• Harvard University (October 5, 2023)
• Stanford University (October 6, 2023)
Globetrotters: Philip Zaharie, Ariana Mîndru, Briana Paraschiv
4th October 2023 - Timisoara - Munich - Boston
At 2 pm we have boarded Lufthansa flight LH1657 bound for Munich.
After a short layover in Munich we boarded the Lufthansa A380 in service to Boston. Ensconced in the comforts of the upper deck business class, the flight offered a reprieve and a moment of relaxation amid the exhilaration of travel.
Boston greeted us with open arms at 6 pm. Aloft Boston Seaport District, our chosen resting spot, reflected Boston's modern side, with its chic design, while being rooted in its historic locale.
5th October 2023 - Boston, Harvard
Morning in Boston had us excited for the day ahead. Around 11 am, we found ourselves at MIT. Located in Cambridge, MIT is not just a place of rigorous academic pursuits but also where the world's brightest minds have shaped the future. The imposing edifices, the dome, and the Infinite Corridor all narrate tales of genius and inspiration.
After MIT, at around 2 pm, the hallowed grounds of Harvard awaited. An admissions tour had us walking the grounds where luminaries such as John F. Kennedy, Mark Zuckerberg, and Barack Obama once tread. The history of this Ivy League institution reverberated through its red-brick buildings, expansive libraries, and verdant courtyards.
As the afternoon sun dipped, a taxi whisked us away to the airport. At 8:30 pm, we boarded United Airines UA202, ready to cross the US to the City by the Bay—San Francisco.
We touched down in San Francisco by midnight. Taxi lights blurred as we made our way to the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA, which stood as a beacon against the night, promising rest.
6th October 2023 - San Francisco
San Francisco, famously known as the City by the Bay, was our stomping ground for the day. After renting a car at 10 am, our morning was met with the rust-colored majesty of the Golden Gate Bridge. As one of the modern wonders, this iconic structure spans the 3-mile-long Golden Gate Strait, a testament to human engineering and a symbol of San Francisco's frontier spirit.
Post the bridge admiration, our drive took us through the Sonoma Valley. California's wine country with its verdant rolling hills and vineyards as far as the eye can see, Sonoma is where viticulture blends seamlessly with history. The region played a critical role during California's Mexican period, with missions and ranchos dotting the landscape. Our spirits soared at Domaine Carneros, an ode to both French chateaus and Californian grandeur. Beyond its sparkling wines, the winery tells stories of European legacy mingling with New World innovations.
Come 2:15 pm, we traded vineyards for academia. Stanford University, with its Spanish colonial revival architecture, stands proud in the heart of Silicon Valley. Our admissions tour not only introduced us to its academic prowess but also its rich history, founded in the memory of Leland Stanford Jr. by his parents in 1885.
The day's finale was nothing short of cinematic. A cable car ride from Union Square to Powell & Hyde encapsulated the city's spirit - an amalgamation of history, steep inclines, and panoramic views. As the car clanged its way through the city, the bayscape and twinkling lights held our gaze.
7th October 2023 - San Francisco - Munich
Morning in San Francisco began with the hustle of packing and final goodbyes. A taxi transfer later, we found ourselves at the airport, ready to bid adieu to America. The 1:30 pm United Airlines flight UA194 took to the skies, whisking us away from the vibrant American West Coast, charting a course for the heart of Europe - Munich.
8th October 2023 - Munich - Timisoara
Munich greeted us with its Bavarian allure at 10 am. Our stay was brief. Taking flight LH1656, we made our way back to Timișoara.
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