First Day Diaries: Arching the Gap (St. Louis)

By:  Siena & Cassandra

6:00AM

Greeted by pitch blackness and blistering cold, I lugged my suitcase into the back of my dad's car and began the brief trek to Newark Airport. 

6:30AM

"Oh man, did I underestimate the weather?", "Did I pack well enough for the freezing Missouri temperatures?" Thoughts began to crowd my mind. I walked into the United Airways terminal and immediately saw the other members of my group and my mind was at ease. 

9:00AM

They called our boarding numbers, and the members of our group gradually began to board the plane. We squeezed ourselves into what seemed to be the smallest plane I'd been in. Memories of my previous travels flooded my mind as our pilot gave details on our takeoff. It wasn't long before I felt the rumbling beneath me and fought against the unbearable pressure felt within my ears. I tilted my head back and dozed off into a peaceful sleep, knowing my adventure would be waiting when I awoke. 

11:00AM

The popping of my ears told me that we had arrived. All the tiredness I'd felt dissipated, excitement taking its place. 

2:00PM

The van slowly arrived next to the site we'd all been talking about. I peeked out of the window with a curiosity that was quickly satisfied by the overwhelming view of this structure. Both ecstatic and humbled, we each climbed out of the car ready to admire one of the many glorious contributions of this incredible city. We slowly moved up the steps, the strength of our united cluster was incomparable to the immensity of this beautiful structure. The Gateway Arch had exceeded any expectations we'd had. In the presence of the historical significance, we continued to walk knowing our adventure has only just begun. 

5:00PM

After a long day of sight-seeing and fulfilling all the mandates of proper tourism, we came back to the Rutgers House (cleverly named) unanimously both hungry and tired from all of the day's events. We settled on ordering pizza, a thin crust hailed as a Missouri trademark. When the pizza arrived, we all sat at the table thoroughly chewing and making small talk. Practically strangers this morning, we were all united under this roof and our shared experiences of the day. Some time while eating, our chews slowed glancing at the pizza boxes on the table and then each other, we all looked up and bursted out laughing. Coming to the conclusion that New Jersey pizza definitely tastes better.