Our last at DC! It was a bittersweet moment, I was ready to go back home and catch up on sleep since the last two days were very fatiguing. But I still wanted to explore our beautiful capital.
The first thing we did was visit the Arlington National Cemetery. It is a final resting place for over 400,000 military veterans, their families, and some notable figures.
The cemetery was made during the civil war to bury Union soldiers. It later expanded to include the graves of soldiers from all wars throughout American history. The Tomb of the Unkown is also located there, it honors the memory of all of the unidentified soldiers, who have lost their lives fighting for our country.
After our guide took us on a tour of this moving place, we went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is a monument dedicated to all the men and women who were never found, and whose remains are unidentified. Our school had the honor to see the changing of the guard ceremony. A group of soldiers is chosen for their impeccable military performance and dedication. They take their positions at the tomb and then perform a series of precision drills, including the Changing of the Guard. I was astounded by their movements’ precision, focus, and commitment.
The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place every hour on the hour from October 1 through March 31 and every half hour from April 1 through September 30, weather permitting. The ceremony is free and open to the public, and visitors are encouraged to attend and pay their respects to the unknown soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country.
After this heartwarming ceremony, we went to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. This museum was dedicated to the history and culture of African Americans. The museum has a collection of over 40,00 artifacts used throughout time, ranging from photographs and documents to clothing and musical instruments.
The museum is organized into three main sections “Slavery and Freedom,” “The Era of Segregation,” and “A Changing America.” These exhibitions talk about the transatlantic slave trade, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter movement
There is also a floor full of artifacts from African American culture. From music, dances, clothes, and instruments. This culture was a huge part of the 90s and was an inspiration to many songs and clothes now.
Later, we went to our last stop, the Hard Rock Cafe! I was completely blown away by how lively the restaurant was, even the bathrooms were top-class! Everywhere you looked there were tributes to the rock and roll industry in the 1900s. The food was delicious as well – I ordered a vegetarian patty sandwich, and it was full of flavors that left me wanting more!
After eating, we returned to our bus for our journey back to North Carolina. This was a memorable trip, full of learning, fun, and extraordinary experiences! I would love to go back to DC to explore more of this wonderful place!
Read about Day1:Washington DC Trip
Read about Day2: Washington DC Trip
