Our first day began very early, at 6:30 a.m., as the first meeting was scheduled to discuss the rest of the day’s activities.
After that, we first took care of renting bicycles. Despite some initial difficulties, we managed to figure it out, so everyone showed up at the first meeting point: the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial.
From there, we continued by bike, passing Arlington National Cemetery to reach our next stop, the Lincoln Memorial. There, we enjoyed a beautiful view of the Washington Monument. We were able to take many beautiful photos and gather interesting impressions.
We continued on foot through the park, with a short stop for a snack and something to drink—which was necessary given the warm temperatures—before heading to see the White House. On this day, however, we couldn’t get as close as usual.
After a short lunch break, we cycled to the Capitol, where we had booked a guided tour. First, we watched a film about American history before we were able to explore many interesting rooms and exhibits.
Then came the highlight of the day: we happened to find out that we could also visit the House Chamber. To do so, we first had to check our belongings. We then listened to a speech by a female governor and witnessed a vote. That was very exciting for all of us.
It was almost dark when, after an eventful day, we set out on the 8-km ride back to Arlington on our bikes, passing the Kennedy Center—where, unfortunately, a barrier blocked our view.
But we did find a sports bar in Arlington, where we rounded off the evening with delicious burgers. After a sporty 20,000 steps, our first day together—filled with so many wonderful memories—simply ended in bed.
