Today was our first official day in Boston. We took the rather shaky train from Reading station and had a 30-minute journey to the capital of Massachusetts. Most of us were still half asleep, reading through the upcoming presentation again. From there, we travelled to the start of the Freedom Trail in Boston Common to give each other a quick update on how our exchange was going. While doing so, lots of squirrels were running around us in the park. 

We followed the Freedom Trail from King's Chapel all the way to Bunker Hill Monument on foot. We took a short break at each landmark and listened to one of the prepared presentations about a character from the period in relation to the monument. Mr Frey usually supplemented it with a few fun facts. Everyone was very creative in their choice of prop and we often laughed together. In the picture we are standing at the site of the Boston Massacre.  

  

After having walked for quite a while, we finally arrived at the last site: the Bunker Hill monument. Everyone was already quite exhausted from all that walking along the Trail and in the sun, unaware that we were only just about to climb the 300 steps up the tower. It was worth the effort though, a bombastic view of the Boston skyline was our reward. The fight for independance (for Americans back in the day and for a group of Swiss students nowadays) and some ambitious teachers was all it took to get 19 teens up the monument. 

  

Most of us ended the day together in a pizza hang out. Camilla's host sister invited everyone to her house to have fun on the trampoline, playing foosball or with hair spray. The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful and we had a great time. Now I will have the best sleep of my life after doing so much cardio walking. 

  

Elisa