Wiebke Jakob Norma Menjivar, Julmira le,and Quyen Nguyen during her visit to Blair in July,2003.
My parents and I had planned to visit the USA this past summer. We could not
decide whether to go to Boston or to Las Vegas. Because I had been in contact
with the Silver International staff, I suggested to visit Washington D.C. and
Maryland. So that is what we did.
We stayed in a respectable hotel in downtown DC for ten nights. We were quite
surprised the weather was very humid and hot, but we got used to it.
Yudi Rodriguez (she graduated and is no longer a student in Montgomery Blair)
and Tadese Measho had given their cell phone numbers to me, so I could call them
as soon as I arrived. And on the second day of my stay, it was July 4, Yudi,
her boyfriend Mario, Tadese and I watched the wonderful fireworks at the National
Mall. Thousands of people came to spend the Independence Day together. The atmosphere
was just amazing.
Yudi and Mario were so nice. They picked me up from the hotel to show me the
area around Silver Spring and to go and eat Mexican or Chinese food. A few days
later I got the chance to meet Mr. Bellino. He drove me to Montgomery Blair High
School where I met Norma Menjivar and Quyen Nguyen (they also graduated), Maria
Torres and Julmira Ie. They gave me such a warm welcome. I felt like I had already
known them for years.
We walked around Blair and I was totally fascinated by the building (the corridors
even have street names!) and the many different sports fields. It is definitely
the best school I have ever seen. Gymnasium Wandlitz is not comparable to this
kind of palace. But the amicable connection between teachers and students is
exactly the same here, too.
One day the Silver International guys and I went to an amusement park. (We were
six persons in one car. We were a bit scared to be stopped by the police). We
rode up and down on rollercoasters and had pretty much fun.
My parents and I spent the last day of our stay with Mr. Bellino and his family.
He picked us up to show us George and Martha WashingtonÕs mansion at Mount
Vernon and then to have dinner at his house. So saying good-bye again became
even harder for me.
I was proud I could understand the American English that well (and that they
understood me). Now my wish to spend one high school year in the USA is bigger
than ever. I hope to stay in contact to the Silver International staff for a
very long time. I would like to thank everybody for making me have such a wonderful
time.
