This afternoon we travelled to Mamaroneck High School to play our penultimate hockey session. The school and their players parents organised a 'pot luck dinner' for the teams to enjoy after the match. We played on their multi-purpose pitch which is also used for Soccer and American Football. The turf was about 2/3cm long which is very different surface to the water and sand based pitches we are used to back home. The pace of the game was fast despite this unfamiliar surface and the girls should be commended for their efforts in both matches. The 1st DHS team played first against the schools Varsity team in what can only be described as horrendous weather conditions. The 2nd DHS played afterwards against a very competitive Junior Varsity Team and were unlucky to not score a goal from a penalty corner just after 5 mins. Both teams held this strong hockey school to 0-0 draws. After the matches ended the girls enjoyed the hospitality shown by the Mamaroneck High School parents. They ate pizza, salad, pasta, potato chips and a variety of buns and cookies while socialising with they competitors. The bus journey home was significantly noisier than the bus journey to Mamaroneck High School. This is our last night is New York and the girls have loved every minute of it. next stop, Boston!! Today was our main shopping day in New York. The girls had breakfast early in the morning before walking to where 5th Avenue meets Central Park. Despite the rain the girls spirits were high with the prospect of making many purchases. It proved to be a very successful morning shopping with purchases being made in many stores including Abercrombie & Fitch, Tiffany's and Co, and Michael Kors. After a busy morning of retail therapy the girls went to visit Grand Central Station which features in many famous movies before going for Pizza. This afternoon we play our penultimate game against Mamaroneck High School. In the evening we walked the girls up to Times Square where we relaxed and had dinner in the Olive Garden Restaurant. The girls and staff made the most of this opportunity to relax after what had been a very busy day. The girls compared the amount of walking to Duke of Ed. After a very enjoyable meal we walked to the Gershwin Theatre to see the famous Broadway show 'Wicked'. The show was amazing, and the girls really enjoyed the experience of getting to see a production on Broadway. We all arrived back to the hotel and the girls were delighted to be able to get off their feet and get into bed. A great day had by all, but rest is needed before heading to 5th Avenue for some shopping tomorrow. The girls got the chance to go to the 9/11 memorial, and see the sight where the twin tower attacks took place. They saw the 2 memorial fountains and the freedom tower that have been built in place of the 2 towers that once commanded the Manhattan skyline. The girls got the chance to walk around, take a few photographs and reflect on what had taken place there 13 years before. We all then headed back on the subway to go back to the hotel. Yesterday was a full day of sight seeing. We started off by heading to Battery Park on the subway so we could board the statue cruises ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. The boat took us out to the monument where the group got some time to walk about and take the 142 steps up to the pedestal viewing area. There the girls made the most of the opportunity to take photographs with the Manhattan skyline in the background. We then took the boat to Ellis Island where the group got the chance to go to the historical archives and see if any of their families have ever immigrated to America. We then hopped back on the boat to head back to battery park before walking over to the 9/11 memorial. This afternoon we took a guided tour of Manhattan. First stop Central Park! We walked around and where shown many film sites, such as the pond from Stuart Little and took a fews pictures! Next stop was a drive along 5th Avenue up to the famous St Patrick's Cathedral, we hopped off the bus again to dander around the Rockefeller Centre. We plan to return on Tuesday for a bit of shopping! Last destination before heading back to the hotel was to Grennich Village for a bite to eat. Today we travelled to Columbia University to play an English team from Surbitton High School. Our 2nd team played first against a very skilful under 16 squad. They were narrowly beaten 2-1 in the last minute of the game despite Stacey getting the equaliser early in the 2nd half. The DHS 1st team proved too strong for the Surbitton High School under 18 squad resulting in an impressive 3-0 win. The girls dominated the 1st half with Clare getting the first and Brittany following her lead for the next 2. An impressive performance from all the girls, well done! This afternoon we went to the Empire State Building where the girls got to see 360 deg view of New York. Amazing views to be seen from the 86th floor. Then we heading for our first proper opportunity to shop and were better to go than the largest store in the world... Macy's! This evening (Sunday) we went for dinner to Mustang Harry's before walking up 7th Ave to see Times Square at night. The girls' got the opportunity to experience first hand the famous 'city that never sleeps', and see Times Square illuminated with billboards. We all took a short dander to the M&M store to allow the girls the chance to do a little bit of shopping before heading back to the hotel for the night. The tour party had another early start this morning (7am) to play a tournament against Quix Sticks & Rapid Fire. Both of the DHS teams played 2 matches. The DHS 1st team played Rapid Fire and won 2-1 with Brittany and Clare scoring the girls. The DHS 2nd team also played Rapid Fire and narrowly lost 1-0 despite a few great chances by Stacey. The DHS 1st team then played Quix Stick any won 2-0 against a very competitive teams. Goals were scored by Btittany and Caragh. Caragh's goal was a cracker as she deliver an elevated reverse stock shoot into the top corner of the goal. The DHS 2nd team then played quix sticks and were again narrowly defeated 1-0 this time it was DHS who were beaten by a great 2 vs 1 goal that was lifted past the keeper into the back of the net. The tournament organiser Mim, arranged for food after the match which allowed the girls the opportunity to mingle with their competitors and teach them 'Tell my ma'. The food was outstanding with a great selection of pasta, salad, fruit, sandwiches (1.5 metre filled baguette) and lots of cookies and buns. All then washed down with very american drinks 'Gatorade', Ice Tea, or water. All the girls are now fed and water and are heading this afternoon for a tour of Manhattan. Everyone has arrived safely and checked into the hotel. The girls are all pretty tired from the travelling but still managing to eat! First hockey matches tomorrow so early start for us all... Fairly confident they will all sleep! |
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