Students and staff from the National Capital Region recently toured Washington, D.C., to see some of the capital's many monuments, as well as its famed cherry blossoms.
See their photos and read their accounts below.
Norah Almoharib
No one disagrees about the beauty of beginnings. Such as, sunrise announces the beginning of a new day and discoloration trees announces the beginning of spring. Cherry blossoms is the best example of the beginning of a colorful spring. One of the best opportunities I had is that I got a chance to see the cherry blossoms with VT. I liked our trip to the cherry blossoms because of its beauty and the surrounded historical references.
Thousands of tourists travel to Washington, DC in the beginning of spring to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms. It is a set of an amazing colorful trees. It was breathtaking and I realized why all these people were there to witness the masterpiece. I took a lot of pictures since we do not have it in my country. Although it was a sunny day, it was temperate and cool.
What made the day even greater is that I had the chance to see a magnificent historical references. I took a photo of the stone where Martin L.K. told his speech. Also, I saw the huge Lincoln Memorial the 16th President of the United States. On the other hand, I was sad to see the wall with the names of dead soldiers during the Vietnam War. But I liked the fact that their names are there so they can be memorable.
To sum up, cherry blossoms are a remarkable place to spend time in because of its attractiveness and its location. Going to see it gives you the possibility to enrich your eye and your mind by the famous memorials near it. I truly appreciate VT for giving me the opportunity to visit such an extraordinary place.
Zaki Omar Mugais
Every semester our school has to have a field trip. Students change the routine. Students can talk with their teachers about their families or their ambitions. However the last trip was different because we saw nature and monuments. We attended the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington. We got some benefits from that trip.
First, I saw that all teachers tried to help all students by describing to them some information about some places such as the Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King. Also, I felt that most students were comfortable because they had freedom to talk, discuss about personal life and have fun. That trip gave students a opportunity sharing with their teachers some life affairs.
Furthermore, I realized that the gift changed the attitudes. After the Japanese government had given the United States government the Japanese cherry trees, Japanese people and American people created a good friendship and relationship between them. Every year, American people celebrate that gift. I saw many people visit the Martin Luther King memorial. The M.L.K memorial has many cherry blossoms that made it more beautiful. Those cherry blossoms have sent the peace message between peoples.
Finally, when I arrived home, I tried to find out about Martin Luther King. I read some quotes that were amazing such as “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” This quote gives me a lot of enthusiasm to help people. The second quote said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” This quote sent me the advice that we should be brave to start fulfilling our goals.
In conclusion, I would like to say to all teachers thank you for organizing that trip. ِِِAlso, I hope to meet with all teachers and students on another trip.
Ameera Khoshbai
Each session our school prepare a field trip for the students as an assignment, and this term they took as to Washington in a trip which named Cherry Blossom & Monument. Since this is season for Cherry Blossom trees, I was excited to see them as the first time in my life. First, our trip started at 8:30 AM when we began walking to the metro station. It was a sunny day which is kind of luck because the weather was really beautiful. After arriving our destination, we started taking photos of the place and the bridge. Then, we walked around until we reached a place that is full of Cherry Blossom trees. I impressed of that place which was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen, and I took a lot of photos to share them with my family. As a result, taking a small break and spending our sunny day in an amazing place is a great experience that makes us ready to study at the next day.
Faisal Alkhelaiwi
I went to the tidal basin with my classmates, and we rode the metro to get there. The weather was really nice and worm. We walked for a long time, and we visit a lot of places such as, Washington monument, Lincoln memorial and cherry blossom. My professor told us that the US got cherry blossom from Japan after the war. I also took a lot of picture and enjoy at the trip.
Afnan Ashmawi
Visiting historical places is a very effective way to learn new information and knowledges. It helps the student to learn more about the country and the place where they leave. Each month Virginia tech makes one filed tribe to one of the historical places in Washington DC. This month we went on tribe to a place where the cherry blossom trees are and we had so much fun and we learned a lot about it.
Cherry blossom are one of the most popular monuments in Washington DC. The Peak Bloom Date is defined as the day on which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin are open. This date varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions. The Blooming Period is defined as that period when 20 percent of the blossoms are open until the petals fall and leaves appear. The blooming period starts several days before the peak bloom date and can last as long as 14 days, however, frost or high temperatures combined with wind or rain can shorten this period.
We saw a lot of the cherry blossom trees around the lake that was near to Washington monument. We liked the view of the Cherry blossom trees turning to the pink and white color reflecting a very beautiful view on the lake. The view was breathtaking and not to mention the amazing weather. I really enjoyed my time and I took a lot of pictures there. It was one of the most memorable tribe in my life. Next day I went to that place again with my family and they liked it too.
Sultan Alobaidan
The Virginia Tech NVALCI staffs had a plan for their students to visit Cherry Blossom in Washington D.C. In the early morning of Thursday at 8:30 AM on Mach 24, 2016, we went from the Delogung Station to Washington D.C. The weather was very nice because it was sunny, warm, and cloudy. We walked as one a big group. When we arrived at Abraham Lincoln Memorial, we found many people who were taking pictures to themselves next to statue of Abraham Lincoln. Then we walked through passing National Word War II Memorial, and we saw a lot of the names who supported that the war and died. This memorial opened to visitors in 2004. In this place, there is a waterfront surrounding by the names of the oceans and some names of the states of U.S.A. After that, we moved to visit Martin Luther King Memorial who was the first Black African American leader. Later, we watched from far distance the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument. Finally, we stayed in National Mall and Memorial Parks, which are surrounding by Cherry Blossom. Cherry trees are beautiful sight to watch when their color turn to pink and white blossoms. In the end of our trip at 1:00 PM, we finished from our exploring the National Mall and Memorial Parks, which is a great experience to me to visit these places.
Nahlah Alolayan
On March 24th our school organized a field trip to the national mall which includes many museums and memorials, it was a nice place to visit, but I preferred the beautiful cherry blossoms in Washington DC because they made me feel like I am in heaven, by seeing these trees for the first time. I hope to visit it again before they fall.
Najyah Mousa
The spring is the most beautiful seasons of the year. The earth covered with green cover. Trees are wearing their colorful leaves and the flowers bloom. Therefore, the VA tech language institute took all the students to an amazing failed trip to see the Cherry Blossom in Washington DC. It was a great opportunity to spend time with my children since they are in spring break. So, I took my son and daughter with me to the failed trip. We arrived at morning and started our tour by visiting Abraham Lincoln Memorial which include his statue, murals and inscriptions. I red one of his famous speeches which inscribed on the walls, and I attached with his belief that the nation must be one in which all were “created equal” was the rule of law and of practice. My daughter was so excited for seeing Abraham Lincoln Memorial because she was reading a book about him in the school. So, she took many pictures of him and his speeches. Also we saw the place where Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech “I have a dream” on the steps of Lincoln Memorial. That inspired me to read more about him so, I search about his life and I red his speech. He was a great man who fight for his beliefs. Then we walked toward the World War II Memorial which honors all people who served in the armed forces of the U.S. Their names were inscribed in the stones to be unforgettable. There were some notes and flowers in front of inscribed names put by their families or friends. After that we went to the massive statue of Martin Luther King in front of the Tidal Basin. The place was surrounded with the beautiful cherry trees which started to blossom with their pure white and light pink colors. We enjoyed a spectacular view of the flowering trees even they did not reach their peak yet. Moreover, walking in the amazing sunny day with cold breezes was appreciated after the cold winter. I had a great time with my family and friends which was full of joy and fun.
Asma Aldhawyan
I didn’t go with the class to the fieldtrip , but I already visited that place before. When I visited that place for the first time , I was amazed by the view and the statues there. Martin Luther king Jr status got my full attention. It’s 30 ft tall made with white granite by Lei Yixin in 2011. He was the first person who stood up against racism. Another thing that I notice was the quotes he said were written around his status and some of his quotes was “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend” and “The time is always right to do what is right”.
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| This pic was taken in 2014, the first time I visit this place. |
Wejdan Almutlaq
I had always wish to see Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC since a long time.
My school scheduled field trip in Thursday March 24th to visit Lincoln Memorial and Tidal
Basin Park. That day was very perfect day to go there and see the trees because it was very good
weather. I saw Blossom Trees and it was a fun, relaxing, and memorable trip.
In 9 o’clock in the morning me, my classmates and our professors mate in the metro
station. First, we went to Lincoln Memorial place. I saw the statue of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th
President of the United States. Also we went to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, it was name list
of men and women who served in the Vietnam War. After that we walked to Tidal Basin to see
blossom tree.
I cannot forget how the view was beautiful and amazing. You can see white and baby
pink flowers pendulous from the trees close to the lake. People were taking photos in
everywhere. It was unforgettable sight make you take your phone and captured the moment for
owen.
classmate. The interview was about my experience with living in Washington DC, going to
VTLCI and how I improve my language skills in school. I was shy to do it until my professor
encouraged me to do it. My classmate was happy for accepting the interview because I would
help them to make their final assignment.
In conclusion, it was very beautiful place to visit. I recommend this place to all my
friends who is not seen this view before. I might visit this place another time and bring my
camera with me to take professional photos.
The school where I’m studying located in Virginia has various field trips. Therefore, one day we went to Washington DC. My school always preceded by good planning. They require field trips to get experience to students.
One day in the morning, we took the metro to Washington DC and we walked to the National Mall. After we saw Lincoln Memorial, World War Memorial and Vietnam War Memorial. After that, we went to Cherry Blossom, and we saw marvelous view such as flowers, river and incarnate Martin Luther king. I learned many things about American history. Flowers the most things are attracted in order to have different colors.
Field trips increase student’s knowledge. My school is selection the place that has many benefits to students. I really enjoyed the field trip and I recommend it to my friends to visit the Cherry Blossom.
Afra Alharbi
Our school has different field trips every term. We are located in Northern Virginia close to Washington DC, so we usually go to the Nation’s Capital. This time we went to see Cherry Blossom. I think the trip was very educational.
In the beginning, we walk from the school in a big group and took the train to Foggy Bottom station. Our group had walked for a mile and I saw lots of government’s building. After that we arrived at Abraham Lincoln statue, and it was incredible. While we were there, I saw a memorial place for the world war two soldiers. Also, we went to see the river and some ducks then we see the beautiful Cherry Blossom. On the way back, I saw the Monement tower, and it was amazing.
In conclusion, if anyone wants to see beautiful roses, nice statue, and a huge tower, they should visit Nation’s Capital. Though the trip was so exhausting, but I really enjoyed it.
Thamer Abu Arab
It is this time of the year, when the cherry blossoms bloom around the tidal basin in Washington, D.C. I have heard so much about springtime in Washington, D.C., but I have never thought that it would be like this, simply amazing. A spring morning in this place was an incredible experience. Although I have visited the same area many times before, I have never seen it this beautiful. The weather was sunny yet breezy enough to enjoy the trip and have fun. The view of the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument through the blossoming trees’ branches was breathtaking. It was very crowded with residents as well as tourists and everyone was taking photos as the sight looked so perfect for anyone to resist taking pictures. Going back in time, the trees were given as a gift from Japan to the United States in 1912. Those trees not only beautify the nation’s capital, but also represent the strong bond and relation between the two countries. The cherry blossom trees can be found in three locations: around the tidal basin, Hains Point, and the Washington Monument. From my experience, I think that the tidal basin is one of the must visit places in Washington D.C. during spring.
Maha Alidrisi
Abdulrahman Alharthi
At this time of the year, Washington DC becomes more crowded than any other time because it is the season when all cheery blossoms bloom making DC area more attractive and fascinating for tourists. In March 24, it was the day when all VT students, including me, went to DC in order to experience and explore some gorgeous and historical places such as cherry blossoms, Abraham Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Initially, we started by visiting the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. What makes this location appeals to most visitors is not only the great statue, but also the beautiful view that this site has from the top of the stairs. What I really enjoyed doing there is reading some of the written quotations on the walls. Those meaningful words were inspirational and informative by providing me with a glance of this county’s principles. Afterwards, the curiosity of knowing about history changed our directions to Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Although sadness was easy to be gotten there by seeing the great amount of dead soldiers’ names on the wall, I was delighted because this place shows appreciation for the soldiers’ souls and preserves their names in Americans’ minds as heroes. Finally, we headed enthusiastically to see the cherry blossoms and enjoy the view. Walking under the trees was something out of this world. My friends and I took some memorable pictures and had conversations by those beautiful trees. By the afternoon, the majority of the students left the place except for me. I stayed for a while meditating the beauty of the cherry blossoms.
Unquestionably, it is my favorite field trip because I get the chance to relax and enjoy the time with my classmates and professors by visiting touristic places such as the cherry blossoms. I look forward to going there next year.
