Today was our first full day in the city. A few of us woke up early to explore the neighborhood and buy breakfast. We ended up at a little bakery on broadway, full of New Yorkers in their black coats, many drinking coffee and reading the news. We had class for a bit and then headed out to take photos at The Riverside Church. A beautiful, historical church only a block or so away from the International House. Something that really struck me was that the church was hoppin' with diverse members of the community the whole time we were there.

With less than a week until we board the plane and fly off for an exciting adventure in the Big Apple, I can hardly believe it's actually going to happen. I've been to New York twice, once in November of 2004 and then again in November of 2005. Both trips were for three days on a tight budget, with group of friends. In 2004 we slept on a friend's dorm room floor at NYU and the second trip we stayed at a youth hostel called Jazz on The Park. I can't believe that this time we get to go for three weeks and sleep in real beds!
New York is so overwhelming. There are so many people and there is so much to do and see. I'm especially looking forward to our days in the museums and seeing Wicked. I think we are all going to learn a lot while in New York. We'll learn about art of course but I think we'll also experience a culture in our own country that is so very different from our own. I can't wait!