I Could Live in DC

Much to my surprise, I could see myself living in the DC area. There is much to explore and experience... boredom would never be an issue. There are so many neighborhoods, each with a unique character. My favorite so far is the Capitol Hill/Eastern Market area (near the Navy Yard). It has a bit of everything.

Since we were rained out the first time we went to the zoo, we went back to see the pandas. It was late afternoon and most of the animals were snoozing. We saw the back third of a panda laying on his back with the top 2/3's of his body in his panda house. We were followed through Amazonia by a curious spoonbill who liked to have his picture taken. We stayed until the zoo closed and it was a peaceful almost mediative experience being in the zoo virtually by ourselves. It was so quiet.

We went to the National Museum of African American History and Culture this week. We were there for three hours and could easily have spent another three (it is on the list for a return trip). The week before last, we went to the National Museum of the American Indian and it is also on the list for a return trip due to running out of parking meter time before we were done. Both museums celebrate the beauty, cultures and contributions of peoples who were as much are part of the founding and development of America as the European immigrants and their descendants whose stories are better known. As a white American, I am so thankful to Congress and the Smithsonian Board of Regents (comprised of the Chief Justice of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, three members of the United States Senate, three members of the United States House of Representatives, and nine citizens) for creating these two museums so the full history of our Nation's founding and growth and the contributions of all Americans can be understood. Better late than never.