POSTCARD FROM PRINCETON, NJ – FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2009

Woke up this morning to a foreign object in the sky – the sun!!!  No rain to dampen our spirits or frizz our hair today!

The kids had an AMAZING start to their day at St. Peter’s.  Their hosts dropped them off at the church by 7:30 a.m. and the church ladies (headed up by Trudy) had the most deluxe breakfast!  Pancakes, waffles, eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit, juice, muffins…wow!  We arrived to find them in the state of breakfast comatose, ready to take a snooze on the way back into Philly. 

Jim got us directly to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for our own triumphant run up the steps to the top ala Rocky Balboa.  Mind you, NONE of these kids were even BORN when that movie hit the screen.  What a view from that vantage point! 

Next stop was the shopping district of Walnut and Chestnut streets, a few refreshments at Starbucks and Jim made it through the very narrow streets back to load us on for the sllllooooowwwww ride to the historic district again.  It was lunch time on the green outside the Independence Hall Visitor Center and then split into our groups for a hike down to the South Street district for a few hours.  Some kids opted for a trip to the Firefighter Museum and some more historic street walking, but we all met up at the transportation center for our short trip to Princeton.  We had picked up the DVD National Treasure since every one of our kids seemed to have made reference to some of the many historic places we toured the last couple of days, so we started watching it as we pulled out of Philadelphia.

Our host organizer had warned us about a detour, so we found our way easily to Princeton Presbyterian Church to yet one more warm welcome!  Off the bus to rehearse in the Sanctuary and then for a wonderfully prepared lasagna, salad, bread and fruit supper.  Colleen’s family joined us – her mom, sister Marla and Grandpa were part of our special event.   In no time at all, it was get dressed and onto the altar for the concert…and true to form, the kids did splendidly!  Chamber Choir sang their full three pieces in spiting of having such full days!  Margaret even invited Marla up for Chattanooga Choo Choo!  We had a really nice audience again, proving to our children how wonderful, open and hospitable complete strangers can be!  And another lesson learned:  not strangers any longer!  Off with their luggage to their homestays and their last night off in pairs. 

Tomorrow we’ll be heading to the Big Apple, but getting to know New Jersey, Delaware and Ohio folks has been terrific! 

Til next time,

Sue