Going to see the Roosevelts!

Another tiring day has passed. Today we got breakfast at Krispy Kreme's and Zaro's Bakery so everyone could chose from a variety like scones, doughnuts or bagels. I personally wanted a doughnut because I love sugar and doughnuts! I would never miss out on getting one. Then, like yesterday, we set off on an adventure but this time to Poughkeepsie, New York! It has a unique name and it's a unique place! 

Hyde Park

I never knew that Poughkeepsie was home to Hyde Park as well as Vassar. We went to Hyde Park first and were able to get a private tour through FDR's home and his estate. There were so many interesting items on his estate. The most moving was FDR's gravesite which he shared with his wife and dog. Our tour guide told us how important his dog was to him because of how little time FDR had to relax himself. I feel like this tour taught me more about FDR or made the information stick with me more than my history class.

After his gravesite we went through the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. His home was beautiful from the outside as well as the inside. We were able to see all the naval pictures that FDR was a fan of and we learned that he was actually a fan of studying birds as well as collecting stamps. We saw the bedrooms and two out of three floors of the house. I liked how the house was not too big even though there was a lot of land to build on. It had such a homey feel so it felt like a place where someone could live right away. It did not seem like a historical landmark at all. Two facts that I learned that interested me a lot are that FDR did not want sympathy or others to catch wind that he had polio and that FDR had always wanted for his home to be a historic landmark. 

We finished up our tour with going to the Library/Museum. It had tons of information on FDR as well as his wife Eleanor. They both did some tremendous things throughout their lives and cared a lot for others. It was noon already so we got some lunch. I mean how can I write a blog without mentioning food? I had a chicken salad sandwich with homemade potato chips The cafe at Hyde Park was amazing and I highly recommend it.  Everything in and around the area had a true American feel.  It was a great day to enjoy Hyde Park. The shops had Keep Calm and Carry on buttons as well as t-shirts with Rosie the Riveter.  I didn't know both of them were significant or from the World War II era. Now enough about the food and back to our trip!

Vassar

The last stop in Poughkeepsie was Vassar. This was an interesting university because it was not like U Penn but it wasn't like Sarah Lawrence. However, it had similarities with both. It has no core curriculum and has a growing focus on math and sciences Also it has no fraternities or sororities which makes the campus feel like one community. Vassar has fairly small class with the average being about 17 people. They don't even have big lecture halls. I think Vassar is very interesting just like U Penn and Sarah Lawrence College. However they are so different and I like that too. I could tell that Vassar would be a great place to spend my years of college and it's not too rural either.  It looks like a college attend and I think their biological/ecological sciences are growing so that's nice as well. 

Me and one of the singers!

We took a train back to the subway and from there to 50th street. Dinner was amazing as always and we went to Ellen's Stardust Diner.  Now this isn't a place that most tourists talk about but it certainly is a gem in New York! It is where many of actors and actresses that are having trouble getting to Broadway work.  Here they wait tables as well as perform songs on the tables!  It seems like a wonderful place to work and they all enjoy what they do. Although we had to wait in line for a little while, it was not too bad and we were able to get inside fairly quickly! This entire place had such a great vibe because everyone was having a great time; the waiters were not faking happiness like in many bigger restaurants.  Also, the food wasn't bad, which is always a plus at a diner.  We had burgers with fries and cakes for dessert and they are very delicious! The singers would walk around while we were eating and sometimes come over to us to mess with us, by feeding us food or pat our heads! It is all very hysterical and I think it is a must go destination in New York.  Today ended with an amazing note and now it's off to bed since we will explore Yale and have more exquisite food tomorrow!