Capital Fourth of July!

I have to admit, before coming to Washington the 4th of July was a holiday I barely noticed, let alone revered. But the 4th of July celebration in the nation's capital is nothing like the dinky celebration in my hometown. Plus, I got a day off work and didn't have to wear a wool band uniform. I braved the crowds, heat, and rain and spent the day at the mall in all its touristy glory, including watching a dramatic reading of the declaration of independence, a fantastic parade, and wandering through the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which featured Bhutan, Texas, and NASA. I also stood in pouring rain in a line that snaked around multiple blocks to gain entrance to the Capital Concert, finally staking a seat on the capitol steps to watch an incredibly gray assembly of performers, including the guy who sings "Great Balls of Fire."

Finally, as the sky began spitting cold rain again, the fireworks began and the Marine Band began playing the 1812 Overture. There are no words for the show- Just go see them. It was absolutely incredible.

If there were no words for the fireworks, there were also no words for the mass chaos as several hundred thousand people all attempted to exit the mall and head to the metro. I've never felt more like a local of the city than shuffling through the thousands of tourists trying to find the metro and figure out how to buy tickets and find their stops. My aimless wandering is paying off, and I was able to navigate a less congested way home, and after a quick bite to eat and cab ride back to GTown, collapsed into bed. What a day.