Growing up in the world of plenty, many American adolescents don’t realize just how privileged and insulated they are. They take food, shelter, and clean water for granted and rarely consider the true diversity of our world.
In a day trip through New York City, our suburban tweens had a chance to think about what it’s like to grow up in a different environment.
Our first stop was at the United Nations where we went on a 45 minute guided tour. I was concerned that visiting the UN might be boring for these kids since they have never heard of this organization, or its work.
After the tour, I asked my 11-year-old daughter for her opinion. Apparently, she really enjoyed the tour because the guide explained how the UN addresses the dire needs of children around the world. She was struck by the idea that every week as many people die from hunger, as were lost in the 2004 tsunami disaster.
I suspect that another exhibit – on child soldiers – may haunt us. It’s hard to comprehend a world where children are kidnapped and forced to fight.
We went from learning about self-determination and human rights, to learning about the history of TV broadcasting in an NBC studio tour. This was just pure fun.
After a short movie highlighting some of the funniest moments in TV history, we went on to visit the Saturday Night Live studio where we kept hoping to see Carrie Underwood (as she is this week’s musical guest and Thursday is reserved for musical guest rehearsals.) We didn’t spot any celebrities, but we enjoyed learning about the fast-paced elements of the show’s production. 
We couldn’t leave the Rockefeller Center area without a stop at an international store that is the must-see place for video game lovers of all ages – Nintendo World. While they couldn’t afford to actually buy anything, these kids loved trying out the games on the plethora of DS Lites and Wiis.
Personally, I found the historical display of Game Boys interesting. In one of the cases there is a Game Boy that survived a Gulf War bombing, and still works. So why is it that my son’s DS Lite died after just one fall on a concrete floor? The rest of the display included increasingly smaller, and jazzier, Game Boys. The girls were impressed by the display of the wide variety of DS Lites that are only available to purchase in Japan.
Meal times were an opportunity to explore international flavors. For lunch, the kids insisted on the All-American hot dog and Coca-Cola. Hey, at least I picked up a Middle Eastern shish-kabob on pita sandwich from the neighboring vendor.
Dinner; however, was in Chinatown. After some light 
shopping, we settled in for a family-style meal at Amazing 66. What a delight!
All around us the tables were filled with Asian families. We were fortunate to be seated before the line of eager patrons formed. I guess that at 6:30 PM we were a little early for dinner.
As always, we over-ordered: a pot of green tea; dumplings; spring rolls; seafood soup with noodles; beef lo mein; sesame chicken; orange beef; and garlic greens.
Nothing fancy, just some simple food that the kids were willing to try. They loved it, but now we have enough left-overs for at least 2 meals.
Of course, we left a little room for dessert in Little Italy. Just a short walk away from Chinatown, we visited Ferrara Bakery & Cafe for cappuccino, hot cocoa, and pastries. It was a sweet ending to an enlightening day.
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What a cool field trip! Sometimes, I wish we weren’t quite so far from the East coast because there is so much there I’d like to take the kids to see.
There is a lot of interesting stuff here in the middle, too, but it isn’t quite so impressive.
Dana,
Thank you! Yes, the United Nations in NYC is truly a unique and inspiring example of international cooperation. And, Manhattan has an incomparable mix of ethnicities. This is the best place on planet Earth for people watching.
Still, I’m curious about learning opportunities in the middle states. We’re looking for suggestions for our Spring Break road trip. Do you have any recommendations?
Sandra
hmmm…do you know where you are going and what kinds of things you’d like to see? And when exactly is Spring Break for you? ‘Cause if you are going to be in NE in March, you can’t miss the Sandhill Crane migration. It is worth the drive.
At any rate, if you want to email me, I can see if I know of anything interesting near where you are planning to go!
Happy you visited the United Nations building . You missed the prayer and meditation room in the first floor.Members of the UN of all faiths visit to seek inner guidance. Sri Chinmoy was the director of meditation at the UN for 40 years, presently his students are conducting this weekly activity. ONE OF HIS MESSAGES WAS –WHEN THE LOVE FOR POWER IS REPLACED BY THE POWER OF LOVE THERE WILL BE PEACE ON EARTH.
Dana,
The Sanhill Crane migration sounds awesome! I just read about it in a fictional look at memory, The Echo Maker by Richard Powers.
However, Spring Break is in April when my daughter gets a week off from school.
Last year, she was working on a state project on Mississippi so we ended up exploring the state and reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
This year, I thought about going to the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead, but that doesn’t open up until Memorial Day.
So, I’m looking for interesting book settings as possible travel sites.
I’m very curious about locations in the Midwestern or Southern states.
Thanks, Sandra