Washington DC, USA - May 25-28 2007

I have no funny story to start the email with :( I had an error free trip to the airport and to DC.  I decided to take the metro from the airport to my hotel, getting to the right stop was the easy part....directions have never been my strong point (and of course I don't have a map) so I ended up walking 2 blocks in the opposite direction.  Doesn't sound bad but it was 85 degrees!

Had dinner in a Latin type place, a few blocks from the hotel, which was rather busy. Now that the weather has improved everyone wants to be outdoors.

Saturday (May 26, 2007) morning started semi early with a wake-up call from London (thanks Rach!). After breakfast in the hotel, my first stop was at the White House. Certainly an impressive building both front and back. Unfortunately the President and First Lady didn't come and say hello, so I moved on to the Washington Monument which is surrounded by American flags. Its the tallest structure in DC, and is housed on a small hill. The views from here were great, and of course if I could get tickets to go up the top the views would be even better!

It was a very hot day but thankfully there were areas of shade around the city.

I continued along my way visiting the World War II Memorial, Reflecting Pool, Lincoln Memorial (great views which you will see from my photos), Vietnam Veterans Memorial which was by far the busiest and most moving. Korean Memorial, George Mason Memorial, the large and amazing Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (probably my favorite) then Jefferson Memorial. By this stage I needed to eat, get out of the sun and see something other than a memorial. The Holocaust Memorial Museum won my time.

After a lovely 6pm nap I caught the bus to Georgetown, which is where a large university is based. No prizes for guessing the name!! I was recommend a place by the hotel, which the trusty lonely planet book also recommend, so that was my first stop. I had a drink and starter at the bar. The bar people are certainly not as friendly as the ones in Seattle....or any other place for that matter! Decided I needed some friendly people so left there and found an Italian restaurant (doesn't really go with my no carbs diet!!!). The barman decided to just make me a drink, half a mouthful later I needed to hold onto my seat. The staff were all super friendly.

I found Georgetown to be a very multi cultural area - at times I felt I was the minority speaking English.

Sunday morning started slowly, and it wasn't anything to do with the drink from last night! I caught the bus into Georgetown and had brunch sitting outside. Wandered around the area seeing the C&A Canal and waterfront area. Took the bus to Union Station (train) which is huge and amazing!!! My photos won't do it any justice. From here my walking mission began. Let me tell you it was another super hot day, around 90 degrees. I had brought sun screen first thing to save a repeat of the day before. First stop was the famous US Capitol building. Most of you will know I love domes and columns so I was in heaven :-). There is a concert there that night so we were unable to get to close which was a pain. I continued along Constitution Avenue to the National Archives building. Another great 'column' building. This is where the three original documents upon which the US government is based - the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. I somehow managed to jump the quee without realizing it.

Next stop was the Natural History Museum, another huge and impressive building. I didn't think it was as good as the one in NYC. Still good to go and see the exhibits and of course be in air conditioning.

Dinner I had in Georgetown again at an Italian place. The food was amazing but the service was horrible!!!! (Quite possible the worse I've experienced.) I went to the bathroom and came back to my table being cleared, and the things I left on it not there. After a few heated words from me and the waiter and manager all was ok. My waiter came over and asked if everything was ok, as I was answering the manager walked by and said "just get her the check". As you can imagine I was far from impressed!!!! And the tip certainly showed that.

I headed off to Third Avenue, which had been recommended to me. It was a local bar which was great fun. Got talking (as I do!!) to the guy sitting next to me. He's never traveled outside the States which I found hard to believe.

Managed to get myself back to the hotel via bus just after pumpkin hour.

Monday morning was a little slow. I went to the area called Adams Morgan, wandered around there and had brunch. Its a smallest area with every type of food under the sun.

I then began another walking mission which took me back to the White House and Constitution Avenue where there was a Memorial Day parade. I kept wandered around looking at all the amazing buildings.

Had a very late lunch before collecting my bag and taking the metro to the airport.

Washington DC is certainly a great city with lots of history and culture.  The architecture is also amazing!

Next trip is to London and Lisbon leaving next week....no time for the grass to grow under me!