Last night, we were able to commandeer the coveted "common room" for a sleeping space - coveted for its carpet and working thermostat. We did not, however, have the foresight to realize that the case of a bronze eagle, Gonzaga's mascot, would remain to stay lit the entire night!
Nothing a few towels couldn’t fix though.
My alarm once again went off at 6 a.m., except this morning instead of going back to sleep with the rest of the group, I walked to Union Station to meet my eldest brother Jim for tea. He lives in Baltimore but works in D.C. and commutes though every morning. It was weird really to think that I had been watching nameless commuters for a couple of days now and to think that my own brother is one of them. We talked but time dictated that he go to be in time for work, so we split ways and I walked back to Gonzaga.
There was no other place in the world that I would rather be at that moment. It was almost magical as the sun rose and the early commuters boarded the first trains and buses to their respective destinations. Life went on, just like any other day.
We went to an early mass at Gonzaga then as a group got breakfast. You can imagine the look on everyone's faces as we walked into Au Bon Pain as they sarcastically said “oh grea!”'. To our credit, we didn't slow business and we all ate in a semi-orderly fashion, trying as hard as we could to stay out of the regulars’ ways.
Our destination was the National Holocaust Museum and we wanted to secure a spot in line before it opened at 10 so we could get through quickly in order to be on time for our flight. At promptly 9:10 we sat in the cold with our backs against the museum wishing there was some way to stay warm. Once inside though, we quickly realized that our wait was well worth. I had been once before, but I don’t ever think that I will ever become bored with that museum. If you haven't been.. go, and if you have... go again. As I said in my speech to the school, the visit to the museum put the trip in perspective for me last year and this year it did the same for the other 14 students from Jesuit Dallas.
Still caught in thought and awe, we collected our bags back from the school and departed our beloved Gonzaga College High School for another one year sabbatical. Our adventure in DCA could have been in a movie. Imagine with me, if you can, this scenario... 15 students and 3 chaperones, luggage, walking paths, exit fares for the train, and lines. I hope not much more is needed to be said, well maybe I will just add that the group was growing weary of, how shall I put it, building community. We were all pretty ready to get out of the cold and back to Texas. Nevertheless, we all passed security and boarded the plane headed for home. I don't think there was an open eye out of the group during the flight. Our lack of sleep and filled days caught up with us. We landed and were met by our loved ones, ready to finish our chopped up nap started on the plane. I basically got home and went to bed. It was 7 o'clock.
I have to give a huge than you to Chris Considine, a senior on the trip who helped me tremendously on this. I think ya'll should be thanking him too because without him, this would be really boring. Thanks Chris!
