Okay so I am really behind in blogging but I want to blog about my trip last month during fall break to Washington DC and Baltimore Maryland. Funny story, right after Marko picked me up from the airport, we went to a chinese restaurant with some of his friends and the girl next to us at her table was drinking and she started talking about Utah and the crazy mormons out there. She talked about Brigham Young, seminary and pioneer day and how we are all crazy. It was funny to listen to her crazy rantings.
Saturday October 10- Me and Marko went in the morning to the new museum called the Newseum. It is all about how the media has changed and how their documentation of current events have been documented. There was a section on the Berlin wall and how news documented the tearing down of the wall. They had a large chunk of the wall and it was interesting to see how one side was graffitied and the other side was blank. Also there was a very poignant display on the september 11 attacks. They had the walls covered with a cover page from every state of how they portrayed the attacks. They also had a clip about different media professionals and the things they saw, heard and took pictures of. One photographer died that day trying to get pictures of the events.
There was also a large portion of the antenna that sat atop the tower. That was unbelievable and hard to see. Later that night we went to Georgetown and walked by the White House. At the white house, we caught a glimpse of Bo Obama being walked.
That was fun. Georgetown is great. It is a great outdoor mall, with great stores in old houses and buildings. We went to the georgetown campus and ate at a campus favorite.
Sunday October 11- We started the morning by going to the Eastern Market.
Eastern Market is a large flea and farmers market. They have great things for sale and lots of great food. After eastern market, we walked over towards the US Capitol.
That day happened to be the equality march on the capitol. This brought a very interesting crowd out. Lots of rainbow flags, men in heels, and LGBT members.
There were thousands and thousands of people there. It was packed and a scene I had never been a part of before. I left Marko and his friends and went over to my friend Robbie's house. The ride on the metro was interesting as I was smashed up between these thousands of people. Robbie and I went to Roosevelt Island that night.
Teddy Roosevelt used to hunt on this island that sat in the middle of the Potomac River directly between DC and Virginia. There is a large statue in the middle of Teddy Roosevelt. I went back and hung out with Marko and his roommates after this.
Monday October 12 -I met up with Marko for lunch, but went to Ford's Theater, and some Smithsonians.
While I was waiting for Marko and Basim to come get me I had my first encounter with Greenpeace. We walked all over the city and then went to DuPont and ate at a Greek restaurant.
Tuesday October 13- I went to some Smithsonians in the morning and then Robbie and I drove out to Menassas, Virginia which is the site where the Battle of Bull Run took place.
The fall colors were awesome and it was very beautiful there. That night I went out to a Mexican restaurant with Marko and his friends for the last time. We just hung out and had a great time catching up.
Wednesday October 14- I had the opportunity of going to the Library of Congress, the US Supreme Court where people were standing on the steps protesting, and I got to go see the new Capitol visitor center. I went to lunch with Marko, and said goodbye.
That night I went and stayed with Robbie and we had the awesome opportunity of going to the World Cup Qualifier with the USA vs. Costa Rica. It was a downpour and I was soaked but it was great fun. The metro was packed solid afterwards. I couldn't believe how many people were packed in like sardines in there.
Thursday October 15- I went to the Natural History Museum. It was great. There was also a live butterfly walkthrough that was neat. The butterflies were rare and exotic species and they were beautiful. That afternoon Robbie and I drove down to Baltimore to see Zach. We went to a great seafood restaurant and then went to Inner Harbor. Inner Harbor is a neat place, but this time it was so cold and rainy I am glad I had the opportunity to see it in June. We had fun walking around and loved the Barnes & Noble there.
Friday October 16- Robbie left, Zach worked so I had the great opportunity of spending the day with Pat's brother Mike and his family.
They were great, we hung out, played games and they took me to a great Argentinian restaurant. Zach drove out and had dinner with us that night then we went back to Baltimore. They have this great indoor volleyball court, where anyone can show up and you play pick up games. It was so fun. I really wish Utah had this. I love volley and so does Zach so it was a great activity.
Saturday October 17- We had all sorts of outdoor activities we wanted to do, but it was rainy and miserable so we decided to spend the day shopping. Which made us both very happy. We went to some great malls that I wish Utah had. We also went to some great used bookstores. We went to Potbelly's for dinner ( my 3rd time that week, I love that place and wish Utah had one) and then went back to the Inner Harbor area. There is this great area that had a lot of great shops, bars and live music. It was fun to walk around there even though we were soaked. We also went to a record store and enjoyed looking around at all the music. We went back to Zach's and watched Hocus Pocus. It was a low key day, but gave us a lot of great time to enjoy seeing each other.
Sunday we went to church and just relaxed. I went to the airport and waited in crazy long lines. Then my roommate Amanda picked me up at the airport. I had an amazing trip. I missed my friends and was so glad I got to spend so much time with them. I can't wait to go back soon. I miss them already. The holidays wont come soon enough so I can see them.
