After doing everything I mentioned in my last post, you would think that we were ready to have a relaxing evening back at the hotel. This would’ve been a good idea but I’m not one to relax on a vacation. We sat on the steps in front of the Grant Memorial plotting our next move; it was around 4:30 so we figured we’d journey over to the National Cathedral to see it at sunset.
The man to our right said that it was near Georgetown and walking it wasn’t an option but that if we went to the Metro they would tell us how to go. There were different Metro stations around and we couldn’t remember what line we were supposed to go to so we asked an older man if he knew and he assured us that he did. After 20 minutes following him around, it became apparent he did not. The workers at Starbucks didn’t even know what the Cathedral was, the people sitting outside Starbucks were more confused as we were, but finally a police officer could at least get us to the right Metro Station.
After two Metro lines and a very long (very cold from the blasting Air Conditioner) bus rides, we just about made it to the Cathedral for sunset. It was a journey, but it was well worth it, the building is just extraordinary. We weren’t able to go inside because the doors are locked at 5, maybe next year.
As an added bonus, we also spent the early evening wandering around the Bishop’s Garden, located behind the cathedral, which I didn’t know existed.
I am a walker. Yes, I have a license but if I can make it by foot somewhere in 45 minutes or less I will often opt to travel by foot. It must be a New York thing, living where traffic is terrible and a parking space is as valuable as finding gold, tends to make the less stressful act of walking second nature. I walk for exercise, I walk for transportation, and I walk to take in my surroundings. I mean the main reason for my trip was a walk/run for brain cancer and I didn't need to train for it.
I quickly learned that the people of Washington are not walkers. On Friday night, the very nice man at our hotel explained to me that I would not be able to walk from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial without being exhausted and mapped out a rout involving several metro trains. As you saw in my last post, I managed to survive the journey by foot.
On Saturday, we again went into the heart of DC (arriving around noon) intent on squeezing in as many possible things as we could. First stop was the White House followed by the Smithsonian Museum of American History (which I’ll discuss in detail in a later post.) Lastly we headed toward the Capital building, stopping along the way to take pictures of everything around us (I have obsessive camera disorder) some of which I’ve posted below.
Grant Memorial
Capitol Building
Smithsonian Institute
Tribute to the Bald Eagle park
I have no idea what this building is but i liked it
If you every see Washington, you absolutely must see the city at night. Friday night we headed out without a map and wandered around following the lights (and asking strangers) from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. The pictures don’t do it justice.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE
WWII MEMORIAL
LINCOLN MEMORIAL
WATER DISPLAY IN FRONT OF MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
If you've never been to Washington DC, you might not know that the Metro is just the subway. Much like its New York counterpart, the Metro runs underground with several different lines spider webbing to all different parts of the city. However, the metro would like you to know they aren’t the New York city subway system.
When entering the stations (which have a striking resemblance to the place you go to die in Soilent Green) there are big signs toting the lack of rats you will find underground unlike "other places that'll remain nameless." They very conveniently leave out there is also a lack of trains. When returning to the hotel Friday night, Lauren and I waited a half hour for a train. After 15 minutes yelling to each other, "It’s people," loses its fun, I mean really. I travel everyday on the NYC MTA lines and have never waited even half that and we have, what 50 lines, DC has 4 (the yellow, red, orange, and blue.)
Now, it is cheap so we did continue to use it, and while not nearly as time efficient, the station was 2 blocks away from the hotel so it was convenient. I wouldn't advise not using it, just allow for extra time. Still, I will think twice before complaining about the MTA again (okay at least until June.)
I just spend the most amazing weekend in Washington D.C. The trip itself might have only been 3 days long, but the days were jam-packed with new things, excitement, adventures, and the Race For Hope which I can honestly say was one of the most humbling and life changing experiences things I have ever had the privilege to be a part of.
I have no idea how many blogs will come out of it, I have so much to recount but I assume it’ll take at least a week (probably more). The only thing I would have one differently was, in retrospect I would have gone Saturday-Monday night rather than Friday-Sunday, just so I would’ve been able to go back to the hotel and rest on race day. You live you learn and if I do it again, I’ll know better next time.
As usual I’m busy as can be so consider this first blog as a preview. Please excuse spelling, these were typed in a rush on my phone.
TWEETS:
·i find the people who yell at their talking kids more annoying than the kidsApr 30th via mobile web
·you know u r far from home when u can't figure out what state ur in from the exit sign namesApr 30th via mobile web
·if i did 4square, which i never would, it'd be exploding today. going to cathedral after finally finding some1 who knew where it was. . we're on a bus. we were the farthest point away from it in all of dc when we decided to go lolMay 1st via mobile web
·an old man just stripper swung on a poll on the metro for realz May 1st via mobile web
·dear guy @ the bar, please stop standing behind a pillar and sounding like david cook. my poor friend had to walk to the lobby for no reason May 1st via mobile web
