My first non-orientation day at my
internship was awesome. I sat in on a fascinating lecture, took oodles of
pictures, got to meet some really interesting, insightful people, and learned
the Russian word for traffic jam—пробка (probka).
I was at work from 8am to 4pm,
meaning it has now been over seventeen hours since I woke up, but my day has left me
exhilarated and eager to share my experiences and observations with all of you.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure yet exactly how much I can share for now, so until
I receive permission, you can look forward to playful behavioral observations,
new friendships, and some heavy political questions.
So for today, I’ll take you along
on my commute. It begins at six when I frantically scramble to silence my cell
phone alarm before completely waking my roommate, Mary Jo. Then it’s a full two
minutes of shivering in the shower, as none of the other students in my
apartment block have used hot water, so it needs to warm up (both literally and
figuratively). Then once I’m lobster red and somewhat awake, this morning with the
aide of shampoo in my sleepy eyes, it’s out and into a quick make-up and hair
session. Then a jump into my sweater and slack combo (yes, it’s at least
business casual every day), a quick fumble in my room for everything—purse,
badge, key, notebook, coat. Then out the door—oh! Forgot shoes, okay now out
the door.
Clicking and clacking down N street
to Wisconsin, I greet dog walkers and the occasional jogger alike while my
velveteen wedges hit the bricks, sending echoes off of pastel-colored
townhouses. Then onto the bus at Dumbarton and Wisconsin, for a ride to 7th
and SW Jefferson, followed by a rushed walk along 7th over the
National Mall to L’enfant to catch the shuttle.
“Good morning sir, good morning
ma’am, how are you doing this morning? Yes, I wish it would clear up. Oh, we’re
getting some snow tomorrow? Wow, better hope it doesn’t affect the
inauguration. Mind if I sit here? Thank you.”
A bumpy ride down to the Potomac waterfront,
and I have arrived. Through the scanner, “hello ma’am how are you doing today?
Oh, I’m just fine, thank you for asking. Have a great day!” Then up to my office
to learn what I’ll be doing on my first real day.
At four pm, it’s the reverse. A more
subdued shuttle ride, then a relaxed stroll across the mall to catch my 36 bus.
With no real rush, and protesting feet, sometimes even relaxed is too strong of
a word to describe my molasses-like pace crossing the wide zebra-marked
crosswalks of Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues. But my lead-footed plod
breeds remarkable prizes.
I look over the crowd control
barriers in one direction and could see the Capitol, in the other the
Washington Monument. To my left is the Smithsonian building, still beautiful
even in the midst of construction and renovations. As I continue, I take a
short detour through the Sculpture Garden, which has had its central fountain
turned into an ice skating rink where children, and one very graceful man, were
twirling, daring to skate backwards, and laughing in the cold air. A little bit
further along, a beautiful view of the glass-fronted Newseum with its prominent
inaugural-banners. And then across
from my bus stop, the imposing, statuesque National Archives, impressive
despite the bleachers placed in front of its four statues marking the future,
past, heritage, and guardianship.
This city is sometimes overly steeped in history, politics, and self-importance, pressing down the yoke of expectations, connections, and nepotism upon your shoulders. But it’s a certain type of wonderful to be able to take in global iconic sites during my daily commute. With such a connection to one of the hearts of today’s world, how could I help but to be rejuvenated, inspired, and empowered?
If it was hard to get the visual from my description, here are a few photos I took on my way home:
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| On my right, the Washington Monument |
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| On my left, the Capitol |
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| My favorite sculpture at the Sculpture Garden (lamp post not included) |
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| The National Archives. |
