a.m. postscript: Postcard: Washington D.C.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Postcard: Washington D.C.

I've been to Washington D.C. maybe eight or nine times. Wow, I had no idea I have gone there that many times! The first trip, the one I don't recall, was with my family when I was a toddler. I went with my classmates when my junior high school made a big D.C. trip in the 8th grade. That was an exciting trip because it was with friends and no family! I went many times over the years to visit college friends who were living there. One of my college friends grew up there and hosted me during a job interview weekend and two other friends are diplomats for the State Dept and travel in and out of D.C. fairly frequently. The last two times, I went with my husband pre-baby. The photos in this blog are from our 4th of July trip in 2007.

There is a lot to see in D.C. and most of the sites are free. I have visited the landmarks (Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Memorial Bridge, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, WWII Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial). I have seen government buildings - the White House, U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. Capitol Building. I have walked around the National Zoo and the Arlington Cemetery. I have hung out in Georgetown and Dupont Circle. I have eaten great Ethiopian food and Korean food. I teared up at the Holocaust Museum and laughed through the International Spy Museum. I have gazed at the cherry blossoms in the spring. I have been frustrated and baffled by the road grid and traffic circles.

What strikes me the most about D.C. is the awe that you feel when walking downtown or driving around the beltway. It is always breathtaking to me to see the Washington Monument or the tops of the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials from no matter where you are downtown. No matter what your feelings toward those in office, you can't help but be amazed by the history and the formation of this country. I would not want to live here (the driving!!), but I love to visit again and again.