D.C. Trip Part 3: Musings

We enjoy going to different places and seeing how things are different. Our nation's capital provided us with a lot of things to think about.

First of all the traffic. There seems to be no rules at all for driving in this city. The lane marks are more like guidelines, and the street direction can change depending on the time of day. We've never seen so many lights in a traffic circle before. To park on the street, you have to check with four different signs to make sure you're clear to park there. That's not an exaggeration either. Oh, and j-walking is totally okay, and since there are so many pedestrians, you really have to be alert while you're driving. But, despite all the craziness with traffic, we were amazed how kind the drivers were. If we needed to get over, it was never a fight; the other drivers just let us in. It was as if the people all just understood how crazy and confusing it all is and cut each other some slack. There is a give and take and no need for compensation. It should be a metaphor for the city that makes our nation's laws. 

Second, pregnant ladies are a bit of a novelty. I couldn't believe how many random people would come up to me and say, "Congratulations!" At first, it took Brian and I a minute to figure out why they were saying that. One lady at the Korean Memorial even went as far to say, "Are you having a girl?" I was stunned that she guessed. When I responded in the affirmative, she said, "I could tell. Congratulations!" I rarely get that here, unless it's from people who know me and are feeling safe enough to say, "I didn't know you were expecting!"

Third, being a small town girl, I have a healthy fear of city people. In Vegas, you are wise to not make eye contact with anyone, and to stare at the sky the entire time. Most cities are like this. But in D.C., the people want to feel like they matter, so the safest thing to do is make eye contact. Be friendly. Tali pointed out that when she went to D.C. to do her student teaching, she was required to take a culture class, and that's what they told her in the class. Look the people in the eye. Maybe it was because we felt a bond to the Baltimore folks on the flight, or maybe it was because we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast and got to talk with people from all over the country, but I felt a great deal of humanity in this city. I can't wait to go back. 

Lastly, there is simply not enough time to see everything there is to see in Washington D.C. There is something for everyone. Most of the museums are free, which is pretty awesome. You walk away from the monuments feeling inspired, wanting to be more like the incredible people they were built for. And if you visit, buy a metro pass and make sure to pack some amazing walking shoes!