Now We're D.C. Regulars

The Farmers' Market
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This morning the three of us set off to Eastern Market, a jumpin' little area with nice cafes and an extensive Farmers' Market. It was really hot inside the covered market which added to the Southern flair. After strolling past a collection of chickens' feet we picked a great baquette, some light greek salad and two pieces of cheese (feta and Danish fontina). We took our picnic outside and sat down just off the sidewalk; it was a nice lunch.

We fed the passing birds and dogs while we talked. From there we ducked into the open-air  crafts fair we had sat down next to. The large fair was was held on boiling hot tarmac but we weren't discouraged from rummaging through many interesting goods. I was excited to find two major vendors selling exclusively African art and furniture: masks, statues, jewelry and more. Other tents could have hardly passed for Sunday tag-sales, but their random assortment of items was interesting. For whatever reason, a lot of garage-sale type vendors were selling old Polaroids and Kodaks. We soon got our fill of the fair and headed off to the subway.

On and Off Campus Activities

Our picnic outside of the Market
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The Metro took us to Whole Foods on P-Street, an area we learned to describe as "on campus." Turns out, this refers to DC's gay community which is apparently small but well-defined. On the contrary, the Whole Foods was large and very busy; everyone was just taking refuge from the heat. We loaded up on some supplies and hit the road back to Lisa's via the center of DC's "campus."

Back to Lisa's to rest before dinner.

For dinner we headed out to Raku's in Dupont Circle, a casual asian-fusion restaurant. We were seated instantly despite predictions to the contrary. We ordered very well and had a lovely arrangement of foods which we enjoyed and ate far too quickly. Dessert was resisted, or at least deferred on the grounds that the Love Cafe would be a real command performance. What's more, the walk there would take us through many more interesting parts of "campus."

Some odd items at the Crafts Fair.
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Our need for the Love Cafe took us onto the major campus avenue called U-Street. We enjoyed the sights and eventually found ourselves amongst the Love Cafe's cupcakes, tarts and espresso. What the Cafe lacked in atmosphere and value it made up for in location and down-right taste. We left for the subway with laughs. Needless to say, we were sidetracked by a modern design shop for a few minutes; no matter. Back on the avenue, past some jazz clubs and bookstore, and we were back at the station to be carted home.