Left Laurel Maryland at about 9:00am and we were in downtown Washinton DC within 45 minutes coming down US Highway 1. We are staying in the Washington Plaza Hotel, about 7 blocks from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House, Dubbya's address for the next couple of days. Checked in with no problem, dumped our stuff, and hiked out immediately to see the sights.
Words fail me, believe it or not. The sky was crystal-clear blue, not a cloud, the sun bright and warm, no wind to speak of and no haze hanging in the air. The weather was, in a word, perfect. The city is a close second to London in terms of history, statuary, and impressive buildings. But, bonus, no crowds. Next week may be different after the election, but just now the wide and beautiful streets are uncluttered with humanity, and no traffic-clogged gridlock. Its a big bright American city, but with traffic and crowds like it is permanently 7:30 Sunday morning.
Every corner, every street, every building is a Kodak moment. Between Jan and I, over 700 pictures today. But it was a long and full day. The only negative, if there must be one, is that this nation is founded in war and that bias is evident in its monuments. The American Revolution, the Civil War, the Spanish and Mexican wars, the Indian wars, the first world war, the second world war in both Pacific and European theatres, followed by Korea and Vietnam. And monuments to the Army, Navy, Marines, and the air arms of the services too. And of course the police presence is palpable on the ground, and helicopters constantly flying overhead. Ultimately all of it just noise to tune out, but we noticed. The Vietnam memorial was moving for me, but I don't know why since I wasn't involved. It was just the war of my generation I guess, and it was certainly brought into our living rooms every evening by Walter Cronkite and CBS news, body counts and all. At the time I thought it normal, and a generation of American kids thought so too I suppose, and signed up. And now their names are on the wall. A phrase I remember from my University days: Fighting for Peace is like Screwing for Virginity, once you get started it is too late. Trenchant, timeless, and true.
Came into the hotel last night about 7:00pm, ready for dinner. The super-friendly hotel staff headed us off and told us to go into the lounge even though it was closed down for a private party. Turns out that the hotel was putting on a 'thank you' evening for the event planners of DC that have in the past, or might in the future, use the hotel for business functions or conferences. We did not fit that description, and told them so, but they said go right on in and the catering manager took our arms and brought us in and got us drinks and a round of hors d'ouvres. Nice. Met a charming woman, a conference planner like Leanne used to be, who chatted with us at length about life in DC, the election, and the economy. Her friends came by and chatted too, and we felt very much at home. The catering staff kept coming by with glasses of wine, and more snacks. Which we could hardly refuse now could we? I mean, we were just being polite ambassadors for Canada, eh?
Well lubricated by now, I went back up to a serving station to get some more Lobster Bisque, which had been recommended to us and lived up to its billing. I told the server that I wanted the recipe, expecting only a smile and a shake of the head in response. Not so. Ten minutes later the executive chef comes up to me, wearing his two-foot tall white chef's hat, recipe in hand. And sits me down to explain the quantities and the details of how to prepare it. I have found a new best friend. We now have two copies of the recipe, one annotated and one fresh, plus his business card and it is his expressed desire that I send him Pacific Northwest recipes and he will send me more soup recipes. Not sure how I will do that, but I will certainly try. Taken individually and in small groups, Americans are absolutely wonderful people.
