Page 68 - Cormorant Issue 20 2017

PAGE 66
Pentagon, played in memory of a US staff of cer
killed during the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, had
to be cancelled as Storm Cindy hit Washington with monsoon conditions on Monday afternoon. Luckily the ood waters had retreated by early evening, ensuring that evening social plans were not hampered.
Tuesday morning saw the course back in the British Embassy for a full day of brie ngs. The presenters were an eclectic mix, ranging from senior lobbyists, to Neo-Con members of past administrations. The varied viewpoints delivered caused considerable discussion and provoked strong responses but the audience came away from the day with a far more rounded outlook and, in many cases, an empathetic
understanding of how the US has found itself in its present political state. That evening, a number of the students and Directing Staff managed to secure last minute tickets to see U2 play on their Joshua Tree 25th anniversary tour at the Washington Redskins stadium.
The following day, the course moved from Washington to New York for the second phase of the visit. Taking advantage of the route, we stopped in Philadelpia for a visit to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Whilst in town over lunch time, most students also opted to try out a genuine Philadelphia Cheesesteak in one of the recommended diners. Arriving in New York in mid-afternoon, we settled into our new hotel opposite the UN headquarters