but we are here at the West Side Y.
We shared the plane with a group of French Exchange students who made us look extremely well behaved and quiet! The kitchen was open for us to help ourselves to snacks during the whole journey and this was very much appreciated. Mars bars and coke tastes great at 30,000feet.
It was a bit chilly when we got to Newark but we managed to locate our transfer coach and had fantastic views of the Manhatten sky line at night as we drove into the city. Most of us managed to get some sleep and we're now off in search of breakfast, although Kellie and Beccie are still in their PJs. Ben says Hi and he can't get a signal on his phone but he's using Jonathan's at the moment. Off for bagels and cwoffee!

At the Airport

Yes, we have made it to Heathrow without a hitch. Thanks to our speedy driver we got here in an hour and so have had plenty of time to look around! Everyone is calm.
I tested everyone's observational powers by deliberately (honest) marching off without my case but disaster was averted thanks to the eagle eyes of the students.

Due to check in very shortly and hoping for a smooth flight.

IMPORTANT CHANGE TO RETURN FLIGHT

We are now booked to travel on
BA 068
from Philadelphia
Departure 21.15 March 30th
Arrival Heathrow at 09.45 March 31st

Although the flight and airport have been changed our arrival into Heathrow is largely unaffected.

Transfer from our accommodation in NY to Philadelphia Airport is provided at no extra cost.

In order to arrive at the airport in time our departure from NY on March 30th has been brought forwards to 15.00.

Flight Changeeee!!

Michael Ryan and Kiah Hart here. Blogging from a lesson. The day before we leave. Are you excited Michael? He's so excited he had to change his underwear 3 times today. Impressive.


Our flight back has been changed, thankfully not on the way out though. We will now be flying home from Philidelphia, which isn't too bad. Thank you BA for striking and partly ruining our plans. Oh well, it'll be cool.


We're waiting at the moment for Ali to come back with her memory stick to put a picture up that she just took of us.........any minute now.................I'm sure she'll be here soon........ WE CANNOT WAIT TO MEET OUR PENPALS!! Especially Martin Lewis. He is a legend. So enthusiastic about life. I emailed him recently saying that we were coming soon and he replied back with 'WOOOOOHOOOOO!!' and that was all. What a little bundle of joy. and he has a twin. Malcolm Lewis. But I've told him we'll call his twin Martin Lewis #2. He said that's fine.

ALI HAS ENTERED THE ROOM. she is here with the memory stick!! one moment :)

A Week To Go!

We've been counting down the days since last September, and FINALLY it's just a week away. This time next Friday we'll be arriving at Heathrow airport just hours away from New York City!
The itinirary looks so exciting, a Broadway show, The Empire State Building,etc including meeting our pen pals from Staten Island. We've already planned out pretty much what we are going to fill our free time doing, which also includes visiting even more amazing landmarks.
The time to start packing has arrived! Not long now and we'll be there having the most amazing time! :)

The Itinerary

ENGLISH, COMMUNICATIONS AND CULTURE, TRAVEL AND TOURISM, PERFORMING ARTS
NEW YORK TRIP
MARCH 26TH-MARCH 31ST 2010


ITINERARY


Fri March 26th
8.45 Meet at Sainsbury’s bus stop
9.15 Departure
12.00 Arrive at Heathrow Airport terminal 5 at
12:45 Meet representative of Complete Travel Connections who will assist our group check-in.
15:45 Depart: On flight BA189
19:45 Arrive: NEW YORK NEWARK
20:30 Transfer to Accommodation.
21.30 Arrive at hostel and check-in.
22.00 orientation of area Times Square/Warner Centre and quick evening meal.
23.30 Lights Out
Sat March 27th
8.30 Meet in foyer for briefing.
9.00 Travel by Metro to South Port for Staten Island Ferry.
10.00 Ferry
10.30 Meet students from Staten Island High School.
11.00 Museum of Native American with American Students.
12.00 Ground Zero
Free time in afternoon
18.30 Briefing in Hostel walk to theatre together.
20:00 BROADWAY SHOW
View from Bridge Cort Theatre, 138 West 48 Street
23:00 return to Hostel
23.30 Lights Out
Sun March 28th
8.30 Meet in foyer of Hostel
09:00 coach day trip to Long Island.
10.00 Great Neck and King’ Point
11.00 Port Washington and Sand’s Point
14:00 Americana Manhasset Mall.
16:00 Greenacres Shopping Mall
20:00 Return to Hostel
Free time
23:00 return to Hostel
23:30 Lights Out
Mon March 29th
8:30 meet in foyer of Hostel
09:00 Group 1 ( English Students) Literary Walking Tour of Manhattan
Group 2 (Performing Arts students) Guided tour of the Lincoln Centre.
Group 3 ( C and C, T and T students) Visit The High Line and Chelsea
12:00 FREE TIME
18:00 Meet in Hostel Foyer
18:30 group Meal, venue TBA
23:00Return to Hostel
23:30 Lights out
Tuesday March 30th
9:00 Pack and put luggage in room in Hostel
11:00 Free time/last minute shopping
13:30 Meet at Empire State Building
14:00 Go Up Empire State Building
15:30 Return to Hostel via 5thAvenue and Central Park
16:30 Collect luggage
17:00 Leave for JKF Airport
21:30 Depart: On flight BA114
Wednesday March 31st
09:35 Arrive: HEATHROW
Students will make their own way home