November 1
We decided that on this trip we were not going to focus on downtown D.C. We were here for a week with the kids in 1991 and we tried to do it all. It included the Whitehouse tour and a local representative aide guiding us around Congress, as well as the memorials, and some of t
he Smithsonian and other museums. We even attended a play at the Ford’s Theater. So this time, we aimed to concentrate on seeing friends and hitting the outlaying areas. But, we couldn’t stay away from the mall.
We boarded a Metro bus here at the campground and were dropped off at the local subway station. Within 30 minutes we ascended on to Pennsylvania Ave. We walked to mall area and basically reminisced about our former trip. We visited the Viet Nam Memorial again and, given recent events, it was even more moving then when we visited it several years ago. The Lincoln memorial is always special. I will never grow tired of th
e view. As you stand and view his expressive face carved in stone, you turn and see the Washington Monument in the sky and in the reflecting pool.
As in small towns, you get a real feel of the community if you eat in a local restaurant. Barb and I found an Indian restaurant near the Metro entrance. It was 6:30 and the place was bustling. We were able to get one of the last tables. I think I was the only male in the place without a sport coat. Most were in suits. Oh, I miss the international culture. There were two women and man about our age sitting in the table next to us. At one point their conversation went something like this:
Male: So how was your trip?
Female: Oh, it is always a trip flying into Kabul. They bring you in over the mountains and set you right down.
Other Female: Is it as eventful as flying into Baghdad?
Female: Well, it is different. Baghdad is much more frightening with all the flares going off and the way they bring you down in that tight circle.
Another refreshing aspect of the D.C. area is that people do not hesitate to discuss politics and/or religion. First of all, the business is politics. Secondly, politics and religion is so varied that different opinions are accepted as a part of this creation. You agree to disagree and you respect the other position. Discussions are very animated but relationships are valued even though there is difference of opinion.
We decided that on this trip we were not going to focus on downtown D.C. We were here for a week with the kids in 1991 and we tried to do it all. It included the Whitehouse tour and a local representative aide guiding us around Congress, as well as the memorials, and some of t
he Smithsonian and other museums. We even attended a play at the Ford’s Theater. So this time, we aimed to concentrate on seeing friends and hitting the outlaying areas. But, we couldn’t stay away from the mall.We boarded a Metro bus here at the campground and were dropped off at the local subway station. Within 30 minutes we ascended on to Pennsylvania Ave. We walked to mall area and basically reminisced about our former trip. We visited the Viet Nam Memorial again and, given recent events, it was even more moving then when we visited it several years ago. The Lincoln memorial is always special. I will never grow tired of th
e view. As you stand and view his expressive face carved in stone, you turn and see the Washington Monument in the sky and in the reflecting pool.As in small towns, you get a real feel of the community if you eat in a local restaurant. Barb and I found an Indian restaurant near the Metro entrance. It was 6:30 and the place was bustling. We were able to get one of the last tables. I think I was the only male in the place without a sport coat. Most were in suits. Oh, I miss the international culture. There were two women and man about our age sitting in the table next to us. At one point their conversation went something like this:
Male: So how was your trip?
Female: Oh, it is always a trip flying into Kabul. They bring you in over the mountains and set you right down.
Other Female: Is it as eventful as flying into Baghdad?
Female: Well, it is different. Baghdad is much more frightening with all the flares going off and the way they bring you down in that tight circle.
Another refreshing aspect of the D.C. area is that people do not hesitate to discuss politics and/or religion. First of all, the business is politics. Secondly, politics and religion is so varied that different opinions are accepted as a part of this creation. You agree to disagree and you respect the other position. Discussions are very animated but relationships are valued even though there is difference of opinion.
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