This last weekend, I joined Roz in Washington. The flight over was fairly hilarious as I had the pleasure of being seated next to some big burly Texan who thought I'd swoon and succumb when he told me that he worked for the Dept. of Defence as a contractor in Iraq and that he'd previously worked as a body guard for the Saudi Royals. He even offered to buy me a drink in return for my e-mail address or a drink in Washington - luckily the drinks on BA are free, as I kindly pointed out to him. Let's just say that the sardonic eyebrow was raised and after his attempts to win me over with dirty jokes, the ipod and book were bought out. Somewhere over the Atlantic he got the hint.
Saturday morning was rather chilly at -3C and all the snow had iced over. During the course of the weekend, Roz and I mastered the art of walking on water (albeit frozen). After a much needed stop at Starbucks, we headed out to see the White House; and walked along the Mall, taking in the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Congress and the Library of Congress. Great to finally see some of these statuesque buildings and I particularly loved the Lincoln Memorial. Roz and I kept having flashbacks from Forrest Gump and National Treasure. Stops at the FBI Building and Union Station also had to be made, although the former was rather unimpressive. After lunch at a Spanish tapas spot on 14th called Jaleo, we headed to the Washington Zoo to fulfil Rozzie's dream of seeing a Panda. We saw two gorgeous little Pandas and although they were totally pre-occupied with stripping bamboo for lunch, we were more than happy just to watch. Next up was a stop at Arlington cemetery, and although it was closing, Roz and I convinced the guard to let us have a peak at the 'standard' gravestones.
In order to get out of the cold and in the spirit of a more relaxed weekend, Roz and I then headed off to the movies to see 'Music and Lyrics'. Hugh Grant shaking his ass and the humungous size of the American popcorn, Coke and Nacho servings had me in hysterics. By this time our tummies were rumbling so we headed off to Old Ebbit's Grill for Crab Cakes. Sophisticated Colonialism with some groovy jazz made for a great evening. Sunday, we had a later start and grabbed some cream cheese and bagels for breakfast before heading into Georgetown. We took a walk through the harbour to glimpse the Watergate building before heading into the colonial Victorian part of town to hit the shops. David and Iain will not be surprised when they hear that we spent a bit of time in Abercrombie & Fitch.. And Urban Outfitters.. And Victorias Secret.. My bag was bulging on the way home, but I was smiling. Retail therapy always works. Off to Koblenz in the Rhine Valley this weekend, which I am really looking forward to.
Saturday morning was rather chilly at -3C and all the snow had iced over. During the course of the weekend, Roz and I mastered the art of walking on water (albeit frozen). After a much needed stop at Starbucks, we headed out to see the White House; and walked along the Mall, taking in the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Congress and the Library of Congress. Great to finally see some of these statuesque buildings and I particularly loved the Lincoln Memorial. Roz and I kept having flashbacks from Forrest Gump and National Treasure. Stops at the FBI Building and Union Station also had to be made, although the former was rather unimpressive. After lunch at a Spanish tapas spot on 14th called Jaleo, we headed to the Washington Zoo to fulfil Rozzie's dream of seeing a Panda. We saw two gorgeous little Pandas and although they were totally pre-occupied with stripping bamboo for lunch, we were more than happy just to watch. Next up was a stop at Arlington cemetery, and although it was closing, Roz and I convinced the guard to let us have a peak at the 'standard' gravestones.
In order to get out of the cold and in the spirit of a more relaxed weekend, Roz and I then headed off to the movies to see 'Music and Lyrics'. Hugh Grant shaking his ass and the humungous size of the American popcorn, Coke and Nacho servings had me in hysterics. By this time our tummies were rumbling so we headed off to Old Ebbit's Grill for Crab Cakes. Sophisticated Colonialism with some groovy jazz made for a great evening. Sunday, we had a later start and grabbed some cream cheese and bagels for breakfast before heading into Georgetown. We took a walk through the harbour to glimpse the Watergate building before heading into the colonial Victorian part of town to hit the shops. David and Iain will not be surprised when they hear that we spent a bit of time in Abercrombie & Fitch.. And Urban Outfitters.. And Victorias Secret.. My bag was bulging on the way home, but I was smiling. Retail therapy always works. Off to Koblenz in the Rhine Valley this weekend, which I am really looking forward to.
