Entry 7.2 / 19th June 2022
It was bustling with people, as expected – after all, it’s one of the most famous museums in America, if not the world. But it did raise my anxiety levels slightly. I made sure to talk to Lewis and Courtney, hoping that doing so would help calm my nerves amidst the crowds.
After scanning all of our tickets and having our bags checked, we entered the museum. It was a bit overwhelming to decide where to start, as we all studied the map, trying to plan the best route. Eventually, we found ourselves in the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth.
Since we all read and absorb information at different speeds, we gradually separated from one another. However, I made sure to glance up occasionally to check in on everyone’s whereabouts. I didn’t want us to lose track of each other.
Upon all the different learning this section provided, there was a detailed history and science to the Grand Canyon.
Before coming to America, I had contemplated where I would like to go after camp. New Orleans was at the top of the list, but I was unsure on where else. I’d hoped to possibly go to places on the weekends off we had, nearby places anyway. But other than that? I wasn’t overly certain.
I overheard some people discussing a trip to the Grand Canyon. Despite the stupid moment where I forgot it was in America, I even considered joining them. After all, how often do you get the chance to visit such a remarkable place?
I still wasn’t sure though. It was a big maybe.
But reading about the Grand Canyon. It’s history. Its biology. It made me inspired. It made me excited.
I’m so going to the Grand Canyon. I promised myself, taking an Instagram story of the displays on the Grand Canyon.
‘Duh.’ The responsible voice came in, ‘it would be stupid not too.’
Eventually, I caught up with Lewis in geology section of the area. I looked around, searching for the other four. However, I grew concerned when I only managed to spot Hanna and Diego among the crowds.
“Hey.” I said to Lewis to gain his attention. “Do you know where Courtney and Mary are?”
He looked up, blinking for a moment as he looked away from what he was reading and looked around. “No… I swear they were just up ahead of me though.”
I frowned and reached for my phone in my pocket. “I’ll text them, see… Oh, wait.” I saw a notification on my phone and my frown grew. “They said that they’ve finished in this area and gone on without us.”
Lewis had frowned too. “Already?”
I shrugged. “Maybe they are really fast readers.”
It wasn’t until we entered the space-themed areas of the museum that I received another text from Courtney. It stated that they had finished exploring the museum and were leaving to join the others for sightseeing in the city.
“They paid twenty dollars for entry and only spend an hour here?” Lewis was just as flabbergasted as me.
I was completely confused. Considering the museum’s vastness, it would take a lot more than one hour to fully experience it. I knew earlier that they were interested in what the others had planned for the day, but what Lewis made a valid point. They had paid to visit the museum, and an hour hardly seemed long enough to appreciate it. Despite feeling a bit offended by their sudden departure, I recognised that they had every right to pursue their own interests. After all, they weren’t obligated to stay with us, especially considering our recent acquaintance.
So, it was a mixed bag of emotions I was feeling, but I decided to brush it off and enjoy what I paid for.
“Then there was four.” I joked with Lewis, Hanna and Diego as we made our way to the space theatre.
***
One of the exhibits that surprisingly impacted me was the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall. To say the 26th President was an interesting man would be an insulting understatement. I didn’t realise how much of an influence he was on the perseveration of the natural world in America. He thrived in nature, possibly being one of the first figures to speak out on climate change and how important it was to look after our mother earth.
He helped declare the national parks within America, one of them being the Olympic National Park. Something that sparked my interest, and I mentally put on the possibility list of places to go too.
I remembered a much younger version of myself, declaring myself a city girl, resisting the idea of long hikes and camping activities. I preferred shopping, hanging out with friends, and enjoying the perks of city life.
Now in my mid-twenties, I find myself less drawn to the chaotic life a city promises. Instead, I’m increasingly attracted to the tranquillity of nature, small towns, and villages. I crave connection with the world that nature offers.
Learning about Theodore Roosevelt and how he resonated with my sentiments sparked a desire to explore the national parks he worked tirelessly to protect.
Though, there was one downside to Roosevelt.
He was really into birds.
‘Ew.’ The bright voice cringed.
Don’t get me wrong, birds are nice to look at, and I understand how important they are to the environment, but… I must confess, I used to have a fear of pigeons. Especially when I was sort of attacked by one once (as well nearly attacked by swan as a child). While I’ve outgrown this fear, it was fair to say that myself and the bird species would never be on the same wing of life.
***
As the museum visit progressed, I found myself alternating between absorbing new information and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of exhibits. Nonetheless, it was a rewarding experience to immerse myself in histories and countless narratives. Moreover, spending time with Hanna and Diego was enjoyable. I learned that Diego was pursuing a degree in biology, with a focus on entomology. He shared numerous fascinating facts about ants as we explored the relevant exhibit.
By the time we got to the dinosaur exhibits though, I was nearly knackered out. My eyes strained, feet killing me. If this museum wasn’t the cause of my death, then I must be some kind of immortal.
Luckily, the dinosaur exhibit was a blessed relief. As a child, I was wildly fascinated by dinosaurs – a huge fan of the Jurassic Park trilogy (original, of course). I learned everything I could about the extinct species, devouring information online and in books.
As I wandered through the exhibit, those childhood memories flooded back as I read about each skeleton and various species of dinosaurs. The fondness I once held for these creatures emerged once again, reminding me of the fascination I had for them long ago.
It was when I got to one information point that I burst into laughter. Startling the crowds close to me.
It read: “since the closest living relatives of Tyrannosaurus and other carnosaurs are birds, it’s probable that Tyrannosaurus walked like a giant bird.”
This comes off as the biggest burn towards them since the asteroid.
***