Exploring Washington D.C.: Travelogue by David Biblis

In May, 2010 I spent 10 days in the Nation's Capitol exploring and understanding as much as I could about it while I had the chance to stay here.

Although all of my journeys were alone, I tried to develop my self-directed learning skills while I explored. I only had a few days to roam around, and I wanted to get as much in as possible. I visited many locations and took notes about the neighborhoods that intrigued me the most. Below are six brief reflections of how I felt about these areas of interest and my lasting impressions of them.

The White House/ Lafayette Park

You should not come to visit Washington D.C. without strolling through famous Lafayette Park and experiencing the White house up close. Lafayette Park, or formerly called "President's Park", was originally connected to the white house up until 1804, when President Thomas Jefferson had Pennsylvania Avenue cut through it separating them. Aside from its beautiful landscape, the park now holds five memorial statues including former President Andrew Jackson, and the four foreign Revolutionary War hero’s, such as Marquis de Lafayette. The atmosphere in the park is calm, but filled with tourists. Some people just sat in the grass enjoying the view of the white house in front of them. While others, like myself, would pass through and look at the statues and tried to understand the history behind it all. It is definitely one of the most stunning parks that I have ever walked through.

When I finally made my way through the Park, I tried to cross Pennsylvania Avenue to get even closer to the White house. However, it seemed as if I came at the wrong time. Police men were in abundance, and were yelling for people to please clear that side of the road and to exit the street. This caught my attention because I wanted to know why they had to clear the premises. I also knew that it was a perfect opportunity to take pictures of the President’s residence without having hundreds of tourists on the gate. I never did find out why the public was backed off the streets, but assumed that someone of importance was either leaving or entering the White house. Pictures do not give the White house justice of its beauty. It is just one of those places that when you are standing in front of it, you almost see it glow.

China Town

I am one of those people that eat Chinese food three out of the seven days, so china town was right up my alley. The restaurant that I gave the most business to was called the “Wok and Roll”, which I found quite humorous. The food had everything that Chinese takeout from Pennsylvania does not. No matter what I ordered I found that they not only made it good but different. By different of course I mean the way it should be. The food was so authentic that I am afraid to go back to my favorite buffet back home, because I might not find it as appealing after eating the real deal. I visited China town several times for lunch during my stay in D.C. and each time I went, I learned new things. I have been there years ago, but was too young to make any informed cultural observations about it. This small area was once the core of Washington’s Chinese community. However, overtime this district has been renovated and now has a pleasant selection of bars, stores, and vibrant eating establishments. I even found a bar that served beers from all over the world. The picture shown above is "friendship archway", which is why I chose to take the picture with a newly found friend here in Washington. The archway was built in 1986, and it was paid for by the city of Beijing. The arch has several lavish tile roofs, and is decorated with many painted dragons (Gilabrand, 2007). China Town is also where you will find the Verizon Center, which is home to the NHL''s Capitals, NBA''s Wizards, and WNBA''s Mystics.

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is known for having the Capitol building and the highest residential community than any other district in D.C. Everything in Capitol Hill is very fulsome, and you almost know when you are there by merely looking around at the architecture. Residents of Capitol Hill include Members of Congress and their staff, lobbyists and journalists, and senators. So you know they are ritzy, upscale and pristine. Union Station is located nearby, providing plenty of options for shopping and dining. This area is crammed with cultural and historical activities including the Folger Shakespeare Library, Library of Congress, Senate and House office buildings, and the Woodrow Wilson Aquatic Center. The houses in this district definitely do not look like the typical modern day home. They are very regal and have an early 1800’s feeling to them. After visiting this neighborhood, I have come to the conclusion that it has the potential of being my future place of residence. If you have a job in Washington, this is the place for you because it is so conveniently located to everything.

Dupont

Being close to everything is kind of imperative in Washington D.C. Because of the traffic, people mostly walk or take the metro. Dupont literally is like a small city within a city. One of the things to see while in Dupont is the Memorial Fountain located in the heart of the traffic circle. This little park is mainly used for relaxing and enjoying the graceful atmosphere that it has to offer. While I was there I found that many people play chess there. As a matter of fact there were several built in chess tables on site and all were being occupied by old men and what seemed to be homeless

people. As I got closer to the Memorial Fountain I noticed a man that resembled Samuel L. Jackson, playing an acoustic guitar for money. I decided that it was a perfect opportunity for a picture so I took out my camera and snapped a few shots. It was at this point that I started looking around for other interesting things to take pictures of, and to my surprise there were interesting things everywhere. So much so, that I snapped over 300 photographs just in the Traffic Circle Park alone. This was surely one of my favorite districts that I visited while in Washington.

Lincoln Memorial/Washington Monument/ Reflecting pool

Walking from the Washington monument to the Lincoln memorial with the reflection pool and the war memorials in between is absolutely stunning. Besides for a few group organized sports events being held on the Washington Memorial field, everyone in this general area seemed to be a tourist. When traveling westbound, the first thing you will see is the Washington Monument. The Washington Monument is an obelisk (a tall, narrow, four-sided, tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top) near the west end of the National Mall. It was built to honor the first U.S. president, General George Washington. The monument is made of marble, granite, and sandstone. While I was t the monument I did not realize that it was of two different shades. When I got home I started looking at my pictures and wondered if I had done something wrong to produce this dual color on the monument. However I was informed that it was started in 1848 but construction was delayed for many years due to the war. When they finally began to finish the production of it, the original quarry that was used for material was gone. The monument is both the world's tallest stone structure and the world's tallest obelisk.

Continuing west you will walk past the World War II memorial to find the Reflecting Pool, and the Lincoln Memorial. There is not one spot in this area that didn’t take my breath away. It was very cool to see the Washington Monument being reflected in the giant pool designed by Henry Bacon and constructed in 1922/23. I took many pictures of the Monument reflecting, and was pleased with most shots. Out of all the locations visited I would say that I spent the most time here. Not only because of the long walk it takes to get from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, but because there was a lot to see and learn about these spots. It was the last spot I visited while staying in D.C. and will remain one of my preferred locations for picture taking.

All in all I had a lot of fun exploring for a few weeks. I Plan to visit Washington D.C. again during the winter to capture its beauty with the snow. For some reason I really enjoy snow !!