A Successful Conclusion

A belated report on the sucessfull conclusion of my DC adventures:

On Friday, my training concluded at noon and we enjoyed a casual lunch at a great little restaurant called the Stardust. {I liked the typewriters and old suitcases sitting in the corners. The mannequins, however, were a little creepy.)

After lunch I was free to make the most of a lovely afternoon. I took the Metro to the Corcoran Museum (my former place of employment) and enjoyed the familiarity of getting off at the same old stop, emerging on the same old corner and making the same old walk down 17th Street The security along Lafayette Park (in front of the White House) is tighter than in 2003, the beautiful Old Executive Office building is under renovation and my music source has been upgraded from a discman to an ipod, but so many other things are just the same. For instance:

5 T-shirts for $10
Gorgeous Magnolia trees
Cosi’s sandwich and coffee
Steam coming up from the Metro
Green copper roof of the Corcoran
Sociable mix of tourists and professionals
Pretzel man on the corner

The current museum exhibits included a good photojournalism exhibit and a modernism exhibit with many pieces I really liked and several that I really disliked. I will spare you the tedium of explaining the many pieces of art that I didn’t take pictures of.

After my tour of the museum and a visit to the office there, I made my way to the EPA–West building where my friend Shari works. We did a little shopping at H&M’s until we were able to join her sister Laurie and then made our way to the National Portrait Gallery. We only had time to see the third floor, but I’m glad we started there, because we would have missed the beautiful vaulted gallery space rotunda of the newly restored building.

I really liked this sculpture piece. (This is the largest of three pieces.)

And this over-stimulating map of the U.S. Most of the states flashed various pictures of scenery and cityscapes; the Idaho pictures were all of potatoes.

After the Museum closed, we made our way up to Dupont Circle for dinner. I had forgotten what a trendy part of town Dupont is. I don’t think I’d ever been on a Friday night; it was definitely the place to be. I don’t understand the concept of getting all dressed up for dinner on a Friday night—especially as trend in the urban areas—who has time to commute all the way home, get all gussied up, and then go back downtown?

We had to wait 45 minutes for our table at Lauriol, but the good Mexican food was well worth the wait. I ordered an El Paso Combo, and the waiter mistook “El Paso” for “Muscles”. Luckily the mistake was remedied before a steaming plate of muscles arrived, because I wouldn’t have been too thrilled about that after the 45 minute wait for a table!

On Saturday, my friends Wendy, Jocelyn and Jocelyn's friend met me at the Eastern Market to fulfill number two of two of my unfulfilled DC experiences. Jocelyn had an early haircut appointment, so we opted for breakfast at Bread and Chocolate, rather than the traditional market affair. I wasn’t disappointed though; who can complain about eating at a place called Bread and Chocolate?! We had some wonderful home-made yoghurt/fruit/granola and of course, the apropos hot chocolate.

Here’s Jocelyn and I at our early-morning finest. (I woke-up 10 minutes before I was supposed to catch the shuttle to the Metro, and Jocelyn was on her way to get a haircut.)

After breakfast Wendi and I wandered around the market. I was disappointed to learn that the vintage apron woman was not there that Saturday, but Wendi and I both found several good cards at the imported card booth, thanks to a recommendation from Jocelyn.

After the market, I stopped at Old Town for Five Guys and a thrift store stop, were I found a great little sweater and red leather belt. (I really maximized my time that morning!) After the quick shopping I hurried back to the hotel, stuffed the sweater in my already full suitcase, and caught the shuttle to the airport.

Thanks to all my wonderful MPA friends for a great DC visit. It makes me want to come join your ranks.