Today started out really well. The sun was sort of shining, our jetlag had almost disappeared, and the city was humming with activity. After a nourishing and nutritious breakfast, consisting of a tiny yogurt, a cream cheese bagel, and some ill tasting coffee, we were ready to set sail for Liberty and Ellis Island. But little did we know that a terrible flood would hit Manhattan. As the day progressed, we made it to Liberty Island where the majestic statue of liberty used to greet the immigrants. The whole class were in good spirits until the rain started to fall. And it was not just a simple drizzle – it was raining cats and dogs. Chaos and mayhem broke out as the monsoon began to gain traction. It was as though the weather was about to re-enact the flooding scene from “the day after tomorrow”. Umbrellas were unfolding all over the place, transforming the island into a walking colour palette of pink, blue, and yellow umbrellas. Luckily, we had to sail to Ellis Island, where the immigrants first came to get a health inspection before being let in to America. It was extraordinary and surreal to see some of the immigrants' logbooks and read about how many immigrants used to come to Ellis Island every single day. To end the day, we all visited the 9/11 memorial, which was a moving experience even though rain was coming down so heavy that our socks were so soaked that our feet needed to be wrung.

   When we finally were released into the concrete jungle of Manhattan, shopping became an all consuming power and our credit cards became an extended limb. A quest for makeup, dresses, shoes, and shirts had begun. And the mandatory visit to Zara and H&M went off without a hitch. The spending of the day has certainly not made us rich – but at the very least - well dressed.