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Published: October 29th 2007
Traveling Plans
I have left my job and moved out of my apartment to travel. My first destination is the East Coast USA. The total trip will be two and a half weeks. I have few expectations. Next I am off to Nicaragua to learn Spanish and will continue to travel Central America until my money runs out.
Washington D.C.
Seattle needs a better transportation system. DC's Metro transit system is easy to use and navgate as well being very clean. I spent twenty dollars on a metro card and it lasted me more than a week. DC is compacted into a small area. The main attractions are within ten square miles and can easily be reached by the metro. The nation's capital is also working culture. I stepped into the metro to union station and I was the only person not wearing a business suit. I was also the only person who wore colors besides black/white/grey. Additionally I also seemed to be the only person who was not a zombie. I did not get the memo, but if a person expresses any kind of emotion except for boredom or indifference, the conductor will stop the metro and kindly tell you to leave for
DC Housing
Aparments? No... houses. These beauties, if sold, would go for over $550,000 easily.spoiling the other passengers' authentic DC Metro experience. Also, in some areas, if there is any eye contact with other passengers it is punishable by death.
Housing and Community
The population of DC is comprised of a large spectrum of socioeconomic diversity. Conor, my brother, lives in a largely African American populated neighborhood. In many neighborhoods I was a minority, which was not an experience I had not often encountered in Seattle. Even though our cultural differences were immense, the people I had met in DC were good people who liked to joke around. I did notice a large homeless population, which is odd because DC is our nation's capital with legislators working "for the people." One moment that stood out in my visit was a scene that took place outside the capital building. I was walking by the South side of the capital building when congress was getting out of a session. Many well dressed toothy individuals walked out, some joking around and some talking shop. There was a homeless man amidst the horde with a sign expressing his particular political views. I sat and watched as the congressmen filed out. They were so uncomfortable around this man.
One congressman adjusted his tie 5 times until he finally passed the homeless man. Not one of them talked to this man or acknowledged him with more than signs of discomfort. It was a reality I will have a hard time forgetting. The housing in DC was a shock to me coming from cities in which housing was more spread out. Houses, which looked more like small apartments, were extremely narrow and compact (and very expensive). Yards are non existent. The largest yard I saw was a patch of grass coming out of crack in the sidewalk. The owner must have paid a fortune to get prime real estate such as that. (If you specialize in residential landscaping do not move to DC.)
What Be Happinin' in DC
I had a great time in DC walking around and checking out the monuments and museums. The most interesting museum was the holocaust museum. It was structured well and had displays that you cannot help being moved by. (unless you are one of the zombies from the metro) The Smithsonian Museums had their moments but did not exceed my expectations. There was much to do outside the city as well. Many wineries and
My Giant Friend
This man later got angry and ruined the Lincoln Memorial by punching a hole right through it. orchards for a "country feel" are just outside the city in Virginia. The diversity of food selection was amazing. I never thought Ethiopian food would be so good. The cultural diversity was a great attribute to our nation's capital, but overall the fast paced and impersonal lifestyle in DC overwhelmed me. I had to go someplace where people were friendly and life was a little slower paced. I decided to get on a Chinatown bus and head to a place called New York City. Surely this village would afford me some time to think, meet friendly folks, and breathe in some fresh air...
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Joey
non-member comment
dude
dude nice flicks of the sienfeld shirt! can't beleive you got to see that in person....