Delving into DC

By Jazmin Perez

After getting settled into the DC area, I finally got some sleep!  The excitement of traveling across the country, then actually being here made for some restless nights. Luckily, I woke up feeling fully rested after about the third day.

I’ve been making boxes and other helpful tasks for Nancy, along with assistance from Katarina, Lily, and Charlie (three of Nancy’s cats).

I’ve also had a chance to explore.  I stopped in to Alexandria, where I saw the Christ Church, which George Washington attended.  It was stunning, not only because of its beauty, but also the history associated with it!  I sat in the same pew that George Washington and many other presidents sat!  It was incredible.

I also had a chance to walk along King street, which has some amazing shops.  It also provides a different perspective on space.  In Texas, there is a lot of space, parking space, space between buildings, road space. Here it seemed that every inch of spaced was in use and every building is built up several stories.

I also had a chance to go with Nancy to visit the Potomac River, the City Hall of Alexandria, the Ramsay House (the oldest house in Alexandria)…

…and then to the Topedo Factory Art Center.  There, I wandered into several studios and gazed at many beautiful art pieces, and I also learned about the building, which used to be a torpedo factory!

Walking out of the building, I encountered a violinist, drummer, saxophonist…

and a stunning of view of the Potomac River.

That evening I met up with Ademide and some of her friends at the Marine Barracks Parade.

Attending this event at the home of the Marines was a honor. This is not an event that I would have normally attended. In fact I may have never known that this event was happening if it weren’t for Ademide, but it was a great event and I am grateful she invited me. I was fascinated with the synchronization of the Marines. After the event, we walked around the barracks to see the home of the Commandants, and walk around the neighborhood. It was the perfect ending to another wonderful day of adventures.

Outside of Arlington, I had a chance to see some of the cottages that were built from kits purchased from the Sears catalog, as well as several mansions in Arlington.

And more to the flavor of DC, I have had a chance to explore the capital!  The sun was bright and the walk was dreadful, but I was excited. My first stop, the Lincoln Memorial, was massive and magnificent.

However, I was surprised by the infinite number of people that gathered on the steps to have their picture taken. After admiring the memorial, I turned my attention to the Reflecting Pool…

…and the Washington Monument.

It was breath-taking! I had to make it to the other side and see the monument up close.  As I began to walk towards it, I stopped at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial taking a look at the wall of names, the Three Servicemen Statue and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.

Followed by another beautiful memorial, the World War II Memorial.

 

Then I stumble onto, John Paul Jones Memorial…and caught a glimpse of the Jefferson Memorial.

 

Finally, I made it to the Washington Monument!

I sat in the grass admiring the structure for some time, then visualized The White House…I had to get closer. So I continued my adventure, looking for the easiest path around the Ellipse and to The White House.

On my way there, I came across the William Sherman Memorial and the Treasury Department. Then there it was…The White House! I was standing in front of The White House. How cool is that?! Now I had to go around it and see the other side, but before I did I saw the Eisonhower Executive Office Building. Then I was able to get a closer look of The White House. My adventure ended with the Jack Sot Memorial in the Lafayette Square directly behind The White House. There is so much here!

It’s been an incredible first week in Washington, DC!