Day 11 (September 26) - Plimoth Patuxet (R.H.)

Today, I woke up with excitement because I knew we were going to ride on a real, yellow school bus. A dream of mine was about to come true!
As always, I had breakfast, and we got ready to go to school. When we arrived at the school, I said goodbye to my host sister and joined the others in the cafeteria. We had to wait for an hour, which made me quite tired. But finally, the bus arrived, and we could board it.
The ride was different from what I had expected; it was a bit bumpier. Since it was so early in the morning, many people were still sleeping. At one point, we even passed by the beach, offering an incredible view.

After an hour and a half of riding on the bus, we arrived at Plimoth Patuxet. Patuxet is the Indigenous name of the place where the Mayflower passengers founded their first town. Patuxet in the Wampanoag language means “place of running water”, as there are many natural springs in these surroundings.
We met a gentleman who worked there, and he informed us that we would first go inside to watch a short film about the park we were about to explore. Afterward, we would be able to visit the campus and its sights.
So, we went inside and watched the movie, which provided information about life in the United States during the 17th century. Following that, we were free to explore, and I walked around with Uma and Elena.

We saw many different historic Patuxet homesites, such as a "tent" like building, a wetu where people lived and we were able to observe how they cooked a “succotash” over an open fire. A succotash is a traditional dish which typically contains beans, corn, squash and herbs contains. A few steps further on we were able to see a mishoon is a traditionally crafted canoe by coastal tribes. In the 17th century this was the most common boat in North America. However, what impressed me the most was the little village that had been recreated. There were actors portraying roles from the 17th century society. Presenting the visitor what life was like back in the time of the pilgrim settlement. We spoke to them, asked about their experiences in Plymoth Colony and their daily chores, and observed them going about their routines such as preparing a meal, breeding animals, splitting wood, fetching fresh water, or pounding corn.
It was genuinely fascinating, and I felt fully immersed in that reenacted world. After this field trip, I was very tired, so I slept on the way back on the bus. When we arrived back at the school, I waited for Kim. We drove home, and we were both so exhausted that we decided to stay home in the afternoon. We watched movies together and ordered pizza.
During this second week, I bonded a lot with Kim, my exchange partner. We had so much fun and shared many laughs.

 

Day 10 (September 25) (C.C.) - Cambridge / Harvard

Today, we met at the Oak Grove once again. It was 6:50 a.m., I know, quite early. As usual, we boarded the orange line, but for the first time, we decided to switch to the red line and traveled all the way to Cambridge, more precisely, Harvard Station. When we exited the T-Station, it was raining, but I didn't mind because the gates of the famous Harvard University stood directly in front of me. I had been eagerly anticipating this moment, as I had read extensively about this renowned institution of learning and had been captivated by such prestigious schools for as long as I could remember. It was an exceptionally special moment for me.
We strolled around the campus for a while before making our way to the Harvard Museum of Natural History, where we explored the various exhibitions. The exhibition that intrigued me the most was the new glass flower exhibit. It featured an incredible collection of exquisitely preserved flowers, with one intriguing twist—they were not real flowers at all but rather meticulously crafted from glass. This collection was made by Leopold (1822-1895) and Rudolf Blaschka (1857-1939). These flowers are one of Harvard University’s most famous treasures. Over the course of 50 years, from 1886 through 1936, the Czech Blaschkas (a father and a son) produced 4,300 glass models.

After our visit to the museum, we enjoyed some coffee and had free time to do as we pleased. So, my friends and I decided to visit the Harvard Bookshop, where I indulged myself with two new books. We also embarked on a leisurely stroll to a thrift shop that had been recommended to us, and it turned out to be a fantastic find. The shop had a delightful selection of both charming and amusing clothing items, as you can see in the pictures.
Afterward, we returned to Wakefield. All in all, it was another remarkable day in Boston.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 9 (September 24) (A.L.) - Sunday

 Today was very funny. In the morning David and his partner Dina picked me up to go to Target as my partner Stella had hockey practice and would need to work the entire afternoon. When we got to Target, I thought it was weird that they also had groceries as we don't have those in our Target in Australia. After that we went to Panera to get some sandwiches for lunch. They were incredibly delicious but just like every other restaurant I've visited here the portions were far too big for us.
Later on, we met up with Nils, Miron, Alexandra and their partners to go apple picking. It was a beautiful orchard with a bunch of different types of apple trees. As we got further and further into it, I spotted some people who had a long red metal rod with a grip up the tip to pick the apples further up the trees. I jokingly told Miron we should get two and have two people on two other shoulders run up to each other and participate in a jousting tournament like knights did in the Middle Ages. From there on the hunt was on to find two. It wasn't long until we both returned with one each. I had David get on my shoulders and Miron had Deidre on his. Alexandra called 3, 2, 1... and off we went. Next thing I knew I felt a hit to the side of my head and so lost my balance sending David flying face forwards towards the ground. We both cracked up laughing. Though you might think this result would raise some concern and make me think about my actions I felt no regret. We had a blast!
After we finished picking our apples, we got some food from their farm shop and made our way to a thrift shop. Though most of us had planned to go together we seemed to have missed each other but David, Dina and I had each other’s company to give recommendations. I found a nice sweater that I like even though they both called it a grandpa's sweater. I found some fun sunglasses too and finally I bought a wig. You might wonder why I need a wig and to be honest I really didn’t, but it was only two dollars and in the heat of the moment it seemed like the funniest thing to buy.
Thereafter we went to Dina's house. Her family invited me to stay with them for dinner as they were having a BBQ. I thought it was only going to be David, Dina, me, and Dina's family but eventually more and more family members showed up. I had nice chats with them about our exchange and what Switzerland is like. After we finished our dinner there were a bunch of different cakes to choose from. Only then when they started singing happy birthday did David and I realised it was someone's birthday party. Though we were singing along we had no Idea who we were singing for, but it was still very nice. Later David and Dina drove home again where I started to write this blog entry.

 

 

Day 9 (September 24) (N.H.) - Sunday

 

This morning, I woke up feeling perfectly rested. I went downstairs, and there was Jimmy, my host dog, coming right at me. He is such a friendly furry friend. After cuddling and petting him, I had a delicious breakfast by myself, a bagel with fruits and vegetables. I thought about the night before when I went to haunted houses; I was scared for a moment as I relived that experience. Later I had plans with Anandi to go to a thrift store called Savers. She and Abbey, Anandi's exchange student, picked me up. Anandi and I were almost overwhelmed by the number of clothes there. We both got nice “new” clothing. What I appreciate about thrifting is that you can really create your own unique style.

After an afternoon well spent, I made plans with Selma and Ali to watch a movie. We couldn't decide at first, but then we settled on watching "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3." The title brings back memories of the first movie, although I didn't watch the second one. Anyways, the third movie was a reunion of the family because the head of the family had passed away. They all had a holiday together in Greece, and the movie had a good ending.

Afterward, I went to Selma's place, and we watched the new episodes of "Sex Education." I was back home by eight and had dinner with the family, which was lovely. Last but not least, I snuggled up in my bed and fell fast asleep. I'm so excited to visit Harvard tomorrow. Good night!

 

Day 8 (September 23) Weekend (A.S.)

 

Finally! Today, we were able to sleep in for the first time this week. I woke up after a refreshing 9-hour sleep. My host mom had already left with the youngest son of the family for his hockey game.

 

Sports play a significant role in their lives! Just last weekend, they drove four hours one way to attend one of his games. The entire family participates in multiple competitive sports and practices them daily. But I believe it's quite common in the US. They also have friends on the team, which will benefit them in securing scholarships for college later on. The games are important events for the entire school, even if you're not playing; you go to watch, especially for football and generally more so for boys' sports. Sometimes, I wish we had school sports like this back home, something you can truly focus on. However, I also think it can create unnecessary pressure in an activity that is a hobby.

 

In the morning, my host sister and I watched "Gilmore Girls." It gives me a cozy autumn feeling, which is perfect now that the weather is starting to cool off. I'm surprised that many things you see in movies about the US are actually true! Later, we had lunch at "99 Restaurants" with some other exchange students. Going out to eat is much more common here!

 

In the evening, we visited "Spooky World," featuring various haunted houses. It was scary but fascinating to see, considering we don't have anything like that in Switzerland. It's a bit sad that we'll miss Halloween, as I understand it's a big deal here. The stores have already begun decorating for it. How exciting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 8 (September 23) - Weekend (M.G.)

 Today was another good day. After we woke up, we got ready and went to Chick-fil-A for another American experience with Nils, David, and his exchange partner, Dina. Chick-fil-A was a very busy place with at least 15 people behind the counter. The atmosphere was bustling, and we enjoyed this authentic American fast food restaurant experience. There are almost no vegetarian options on the menu, so I just chose fries and a milkshake. The fries at Chick-fil-A are waffle fries, and interestingly enough, they taste differently even though the only difference is the shape. Perhaps they are crispier due to the waffle shape.

In the afternoon, Gigi and I decided to go thrifting with Selma and Ali. We went to a place called Savers, and it was enormous. It had so much clothing that we spent almost two hours looking through the racks. We were all able to find a few fashionable garments and accessories. Thereafter we drove to Target together. I have always wanted to go to Target because in my imagination it's such an American store; here again the proportions are humongous and to top things of it even had a Starbucks in it. They literally have everything one can imagine, and this experience was somewhat overwhelming.

After this adventure we headed off to celebrate the birthday of a friend of Gigi’s. We were invited to the birthday party. This friend had just turned seventeen and again it was fun to see how they celebrate their birthdays. We just hang out together, which was very cozy. I very much appreciated this day because I got to do a lot of things that I wanted to experience in America.

Day 7 (September 22) - Downtown Boston and whale watching (D.S.)

At 6:50, we gathered at Oak Grove Railway Station to embark on our journey into Boston. After a brisk 20-minute ride, we arrived and strolled over to Boston Common, a picturesque park located in the heart of the city. We then proceeded to explore the historic downtown area of Boston, where charming brick houses and quaint shops replaced the usual abundance of Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks.

 

After approximately an hour, we had some free time to explore Boston on our own, and our first order of business was finding a place for breakfast. Fortunately, our teacher recommended a delightful spot called George Howell. We split into groups, but to our pleasant surprise, about half of our class and our teachers had the same idea, making it a well-justified choice. The experience was truly remarkable.

 

Once we had all enjoyed our meals, a few of us decided to spend the remaining minutes at the park before regrouping. At noon, we boarded a boat at Boston port for a whale-watching adventure. For many of us, it was our first-time whale watching, and the excitement was palpable. However, we were also aware that spotting whales isn't guaranteed, so we tried to keep our expectations in check.

 

As the boat picked up speed, the wind on deck intensified, creating a "lying-in-the-air" sensation, which we fully embraced. For nearly an entire hour, we reveled in the exhilarating ride. That is, until we spotted the whales: a mother and her calf. The calf displayed playful movements, leaping out of the water, and splashing its tail, providing us with an incredible spectacle. We followed them for an hour before making our way back to shore. Once back on solid ground, we had to hustle to return to Wakefield promptly.

 

At 6 pm, the Hawaiian-themed football game commenced, and we all sported Hawaiian shirts or leis in the spirit of the event. Wakefield football games have a unique tradition where someone dresses up as Moses and "parts the Red Sea," which refers to the student section. This time, to everyone's surprise, Alex was chosen to play the role of Moses, adding an extra layer of fun to the evening. Despite our limited understanding of the game's rules, the football game proved enjoyable. Moreover, the backdrop of a beautiful sunset enhanced the overall experience. All in all, it was a successful evening and a rewarding day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 6 (September 21) - Freedom Trail and North End (Boston) (S.K.)

 Hi everyone!

When I woke up today, I was in a big rush. My alarm rang at 5:45, and after what felt like 10 minutes, my host sister and I left the house. I still need to get used to driving everywhere by car. After a ride on the orange line, we arrived in Downtown Boston. It was freezing cold, but the sun was shining. We directly started with the Freedom Trail. The city was still quiet and calm. During the trail, we all held our presentations. We learned about the American Revolution, the Boston Massacre, and the Atlantic trade and its connection to the slave trade. After a few stops, we got some bagels because we were starving. I had an avocado bagel. I'll miss this bread so much in Switzerland. But back to the Freedom Trail. We were not only looking at historical sites, but we also saw the city waking up. In the end, it was hot and crowded in the city. 

When we were done with the trail, we explored the city in groups. I went to a café with my friends. We bought iced coffee and ate sandwiches in the North End. I love this neighborhood. It felt very European and international. We relaxed in the sun and got to rest for a bit. Then we decided that we wanted to do some shopping. We went to a store called Marshals where everything is discounted. I bought mascara. Somehow we spent the whole afternoon catching up and enjoying the sunny weather. 

After a long day in the city, we got home. My host sister was still at practice when we got there. The host mom of a friend of mine was very kind and took me on a ride. I got invited to stay at their place for a bit, and my friend and I were so tired we just watched a show. I think I am going to sleep very well tonight because I'm so exhausted. I'm already excited for tomorrow. We are going to do whale watching, and I hope we'll see those amazing animals in the ocean! 

 

Day 5 (September 20) - Visit to State House in Boston and Duck Tour (N.H.)

Today was our first field trip to Boston. We all woke up early and got a car ride to Oak Grove Station, where we would meet at 7:30 to hop on the Orange Line, one of the city's subway lines. We got off at North Station and had some extra time before our first official stop. Many of us went to Faneuil Hall to get food and souvenirs. Some bought T-shirts, and I got a cool new sweater!

We reconvened at Haymarket at 10 o’clock and walked to the Massachusetts State House. It's a large building in Boston, next to a park, where many political meetings concerning Massachusetts take place. After passing through a security check, we went on a guided tour of the building, learning a lot about its history and the state itself. The tour concluded in the room of representatives, where we met Mr. Donald H. Wong, the representative of the 9th Essex District (around Wakefield). He shared insights into current political debates and surprised us with an invitation to a quick lunch at a nearby coffee shop.

After lunch, we had a scheduled duck boat tour. It was my first time on a duck boat, and I was quite excited. Duck boats are like large bus-like vehicles that can operate on both land and water. Our humorous tour guide entertained us with stories about the city's history as we enjoyed views from the Charles River and Boston streets.

Following the duck boat tour, our group split up. Some returned to Wakefield, while most of us stayed in the city. I walked along Newbury Street with my exchange partner and two other pairs, exploring various stores until we were exhausted. Then, we headed back to Oak Grove station, where we were picked up and driven back to Wakefield. Although we had initially planned to go to the beach with some classmates in the evening, we decided to save that for another day.

Despite the day’s exhaustion, it was an immensely enjoyable experience and an excellent first field trip to Boston, making me even more excited about the upcoming ones!

 

Day 4 (September 19) - Shadowing at Wakefield Memorial High School (day two) (S.G.)

Right now, I am sitting in my bed with a large water bottle next to me and my freshly done red press-on nails. The water in the bottle is cold, thanks to the cool fridge where you can have ice anytime you want. I love this bottle; I borrowed it from my host family, but I definitely want to get one for myself. Almost everyone in high school has one of those, I noticed when we visited there yesterday and today.

Today, just like on day three, I followed my host sister Sienna around school and into her classes. I really like her classes, especially her creative writing class. The classroom is full of books, and the class always starts with 10 minutes of reading time. Today, the students had to work on their reading planner, which is a document where they write down the books they want to read in the next few months. The students also talked about what they are currently reading, and once more, I noticed a difference between the student and teacher relationship here and in Basel. When one girl was talking about the book she was reading, she said she really liked it, and the teacher said she did not like that book. "I know we have very different tastes in books," the teacher said. I thought it was so cool and impressive that the teacher knows about the reading tastes of her students so well.

During the lunch break, I had a pretzel which was good, and then I went to two other classes. The other Swiss students and I were so confused about the hallways; we couldn't walk alone anywhere. But it was always so much fun meeting people we knew from the exchange and from our class in the hallway.

After school, we went to the theater room in the school building. That's where we met all the students and teachers from the exchange program. The American exchange students prepared presentations to give us an overall impression of American culture. It was very interesting and informative.

Sienna, Zippy, Miron, Ladina, and I decided to go to Target after the presentations. We drove there, and I got my press-on nails and some cute “care bear” sweatpants. I loved going to Target; I had always wanted to go there, as to me it seems like a typical American experience.

After some rest at home, Sienna and I went to pick up Ladina to go to the volleyball game at Wakefield High School. Everyone was in such a good mood, dressed in a Hawaiian theme (the theme of the game), and it was so exciting to be there and the atmosphere was thrilling. Roxanne and Kim brought a large box of delicious cookies with them. After Wakefield's team won, we went to Chipotle to get some dinner. I had tacos and nachos, which were all very good. Sienna and I drove Lou, Ladina, and Laine home afterward. I am happy to go to sleep now; I am finally not jet-lagged anymore, and tomorrow we must get up early.