Today my goal was to get lost, then find myself again. I had to learn my way around the city, and my Dad has always said the best way to learn a city is to get lost.
The first thing I did was go to NPR so I'd know how to find it in the morning. Today my journey took something like 50 minutes, but that included a lot of confusion with the farecard machine and some difficulty orienting myself once I emerged from underground. Oh boy, did I need a map!
When I found the enormous, intimidating building, I walked onward through Chinatown, which is very nearby. I bet I have lunch there pretty often. Then I bought a Diet Coke and sat down in the U.S. Navy Memorial. A group of naval officers walked by in their dress uniforms at one point - you would have loved it, Maike. While I was sitting there, I somehow managed to be helpful to some Indian tourists, even without a map.
Next I stumbled upon the National Gallery's Sculpture Garden. My favorite piece was a giant metal reproduction of a typewriter eraser. Even more amazing, though, was the bird I heard while observing one of the pieces. I swear, really, it sounded like a car alarm. Unbelievable. I guess it's lived in the city a little too long...
I then walked along the national mall and saw some of the major monuments - the new WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the Capitol Building.
Around 1:00 I got hungry, but the only food to be found was at the expensive touristy kiosks. I bought the cheapest thing there, the hot dog, and a bottle of water, and it cost me $5.60. No kidding. DC's not going to be cheap.
I ate the hotdog on a bench in front of the reflecting pool and did some reflecting of my own. It really does amaze me to see all of the power and wealth of the city juxtaposed with so very much poverty. There is a LOT of begging and bench sleeping all around.
On my way back to find a grocery store and make my way home, I ran into a rather interesting building. On the glass door, in little green and gold letters, it said "Independent Order of Odd Fellows Temple." Hmmm....
I found a grocery store in Pentagon City and waited the half hour for the shuttle. Now as I type this, I am watching the evening news, contemplating dinner, and trying to decide which novel I should dive into tonight.
It really has been a Capitol Day!
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
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3 comments:
A capitol day... nerd.
Glad to see your back in the country safe and sound. You didn't post anything about Ireland though. :(
Anyway, hope your first day at NPR was a good one!!
Don't do all the fun stuff without us! Jill and I will be there in less than a month, and we leave it to you to determine the most advantageous point from which to view fireworks.
p.s. Casa del Calhoun is not the same without you this summer.
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