b'TEXAS 2023Our Texas exchange trip began with groupand carnival rides), Johnson Space Centerto get us to say phrases in our accents. video calls between our class and theirs,(where NASA is based and real spaceAlongside this, we played them at soccer, discussing anything from hobbies to food,rockets), the Gulf of Mexico (where wewatched their performers in a play and politics to education; before we finally gotwent on the pier and amusements as wellattended their American football games.the fantastic opportunity to visit them inas on the beach) and the Lone Star FlightOverall, it was an unforgettable experience Houston, Texas. Museum (they had flight simulators, planesand truly one of the best weeks of my lifeWe visited so many different placessomeand even a tour of a military base). a big thanks to all the teachers who helped of my favourites being the police stationIn the school, we attended class withplan it, either side of the Atlantic!(where we got to get in a police car, tourour Texan partners and were treatedMr Sanders, Mr Thaper &the buildings and meet the officers), thelike celebrities! They kept asking for ourMiss Macilwraithrodeo (where they had actual cowboysautographs, for photos with them and even I arrived at school at 3:30ambags, our IDs for school and a big banner.The time came for the main rodeo, which DAY 1 and arrived at London HeathrowThen, we unpacked and went out for foodstarted with the first of many doses of classic airport two hours later. On the coach, we wereand shopping at Target. Then, after over 25Texas patriotism, with them honouring their given our trip jumpers to wear and I was veryhours awake, we got back to the hotel andtroops, the rodeo, the flag and the country. energetic, more than most people around me!went for a well-deserved sleep. We held a two-minute silence and the national After arriving, we made our way throughanthem was then sung by someone who With a 9am start and some check-in and security before having a bit ofDAY 2 breakfast, we were going to thecould not sing. The rodeo got under way with time to explore and get some breakfast. AfterBrazoria County Fair! We arrived with perfectmen and women getting thrown around the a 10.5-hour flight, which was full of films andsunny weather and we saw some amazingring on the backs of horses, lassoing a bulls snacks, we finally arrived in the USA.things like pig weighing, cowboy hat making,horns and tying its feet up, then sprinting After the grilling by the US border protectionpetting zoos and all the other classic activitiesafter bulls with a lasso and RKOing them. officers, we left the airport, sleep-deprivedat a county fair. After a little time to explore, weIt was brutal but so entertaining! Once that and all. Due to the time difference, we still hadwent to the rodeo! We got there just as thehad finished, we returned to the main fair and most of the day ahead of usit was 10pmsheep-back riding had started. This is wherebought some food and drink before going on back in the UK when it was 3pm in Texas!three-, four- or five-year-olds rode on thesome rides. Eventually, we got back to the Our coach pulled up at our hotel, where webacks of sheep around the ring to see whohotel before changing and then venturing out were greeted by Principal Stewart and Mrscould stay on for the longest! It was fantasticto Lupe Tortilla, a lovely Mexican restaurant, to McMahon. They welcomed us with goodieand very funny to watch!end the day.We had to be up bright and DAY 3 early at 5:30am for a day of school! As we left the hotel, we were greeted by a great sighta classic American school bus. We were all extremely excited to get on as it was something we had seen in all the American films. We met Major Hawn, who was our bus driver for the remainder of the week, who drove us to John Foster Dulles High School, once again being met by Principal Stewart and Mrs McMahon.Upon arriving, hundreds of eyes were staring at us as we walked through the main reception of the school. We met up with our partners for the school day; I was paired with 46'