For the first time, all of the exchange students (both British and American) came together, and we went to York. Our first stop was York Minster Cathedral, the biggest cathedral in northern England. Our tour guide led us through the main places of worship, the crypts, and explained the history of the place including the underground Roman city and the three fires that were only stopped by gigantic limestone arches in the center of the building. Something that I found fascinating was the stained glass that filled every window and the intricacy and stories each told; some of the glass was even being restored, and our guide explained some interesting facts about that as well. After the Cathedral we were set free for a bit and all ate lunch and walked around cobblestoned York. After that, we found our way over to the National Railway Museum where we free-toured around England’s history of rail travel. Though this was a less intense day, it was good to hang out and be able to chat with all of the people on the exchange.
Overall, we had time to take a break and enjoy the fabulous weather which also benefited the QEGS rugby team. Apparently, all students from QEGS and WGHS were given the chance to go see the rugby game in Twickenham (5 hour bus ride!) which would determine who the NatWest Schools Cup Finalist would be; unfortunately, QEGS lost, which apparently happens every year, though they always get to the finals, so that’s good. When we got back from York, we watched 15-20 minutes of the game, and oh my gosh, none of us really knew what was happening. Everyone keeps saying it’s just like American football without padding, but there were so many strange rules/strategies and the gameplay was so different that we were left heavily confused. Hopefully as our trip goes on we’ll pick up on this new sport; I just don’t want it to make it back to Pingree and end up in the yearbook next to “Hacky Sack club” or anything.
-Nina Lubeck, '17
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