Staying with families was one of my favorite things to do. It was also one of my most challenging. An introvert by nature, I was always extremely anxious about which family my roommate(s) and I would end up with. At the bare minimum, you always hoped the church screened its families well enough that you didn't end up with some psycho or filthy hoarder. But those chances being extremely low, I just hoped for people who I could feel relaxed around and get to know fairly easily. Ok, honestly? I hoped for a family that would say "Here's your room... See you in the morning!"
But in spite of my initial worry, most of the time we ended up with gracious hosts who we chatted with into the night. Those experiences of staying with host families overnight were great times of growth and getting to know people outside of our small town and our comfort zone. I wouldn't trade it at all.
Once in Washington, we toured the monuments, sang and played handbells in the rotunda of the Senate building, and even watched a classmate take the plunge into the Reflection Pool on a date (yes, that might get you arrested in today's world... but it got him 20 bucks!).
We spent a couple of days or so enjoying the city. It was a different Capital back then. We were allowed to tour at our leisure in small groups with occasional check-ins, with the only stipulation being that we didn't ride anywhere on the Metro subway.
It was a great time with friends... both old and new.
Fact: It is possible to make it from the Metro stop near the Lincoln Memorial to the Pentagon, get off, walk around, and get back between check-ins.
I won't miss a wholly word, love.
ReplyDelete