Notes From The Big Apple Day 2

So today we hit Madison Square Gardens and had hours of fun with the New York subway system. Danielle in Y11 and Zoe in Y10 have now become experts at sliding tickets through the machine.

Lakeem in the VIth form was surprised to learn that the reason we were standing on a train platform was because we were waiting for a train.

Shopping trips to 34th Street saw about 80% of the gang buy new shoes, although a surprising number of students visiting one of the finest shopping districts in the world took time to take the opportunity to spend money at H&M and McDonalds.

We took an awesome trip from Manhattan all the way across to Queens to visit the Citifield, home of the New York Mets to watch them get thrashed in their own backyard by the Florida Marlins. Waqar took the opportunity to take photographs of two NYPD who joined us on the subway for a little while. We were entertained by them dealing with a troublesome moth on the subway car. One cop asked his partner: "Were you authorised to use deadly force?"

So far the team are doing well and are getting into conversations with friendly, but slightly bemused New Yorkers on the subway. More news to follow...bear with us - the wi-fi at the YMCA is not good!

Notes From The Big Apple Day 1

Hey guys,

Here's an update from the Cabot NY team, curently styling and profiling in the city that never sleeps.

A 4 hour tour of New York led by a wonderful New Yorker by the name of Pete saw the gang take in the sights. Some great comments from the students included
Tiffany in Y11 comparing tourists visting Bristol to Bristolians touring.

"We take pictures of anything - they take pictures of churches."

Craig in Y11 compared New York to popular first-person, real-time adventure games.

"It's like Grand Theft Auto with all the taxis everywhere."

Fine dining and corporate proliferation also crept into the conversation with Stephanie in Y11 asking:

"How many Starbucks are there in New York?"

(The answer is 207 fact-fans).

And Craig following up with:

"How many McDonalds are there in New York?"

(The answer is not known, but we did learn that in New York, McDonalds deliver!)

We stopped to get a good look at Brooklyn Bridge and looked down on New York from the dizzy heights of the Rockefeller building.

In the evening we hit times square and enjoyed a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square.

Most photographed items on Day 1? New York taxis.

Morning in New York

Morning folks! We're having breakfast right about now in the YMCA on 63rd West Street New York. Here are some thoughts about where we're at.

Feeling tired this morning. The place is amazing. All the buildings are really tall and tower above you. (Luke Y10)

I got to interview an American guy on the plane called Reed on camera. This filled up the time. He told us about where he went to school and explained his music tastes. He liked The Beatles, but hadn't heard of Beyonce or Lady Ga-Ga. He told us that he was bunking school to go see his cousin in Rome. (Craig Y11)

Jacob Y10 took the amazing picture of the New York skyline and Central Park from his room at about 6am.

Some pointers for Tuesday...

Hi folks! Welcome to the 2010 John Cabot Academy NYC blog. Check back regularly over the course of the trip for images, videos and stories from the trip.

Some pointers for Tuesday...

Meet at JCA at 8:30am

Don't forget your passport, your ESTA waiver number, enough money and make sure you bring one bag weighing no more than 23KG!

You can review the presentation handout here.