Capital Idea!
May 16, 2008
In January of 1996, during my senior year of high school, I participated in Presidential Classroom. It’s kind of a nerdy thing to do for high schoolers who are into politics – which is kind of ironic since we couldn’t even vote yet, but whatever – but like blogging, it’s only nerdy if you’re not the one doing it. For me, it was the culmination of my involvement with student council, my staunch political views and determination to actually be a politician one day.
I should go on record right now to say that I doubt that will ever happen, unless I’m President of the PTA. My concern for the world dominated by Democrats and Republicans has fallen by the wayside, in fact, it’s fallen so far that I generally have no clue what is going on in the election arena unless it’s a presidential election year (and then, hoo-boy, I love watching the debates on television). Still, I’m only mildly aware of the candidates and all their campaigning. I mean, they’re just mud-slinging and making promises they can’t always keep and saying the same thing over and over and over again, and honestly, it’s not even the President that’s in control, it’s the Congress that’s in control over most decisions that affect our day-to-day lives. So, huh, I guess I should be participating in those smaller elections after all.
Anyway, Presidential Classroom is a week-long event in Washington, D.C., where juniors and seniors are invited to live in a hotel with like-minded peers from across the nation. I had roommates from Puerto Rico, the Bronx and Connecticut. We participated in mock-caucuses, roundtable discussions, toured the Capitol, met with our hometown congressman and state senators, and were generally educated about how our government works.
That trip is still my favorite memory from high school. I learned so much about myself, about the world, about our government. It was a lesson in history, in business and political savvy, in the importance of my voice. That trip was also the last time I visited Washington, D.C.
However! Next week Roger and I are visiting our nation’s capital for a few days. We’ve been researching and making lists and comparing lists and adding more to our lists, but we haven’t asked anyone else for their input yet. Everyone knows that the best way to get insider information about a destination is to ask someone who’s been there before. Roger has never been, and I haven’t been in 12 years. We're the type of people who like to do and see as much as possible, even given a limited amount of time. Which brings me to the point: if you were going to D.C. for the weekend, what would you do? Where would you eat? Where must we go? What gems can you share with us?
Otherwise, I’m kind of afraid that my 17-year-old self will try to give Roger a tour of our nation’s capital. And you know what that means, right? I’ll end up at the Mall dancing and singing along with a Jamaican band, just like I did 12 years before.
Comments
This post is an excellent reminder that I owe you an email about activities in our nation's capital. So I will be emailing you momentarily. What days are you going to be there?
Posted by: Heather B. | May 16, 2008 02:40 PM
Delurking to comment...my oldest son lives in DC and dragged me kicking and screaming to a place called Komi's. The kicking and screaming part was that it is a fixed price menu at 85.00 per person and in DC with tax and tip that adds up a to a butt load of money. BUT...it was a food EXPERIENCE. I have now been 4 times (each time I have been to DC) and it is worth every penny. If you are interested and want more info, feel free to email me. I'm an okie that spends time in your area pretty frequently and I know Dallas has some great places, but nothing that has ever matched this place.
Posted by: Roz | May 16, 2008 05:52 PM
Well, CRAP. I screwed that one up.
I'm emailing you tonight!!
Posted by: Emily | May 16, 2008 07:37 PM
I just got back. I highly recommend the hotel I stayed at, the Hotel Madera in Dupont Circle (which Parentopia Devra rec'd to me). It is small and has really nice design elements and free coffee in the mornings and wine in the afternoons, about $135 a night. 2 blocks from the Metro station. And on Sunday AM, you can walk over to the Dupont Circle farmer's market which sells all kinds of fab treats like gelato (I had lemon ricotta cardamom gelato for breakfast) and cheese and chocolate and scones...The Madera also has an excellent though pricey restaurant (Firefly) attached. Dinner with wine and dessert is about $50-$60 for one, but it is good.
The Constitution at the National Archives made me cry (go early before the line forms) and the Moon Rock at the Air n Space museum did too.
Have fun!
Posted by: Suebob | May 16, 2008 08:26 PM
Being a huge old history nerd, I totally love the American History Smithsonian museum, but it's closed until this fall. Alas.
I always really enjoy going to the engravery and watching them print money.
Have a good time!
Posted by: Janssen | May 17, 2008 08:53 AM
When I visited a friend there last summer, I viewed all the typical touristy things. But probably my favorite thing was touring the house that Lincoln died in. I love stuff like that.
Posted by: Kathleen | May 18, 2008 05:17 PM
I have never been to DC and I am envious. One of these trips you need to invite KT and I along!
Posted by: eddo | May 20, 2008 07:43 AM
I was just in DC 3 weeks ago for the first time and I packed more into 2 1/2 days than I thought possible. If you're going to do the mall and the museums, etc. pay for the Tourmobile. It's the only one that can actually take you through Arlington Cemetery and it then stops at every memorial (and Arlington Cemetery is amazing!). It also goes to all of the museums. You get history lessons from the guides as you go along and you can pick and choose where you want to go. And you get on and off at will. The bus comes by every 15 - 20 minutes, so if you want to spend an hour someplace, you're not getting left behind. Go for the 2 days pass, it's $10 more but you can't see everything in a day.
Ebbitts is one of the oldest restaurants in the DC and it's fantastic. It's close to the White House. I stayed in Dupont Circle and loved it - a ton of great restaurants, book shops, nightclubs. And you have to go to the archives. We stood in line for an hour (got stuck in front of a group of 70 eighth graders from Ohio) but that was about the only line we had to deal with and it's incredible.
Posted by: Heather | May 20, 2008 11:54 AM
JES! Take me with you, ah to return to my beloved D.C.
Ok you won't be able to make all the different locations of the Smithsonian so I recommend the Air and Space and the American History Museum (NOOOOO I just looked and this one is closed until the Fall).
Ok you have to tour the monuments. The view from the washington monument is worth the wait. Also go see the monuments at night, take a stroll through the mall and see the korea war monument at night only (trust me, it's better this way).
Go to the Capitol and the legislative buildings, stand in front of the Supreme Court and feel small.
Georgetown is a great area for food and shopping (pricy but hey it's DC).
OHHHH go to the Newseum and tell me all about it. I want to see this so bad and it's NEW!
Hmmm there's so much to do it's hard to fit it all in a weekend. Go, wander around, enjoy the vibe!
Oh did I mention I'm jealous!
Posted by: Katie | May 20, 2008 12:06 PM
Oh, I'm so jealous. I haven't been to D.C. before, but that area is so gorgeous.
I was a House of Representatives page for a week in high school. AND I went to Girls State. I never heard of Presidential Classroom, but it sounds pretty similar to those two experiences. Ah, memories. :)
Posted by: my life is brilliant | May 21, 2008 10:29 PM
OMFG! And you know why.
Posted by: eddo | May 22, 2008 09:50 AM