Washington DC is operating at a different pace to Louisiana, there is no doubt about that. Having some time down south was great to get a feel for the rural America, and has armed us with some questions to put to the presenters we encounter in DC.
First up though some time to check out the city and some history.
Mike, our guide on a three hour bus trip around the historical highlights of the city, is able to give us a blow by blow commentary of the early days of politics in the country's capital.From the assinations to the wars, mike had a story - with only a little creatrive licence l'm sure !
Getting a look at places like The Whitehouse, Capitol Hill, Lincoln Memorial and the many war memorials was a great experience and one that will stay with me forever.
Museums are everywhere and one would need several days to do them justice. The Holocaust Museum alone took 3 hours and that was even rushing it.
Museums are everywhere and one would need several days to do them justice. The Holocaust Museum alone took 3 hours and that was even rushing it.
Monday though is the start of two days with eleven meetings with nineteen people, on a range of topics from Farm Bill to environment and views on trade.
Had a great morning at the New Zealand Embassy discussing a range of topics, and with the latest Farm Bill proposals having been rejected by the House, gave the scholars an opportunity to get a good understanding of how it actually works and what it means to US. agriculture.
Representatives at the Embassy included;
Jason Frost on market access.
Rowena Hume,Trade and Economics.
Terry Meikle, Beef & Lamb NZ.
Dr Chris Parker, Australian Embassy.
Fiona Hutchinson, Fonterra.
Special thanks to the Embassy for the sausage rolls and the lamingtons ! Beautiful.... even the Aussies in the group were complimentary !
Day two was spent at the American Farm Bureau with both Senate staff and House staff along with Crop Life, Farm Bureau and Senior Policy staff.
80% of the funding involved in the Farm Bill is actually social security payments and isn't really coupled to agriculture and many would like to see this change but will be a long process.
TPP was discussed at length throughout the two days with a variety of views from the different offices, with the US. looking to take advantage of the TPP to enhance its relationship with Japan. It does seem though that the US. believes they can make the rules rather than be part of the negotiations with the other countries involved.
After a full on day like that it would be good to relax for a bit, but that will be eight hours on a plane to Amsterdam via Heathrow.
Flight is to leave at 10.30 pm but due to local storms,we sit on the tarmac for two hours.
The intention is to write this blog, however 10 minutes into the movie I select, I'm fast asleep for most of the trip.
Being now two hours behind schedule, time is tight in Heathrow with the connection to Amsterdam. Too tight in fact, one of the team is held up at security and doesn't make it onto the flight.
Another 3 hour wait while he catches up and we jump on a train to meet the Netherlands host, Djuke van der Maat and Tafi Manjala, another 2013 NZ Nuffield Scholar who will spend a couple of days with us.
Flight is to leave at 10.30 pm but due to local storms,we sit on the tarmac for two hours.
The intention is to write this blog, however 10 minutes into the movie I select, I'm fast asleep for most of the trip.
Being now two hours behind schedule, time is tight in Heathrow with the connection to Amsterdam. Too tight in fact, one of the team is held up at security and doesn't make it onto the flight.
Another 3 hour wait while he catches up and we jump on a train to meet the Netherlands host, Djuke van der Maat and Tafi Manjala, another 2013 NZ Nuffield Scholar who will spend a couple of days with us.
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