Thursday morning started around 9:00 when my friend Jeff and I left his place in Alexandria, VA for the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. Along the way we stopped for coffee where Jeff handed the small women four packets of Splenda and then smiled -– She came back with a large coffee in no time… Transaction complete! I didn’’t say a word, just knew this nutty behavior probably occurred each morning. So, not being a regular, I assumed my order would be a little more complicated – I asked for a medium Skim Latte with 2 Splenda packets. Not a moment later… transaction complete… and correct! The journey continued through traffic and various freeways into the DC Beltway through Arlington, VA – past the Pentagon, over the Potomac River, and right into DC. It was the National Mall straight ahead -– but after a few bumps, we changed direction and headed towards K Street and over to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station on the campus of George Washington University. I bought a day pass, which got me unlimited Metro rides for the rest of the day. I rode the red line down four stops to the Smithsonian in anticipation of the Dada and Cezanne exhibits both at the National Gallery of Art. After having a suitcase fall on my foot and a half-hearted apology, I made my way above ground to a clear blue sky, children laughing, and the Parks and Recreation staff hard at work – a little spring cleaning action was all around.
I thought I was entering the National Gallery, but it was in fact the next one down, The Museum of Natural History where Animals, Dinosaurs, and other creatures come to life. At first, I was going to just turn around, but then saw the T Rex skeleton and decided to jaunt through exhibit and see what’’s what. I am glad I did – I learned something. Did you know the Neanderthal had a burial ritual? They also believed in an afterlife and had a Shaman, or holy man perform at each burial…
I then fled to the National Gallery Sculpture Garden next door and once again saw the Roy Lichtenstein house. It’s one of my favorite things to see, so I must visit this garden each time I find myself in DC. The Cezanne exhibit was crowded, bright, and positive – The paintings all had to do with Provence, Southern France. I didn’’t take my time through the parade of tourists going in and out like ants, I didn’t have the patients to keep on moving – Besides, I was still looking forward to seeing Dada. I know it was waiting for me, so I split the West building and skipped on over to modernity. It was there that I enjoyed a short 1 O’Clock concert for Ballet Mécanique before entering. Dada was everything I thought it would be, but more – I saw footage of WWI battles and children with gas masks on. It was frightening, but still beautiful to look at. The collages, paintings, and murals were not as avant garde as you may believe. The readymades, posters, and sculptures were simple, but their stories were thought-provoking to say the least.
After seeing Dada, I made my way to the gift shop and cafe in the basement. I ate in the cafeteria alone and in the back corner, near a waterfall. I felt relaxed and eager to enjoy my 8 dollar salad and 3 dollar bottle of filtered tap water. There were clicks of kids and small groups of elderly woman, all of which reminded me of cafeteria life back in high school. I wanted to shout, “sit with me, sit here,” But I didn’t feel cool enough to sit with anyone today. I just ate my lunch and carried my tired feet on back to the Metro stop outside.
After a few observations and a brief walk, I rode the Metro north to the Green line and fell out at The National Zoo. I saw no lions, no tigers – but I did see bears! Yes, the much talked about Panda family – all 3 Chinese bears made an appearance on this bright, warm afternoon. What else? I saw a Giraffe, Baby Cheetah, 20-year-old gray Kangaroo, Zebra, two Elephants, Hippopotamus, a Sea Lion doing the backstroke, and a few giant Bald Eagles (Yes, the national bird of our freedom was kept in a cage, go figure) I guess that’s why zoos depress me – I hate seeing animals in cages or all locked up, I only went to see Pandas, but I felt like the others were calling me… “Please help us!” And so I had to pay my respects, say hello, and apologize for my fellow humans. I then headed back to Dupont Circle for a large coffee.
I met an old college friend later on and we shared a coffee and talked for a few hours. We met at this neat cafe on U and 15th called Love Cafe, right across the street from Cake Love. I guess it’s a Food Network place? At the Love Cafe’ there were some great pictures on wall:
WC Handy – Father of the Blues, Mose Allison – jazz piano and trumpet player, and a portrait of Stevie Wonder… They also had great looking baked goods, but I didn’’t get one.
I hadn’t seen Melissa for almost 8 years! It was nice to reminisce and catch up on each other. She looks good and quite content – I hope to stay in touch with my former WUNH colleague down the road.
DC is full of places to explore – there are many Embassies on New Hampshire Avenue. As I walked back down NH Ave, I overheard a young father tell his son he likes Spring the best “…because Summer is way too hot.” – and his kid says, “What’s second best?”
Second Best ??? Hey kid, don’t try for second best – you’ll just be disappointed. Do what you can and be happy. Gonads and strife run amock all over this town – so watch yourself, do some good and you’ll be just fine, no need to worry about second best – that’s the job of someone else!
I’m hooked on these sugar free skim vanilla lattes at Starbucks. I picked one of the 5 Starbucks in Dupont Circle and sure enough, I picked the right one – A loud, smelly man stands by my table and he needs a bathroom key. He’s eating, but dropping more ziti on the floor then in his stomach. A loud and vulgar woman grabs him, but not before he asks me, “Iz somp-wun in thah?”
I say, “I’m not the bathroom attendant -– I have no idea. But you’ll need a key.”
More ziti hits the floor as he rolls his eyes and stumbles back outside… and so night falls on Washington DC and it is time to meet up with Jeff and Rachael for dinner. My Aunt Priscilla roles into town in the morning… Ronnie in hand.
I’m trying to find inexpensive airfare to Europe for the middle of summer and looking forward to finally visiting another continent besides North America. It appears flights are cheaper midweek and by allowing various connections via London, Frankfurt, or Rome. The problem is the overnight layovers – which means a long night in the airport or an expensive hotel. If I can get the proper flights, my travels will take me to at least 3 countries – France, Belgium, and The Netherlands. I have some friends in Germany, Holland, and England – but time plays a major factor, especially when one hasn’t seen Europe and wants to explore… I’m looking forward to some time in Belgium, visiting art museums in Bruges, drinking Delirium in Brussels, walking Amsterdam, seeing Paris, and spending enormous time with my significant other in southern France. It’s time to start planning… more to come.
