Monday, September 25, 2006

BA in DC

I'm Dr. A, and I'm a blogaholic. Welcome to the latest edition of the Blogaholic Anonymous meeting. What is Blogaholics Anonymous all about? Well, this is only for those who are hopelessly addicted to blogging. If you're not, then stop reading this right now! LOL

As you already know, this edition is from Washington, DC. I did not get to see everything here, but I will take you on my short walking tour - all I could do in a few hours. Below are some reflections as I walked around the city.

White House: I wanted to come here first. Regardless of your politics, if you've never seen this place up close, you must make a point to someday. The first observation I made was all the people. Just to be funny, if I was President (yeah right, like that would happen), one day, I would run out on the balcony, and yell, "Hey! All you people, get off of my lawn!" Maybe that wouldn't go over very well. I tried to take a tour inside, but they absolutely did not want any cameras in there. And, traveling by myself, I guess I couldn't go in.

Of course, there were the obligatory protestors. Don't get me wrong, not belligerent, just wanting to make a statement. It was nice to see some cub scouts doing some cleaning in the park across from the White House - wonder what those scouts were thinking. As I went from the north lawn to the south lawn, I saw more people. Even people playing football and soccer, "Yeah, let's meet up Saturday afternoon on the south lawn for our game." Very cool.

Washington Monument: This was my first sight as I was driving into the city Friday night. It is as majestic in the daytime as it is at night. You really don't know how tall this structure is until you're at its base. I did not get to go to the top of the monument because all of the viewing tickets were already given out for the day. This a good point to see a lot of the other monuments. Looking north, you see the White House. Looking south, you see the Jefferson Memorial. Looking east, you see the top of the capitol building. And, looking west, you see the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial. I guess I should have figured it out, but all the monuments are national parks. And, what do people do in the park, they play sports. An interesting sight seeing people play sports with the backdrop of the monuments.

World War II Memorial: I've seen this on television, but have never been there before. It's definitely a beautiful place with all the fountains and all the people talking about their experiences during the war. I saw many families there and many veterans talking to their grandchildren about their life experiences. What a perfect location between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

Lincoln Memorial: The reflecting pool lies between the WWII Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. I even saw some airplanes in the sky above, as they go to Reagan National Airport. As I was walking to the monument, I imagined all the history that has taken place here throughout the years. Then, suddenly, I had my Martin Luther King moment. I saw him on the steps of the memorial and I imagined all the people surrounding the reflective pool. I had to pause - quite moving.

One of the things I didn't realize was all the steps to climb to get to the top of the monument. I realize I'm really out of shape, but I felt it was quite an achievement for me to get to the top of the steps. The first thing I did was look back east to see the Washington Monument, its image in the reflecting pool, and the capitol building in the background. Felt very patriotic at that moment, and a smile came across my face.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: In contrast to the WWII memorial, where there was a lot of energy and noise, this place was very solemn and quiet. People have told me this before, but it doesn't really hit you until you're there. There's no glitz; there's no glamour; just names on a wall. Kind of felt like hollowed ground starting at one end of the memorial and descending to its midpoint and then walking up and out of the memorial again. People left flowers. People used pencil and paper to trace the names of their loved ones from the wall. Powerful sight to see.

Capitol Building: I just had to take a break after that. I got some water and made my way back past the Washington Monument and walked to the Capitol. This was a long way (for me), so I found a bench near the metro/subway station. As I sat there for a few minutes, it was interesting to see the people come up from the subway station, especially the children, as they saw the monuments for the first time. I also noticed many international people in the city. I heard a lot of languages spoken, and you could tell that they were happy and proud to be here - the home of democracy. Americans definitely take democracy for granted, and that was emphasized to me in observing these people from other countries.

Final Stops: Continuing walking east, I saw the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court. I didn't realize the size of the court door until I walked up all the steps and saw it for myself. There were some students gathered in front of the Supreme Court building talking about how to effect change and the impact of court decisions. Who says American students don't know anything about how their government works? I finally got some food at Union Station, which is a fully working train station for those who do not know. As I was having lunch, I saw travelers rushing into and out of the building, much like an airport. I was so tired, that I took the subway back to the hotel.

For the visual part of my essay, I encourage you to check out my Flickr file and leave some comments as well. I hope you enjoyed a quick walking tour of Washington. I'm on my way back home later today. Thanks for checking in!

38 comments:

Dr. A said...

Before you ask, uh, no, that's not me. Just the picture I found on the search.

Sorry I haven't been around the last couple of days - been resting up and getting ready for this weekend.

Don't worry, I'm taking my trusty Mac laptop with me. Even though the location is changing, the blogging will continue.

Thanks for all the comments that you've left and the e-mails you've sent. I'll start looking at those and responding tonight. Thanks for checking in! More soon...

ladybug said...

hey doc!
i must have Grey's-Anatomy-on-the-brain, because i read that as you were taking your trusy McLaptop with you!

HA!
delirium has set in.
have a safe trip...

Anonymous said...

Have a safe and fun trip....:)

Kerri. said...

Enjoy your trip, Dr. A.!

Lea said...

Have a great time on your trip. I'm looking forward to your blogging from DC.

rdl said...

So now that you have gotten us(me) totally confused with that picture; you have to post a real one - anyone will do, from behind, hidden by instruments, whatever. cause now I am questioning your gender because of that picture - are you female or male? inquiring minds....

rdl said...

just forget that last comment. i just read your profile. duh!!

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

is there a ba meeting in dc? i'll host one when i get back to west palm beach next week. someone bring something salty, ok? i like salty things with the sweet stuff.

Anonymous said...

have fun :)

Anonymous said...

well now hope you have a great time on your trip!!!.... enjoy.

Anonymous said...

doc enjoy..nice blogging here

Mother Jones RN said...

Hey Doc, if you see any politicians walking around the Capitol, tell them that we need a National Nurse!

Anonymous said...

I understand that you will be forming a new trend called 'Fantasy Government" while in D.C. I would like to have a 1st round draft pick. I would pick McCain - Pres, Guiliani - VP, George Clooney - Sec State, and Homer Simpson - Surgeon General.

HVS said...

DC ranked 23rd on the Fittest Cities in America list..
http://losangeles.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=losangeles&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mensfitness.com%2Frankings%2F304

Which really doesn't surprise me,
a person can walk themselves to
death trying to get places.
Having said that-its still a really cool city + I love going up there..
have fun!

Anonymous said...

I'am waiting to see your pictures. Hey, I have an idea, before you post them, have someone take one of you so that you can post it as well. ...:)

thethinker said...

Have a great trip.

(And I agree with Cathy. You should post one of you as well.)

Jules said...

I've always wanted to visit DC. I think it's something all people should do once in their lives. It's just a hard decision to make when it comes down to "where should I do on vacation? To a sunny, relaxing beach? Or Washington D.C?" Yeah, guess what always wins.

Anonymous said...

Stumbled across you via the RandomBlogButton site, and reading your blog brought back memories of my holiday to the States last year. Part of my visit included Washington DC. We did the tourist thing and booked a guided tour on a trolley bus; the monuments and buildings in Washington are fabulous. I have a post on my blog dedicated to the awesome guy who led the tour. Happy travelling.

Dinah said...

You know DC isn't far from Baltimore, home of your favorite Shrink Rappers...have a great trip, call if you go crazy.

Dr. Deb said...

I love when there is a fullness of culture and languages around me. So glad you are enjoying yourself.

Anonymous said...

Off Topic but something you might know. I don't see one here but I was just wondering how in the world you put a "Random Blog Button" on your blog from Bestest blog of the day?

I joined there a while back but I don't see any way to put a button up? Do you? Or do you have to go to that site every time you want to use Random blog?

Bobby Griffin said...

Cathy,

All you have to do is place a link to http://randomblogbutton.blogspot.com/ anywhere on your site.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

doc loved the tour and pics! the v/n memorial always makes me cry, so emotional, you don't "get it" until you go there, right? your photo tour was wonderful. thanks for taking all of us with you. oh, the two pics i loved the most: the older couple sitting in front of the wwII memorial and the wedding at the w/m. great shots, a story in there somewhere, huh?

Mother Jones RN said...

Doc A:

I was down in DC today and I thought I saw you at Union Station. Were you the hot looking guy with the six beautiful women following behind you? If it was, it's no wonder you're having a good time on your trip. You looked very happy.

Enjoy your day.

Anonymous said...

wonderful tour... sounds like you are having an amazing time!!! good to see your enjoying yourself;)

Anonymous said...

Darn, I wanted to give you the tour of the Capitol building! I would have shown you some of the secret passageways, and the spot where they could hear each other whispering from accross the room in statuary hall . . .

oh, the word verification is "famgp" lol, I'm easily entertained because I usually get a kick out of those things!

INAMINI said...

Great description and lesson on Washington, DC. I would like to go there and see all the sites. The war memorials would make me cry; I can't handle war. Loved the pictures also. Thanks for the trip!

Anonymous said...

dr. A, i checked out all the 80 plus photos. they were all great, except that i never saw you :)

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

i have an idea, how about putting a paper bag over your head like the comedian that did that and taking a photo and posting it. then we at least know you EXIST!!! smile .........Bee

Julie, RN said...

Great pics, you got some mad skillz. No, seriously, you do have quite a talent with the photographs. I love seeing DC, having lived in No. VA years ago - all that time there and I didn't utilize it to visit everything when I had the chance.
Nice view of the Breezewood interchange, too. Stone's throw away from me. Not quite as interesting.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures . . .so, um, did you slide down the banisters??? ;o)

Penrick said...

Enjoy DC - I loved my visit there but it was much too short.

Fat Doctor said...

I wanna go to DC. I wanna. I wanna. I wanna go to the Smithsoooooonian!

ladybug said...

great pics, doc!!!
makes me wanna plan a trip to DC myself... it really is a beautiful place. thanks for sharing your trip with us and your thoughts...

ipanema said...

nice photos there doc.

JR's Thumbprints said...

Now I know why I quit the cub scouts--cheap labor doing lawn maintenance. Very well done posts. Glad to have you linked.

Lea said...

Great photos!! I reminisced about my running tour of Arlington, Georgetown and DC last year about this time! Marine Corps Marathon...Semper Fi!

Parlancheq said...

No Smithsonian?? That's the best part! And it's all FREE. At least it made it into the pictures. :)