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It's still a scorching 92 degrees here, but I decided yesterday evening that that would not stop me from making the most of my time here, and today I braved the un-air conditioned world of the National Parks. I initially intended to head up to Rock Creek Park, but I ended up cycling on the wrong trail, so I went up to Bethesda and then further into Maryland. It was absolutely beautiful, although hard on the thighs - I worked out that I went at least 25 miles, which was tough on top of this morning's run (along the National Mall, where everyone runs). It's always fun to look at the other runners and find the ones even more out of shape than me and feel smug. I think this makes me a bad person, but never mind.
Yesterday I spent the morning touring Capitol Building, which is an absolutely incredible work of architecture. The tour guide told us all about the different sculptures and paintings and what they meant, and I learned all this stuff about the Civil War and the War of Independence (basically, the British are evil and the Americans are good). Then I went through the underground tunnel to the Library of Congress - didn't see much there, but there was an awesome exhibition of Gershwin that I checked out. I went back to the hostel after that to meet Maria and her daughter, Claire, who had finished at the Embassy, and we all went to check out the White House (Secret Service wouldn't let us that close, for some odd reason) and then to the American History Museum. I saw all the dresses that the First Ladies wore for the inaugurations, as well as the ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in the Wizard of Oz. In the evening I went to get a smoothie with Vijay, a grad student staying here until he can move into his apartment on Friday. We've been spending the last few evenings together, since he is a) a fascinating guy, so it's great to listen to him talk, and b) happy to listen to me ramble on about absolute rubbish for hours. Perfect. We're getting dinner tonight and then we're going to check out Georgetown tomorrow, with Manny, who is a volunteer here at the hostel and a really nice guy. Should be lots of fun!
All the federal agencies here have way cooler buildings than in the UK. The Environmental Protection Agency have this gorgeous stone building, and I'm guessing that in London they probably get, like, half an office block or something. Also the Metro in DC is way cleaner than the Underground has ever been. It's actually really enjoyable to use, and has (mostly) working escalators too! The grocery store I've been shopping at is called Safeway, which amuses me, because it means I can think of them as being like in England before Morrisons bought them out. A lot of stuff is 24 hours here, or close, and there's way more happening on a Sunday - the American idea of shortened hours is eight til six rather than six til eight.
One more thing. I am getting into a very bad habit of stealing extra breakfast from the hostel and eating it for lunch. I justify this by saying that I eat significantly less at breakfast than many people, and even with the food I take for lunch most people still eat more. Is this morally wrong or am I simply getting my money's worth?
I shall speak to y'all again through the medium of The Blog as soon as is practical - probably at least once more before I leave for Baltimore on Friday. Hope you're all having a lovely summer, and that you're not suffering too much in the cold (ha ha ha).
Much love to all of you. Brewster out.
- comments
Y'know http://www.tpsconsult.co.uk/tps/schal/surveying.asp?id=%273%27 Not quite.... Also. how can you not love the underground? Also: people in worse shape than you includes about 90 % of the population. Also. Love! xxx