Annapolis

On Saturday, we had our field trip to Annapolis, the capital of Maryland (and former capital of the U.S., for nine months!). We had chartered a bus, which picked everyone up at the Quality Inn in the morning. The driver was very nice and dropped us off right in front of the State House, where I discovered another turtle (Maryland Mosaic--see slide show above). We had a short guided tour of the State House. The guide spoke slowly and clearly, and I think the students understood her pretty well. I learned some things I didn't know, such as that the swirly round markings on the floor are actual fossils!

Afterwards, we walked down Cornhill Street to the dock, where we all bought tickets for the Severn River cruise at 12:30. After buying the tickets, we had time to grab something to eat. I got a very nice crabcake sandwich at a deli on Main Street. Not cheap, but tasty!

The cruise up the Severn was delightful. The weather was spectacular. Many of the students congregated outside in the front of the boat where we could enjoy the fresh breeze as we passed some pretty impressive mansions on the shoreline. Nobu and Eriko both got a chance to pilot the boat!!!

After the cruise, which lasted an hour and a half, we had another hour and a half to explore Annapolis or eat more. I got a delicious mango smoothie (Yum) and drank it while I visited the new Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley memorial.

Most of the students slept most of the way home, but when they arrived back at the QI, they headed right back out to Georgetown with Ji Won and Laura to shop some more. When it comes to shopping, they are indefatigable! I went home and cooked for two straight hours. It had been a long time since I had prepared any food!