Day 1.7: Washington DC ( Deija)

Day 1.7: Washington DC 

Hello everyone! I believe this will be the last post by me for this trip! So I guess it's time to say goodbye, but not yet, for I have to tell you what we did today! 

We woke up semi-early, at about 7:20 or so, and by 8 we were out of the hotel and on our way to the Washington Monument, from there, Lincoln Memorial. As most of you know the reflecting pool is in between these too, and Auna was really excited to finally see it. As we pass the World War 2 Memorial we begin to see what doesn't really look like the pool, and as we get closer, I began to laugh. I knew Auna was looking forward to it, and I though it was pretty funny that we happened to be in DC while it was under construction. It was a massive muddy rectangle. A pigs dream, but with construction equipment, and a large chain link fence surrounded the area. 

We arrived to the Lincoln Memorial a few minutes later and I walked up the stairs, cautiously, in my head singing the Batman theme... All things turned from joking to admiration when I stood there, in front of Lincoln, looking at him, his expression, his hands, his posture, everything, taking it all in. I walked to the left and read the Gettysburg Address, then to the right to read the Second Inaugural Address. I of course have read the Gettysburg Address before and actually remembered a lot of it, but the inaugural address was something that I don't remember reading, just a quote from it, and I was amazed at how it captured my attention, and I could only think of how amazing it would be to hear it in person. 

Afterward we made our way around to the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial, we walked across the street to the Einstein Memorial, and we sat there and had a small snack. 

Mr. March had told us how he had enjoyed the National Zoo the last time he was in town, and he decided to take us there. We walked from downtown to the zoo and immediately split into two groups so we could decide what to see first easier. Bree and I walked around together for the greater part of the time, and when we met up with Auna and March we ended up just leaving because both groups had seen either all or the majority of the zoo. As we were leaving Bree and I spotted a frozen yogurt store and of course we all kinda wanted some. It was hot and muggy and something cold sounded great. We all got our share and sat outside and people watched and spoke of what we could do before we were planned to meet up with my Aunt. She lives in PA, and decided to make the three hour drive to the DC area just to have dinner with us! Now, that may not sound too bad, but imagine that drive with 1.5 year old twin girls, and without daddy, who was working at the time. Props for Aunt Tracy! Thanks!! 

We decided on riding the Metro back to the downtown area and exploring a bit. We saw the Capitol building, and Auna and I went to the Holocaust Museum, while Bree and March went to the Museum of Modern Art. The Holocaust museum was amazing, we went through an exhibit telling the story of a ten year old Jewish boy, and it was from his perspective, from his diary! Everything was beautifully put together despite the subject given. 

After two hours, we went back to our meeting point and the four of us walked to the center of town to catch another Metro to a suburb outside of DC, where we would meet my Aunt and cousins. We arrived no problem, and it took us a little longer than normal to find the arranged meeting stop. When we did I introduced Aunt Tracy to everyone and we decided on Mexican for dinner. Which was definitely appreciated, I think all four of us mentioned at least once how we missed Mexican food during our time away, and it was great to finally have the option. 

Everyone conversed during dinner, adding the occasional, "No, no, Mommy doesn't need water all over her lap --- Oh, thank you...thank you, nice and cold." Afterward the girls ran around in a nearby plaza (with supervision of course) and after a bit we said our goodbyes. 

We made our way slowly back to the metro station to catch a train back downtown, and on this way, we happened upon a Borders that was going out of business. We stayed in the store for about an hour, but who knows, maybe more, maybe less. Everything was so tempting! ;) 

We finished our walk, then when we arrived back in downtown, we continued our walk back to the hotel. It was late when we got back, but showers were overdue, it had been a very humid, warm day. Apparently it was cooler than it had been in recent days, but we were a little bit spoiled with the cooler weather on the last week of the Camino, so this meant that we were warm. After Auna and I took our showers, we turned on the TV for a little dose of American television, ended up watching the Discovery Channel. It's Shark Week by the way! :) 

I don't remember the exact time, but the the TV was turned off and we were sleeping soundly. A nice day to finish off the most amazing thing that I have completed in my lifetime, so far.



So this is goodbye, huh?

Some of you I know I will talk to in the future; friends and family. But for those of you who have been reading the entries, whom I don't know, or see often, thank you for being part of my journey, OUR journey, and thank you for staying long enough to see the ending of something great. This experience has been amazing for me and I would like to think for Auna, Bree and James as well, and without our readers support, it may not have been possible. Thank You, and have a great rest of your summer! :)

ADIOS AMIGOS! (Extremely necessary.)