It is said that living in a world without knowing what is happening around it is like roaming through a great library without touching even a single book. Keeping a vision of global exposure in mind, nine students of classes VII – XII  - Khushpreet, Sahil, Anmol, Shikhar, Sharad, Rajneesh, Paramveer, Deewansh and Jatin along with Shikha Ma’am had been to America on a 10-day tour organised by Space Astro Tourism.

Mr. Sachin Bahmba had been our tour director. The tour aimed at attending a 3 day camp at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, along with the visits to Times Square, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, American Museum of Natural History, Disneyland Orlando, Universal Studios’ Island of Adventure, Cocoa Beach and the mighty Niagara Falls.
The trip was planned in such a way that education and entertainment went hand in hand. Tour to the KSC had been an eye opener for us. During a span of a few hours, we were trained on the necessary skills desired in an astronaut. We were made aware of different operations related to the launch of a space shuttle, through a lineup of dedicated stimulators and softwares.
Meeting with an astronaut, Mr. John Blaha was a mesmerising experience for us. He showed no hesitation in clarifying all doubts related to the life of humans in space.

Our stay in USA was also marked with vivid memories of breathtaking architectural sites such as the One World Trade Center and the Ground Zero. The ferry ride to the Ellis Island, over which the Lady Liberty was situated, was an excellent experience. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly at the Disneyland, and were spellbound by the excellent fireworks and electric parades at the park.
A short detour to the Cocoa Beach brought us close to the Atlantic Ocean. Niagara Falls had been an excellent halt towards the end of the trip, memories of which will be cherished in our minds forever.

 

We all are thankful to our very own Principal Ma’am for selecting this experience as our overseas trip for the year. At last, I would like to conclude with a statement by the U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt:

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those timid spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."
— U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

Shikhar Jaiswal