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TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
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On the Greyhound bus yet once again, this time headed south to the capital of the United States, Washington DC. This part of the trip wasn’t planned but then again, which part of my trip has? Anyhow seeing as though Christine was conveniently on a work trip to DC and being put up in a hotel, I found it hard to resist not to drop in and stay for a few days.
So shortly after arriving into the Washington DC Greyhound Terminal, I called Christine and she came by to pick me up with her friend Tu, who moved out here from San Francisco. We ate dinner at Pizzeria then Tu dropped us off at the Capital Hilton Hotel. What a classy, classy place, it sure reminded me of my travel for work days at Ernst & Young.
The next day I bought an Old Town Trolley Tour ticket from the concierge and went to check out Washington. The weather was a little chilly and it was the first time I had to put on some gloves since finishing winter in Canada, a sure reminder that winter is fast approaching and just around the corner.
Washington’s streets are somewhat laid out uniquely, they’ve got Letter streets running West to East intersecting with Number streets running from North to South then everything other street between these are named after the states of America. It was somewhat confusing at times but you could usually keep walking and find yourself on a letter or number street and find your way from there.
Now compared to Australia’s capital city, Washington has far more to offer including the lively Georgetown with restaurants and bars and retail shops that are open till late. The landmarks of Washington such as the US Capitol, Whitehouse, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial as well as the War Memorials are all within walking distance of each other. All of these were astonishing in which they were built and tickets are free if you want to visit them as there are a limited number of tickets handed out each day starting from 8.30am. But I was too lazy to get my arse out of bed so I didn’t end up visiting any of them. Free entries also apply to all the Smithsonian Museums. Christine and I ended up visiting 3 altogether. The museum of Asian Art, Museum of Natural History in which I found the history of the Hope Diamond quite fascinating, and the first ever Smithsonian Museum. So in that sense, Washington is pretty cool in how most tourist sites were all free.
Then the last night I was there, I ate dinner with Christine, Tu and a whole bunch of their friends at a Peruvian Restaurant called Lima. Then we had all planned to go to a little rock concert held at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Juliet and the Licks were the main act along Scissors with Lefty a San Francisco band. Christine was stoked to have got pictures and autographs from them. It was hard to wipe the smile off of her face that night. Having a few beers and rocking it out to rock music was definitely my way to end the trip in DC. The Rock concert finished at 12.30am and my bus left for Toronto at 1.15am. Tu dropped me back at the Capital Hilton to pick up my bags and I said goodbye to Christine yet again before rushing me to the Greyhound Station. With 20 minutes to spare I arrived in one piece but however with my mind spinning just a tad bit from downing 5 beers in the space of a few hours. Well that was the plan anyhow so that it could at least knock me out cold on the bus ride. But all I have to say is I should have drank MORE.
Ending my month long US trip from West to East in the nations Capital was fun, especially having Christine there to keep me company. But now I don’t know when I’ll see her and other family I have learnt to be related to and friends I met along the way again. But I will surely make an effort to keep in touch. So Toronto finally, here I come.
previous travel blog entry
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