The necessary profile facts: I am a sophomore at Dickinson College, here slightly earlier than most as I plan to graduate early. With a double major in English and Political Science, I am a voracious reader, an avid people-watcher, and a cynical yet verbose psychoanalyst. Now a student in TWC’s Media and Communication Program, I will spend the next fifteen weeks interning with the Washington Business Journal, taking a course on U.S. Foreign Policy in the 21st Century, and generally enjoying various misadventures in and around the city.
If you’ve ever seen Passport to Europe, you’ve learned at least one thing: the view from your room is absolutely key to enjoying the experience - odd, really, as most of your time should be enjoying that which lies beyond the walls of your room, but important nonetheless. Thus I was delighted to find that our 12th floor apartment offers a spectacular view – even better, the view was of the mall located directly across the street. Location, location, location. Fifteen minutes outside of the city, and I’d say we’re off to a grand start.
Though most of the next few months will be spent outside of the apartment and actually exploring the city, it’s nice to know that I can enjoy it so thoroughly from the inside, too.
Something to learn quickly in DC: people know where they’re going, and they don’t stroll en route. You’ll learn quickly because you must learn quickly. It is a busy city full of apparently busy people [though frankly I doubt that they are quite as high in demand as they fancy themselves to be]. For instance, pre-emptive research yields more than once that, when on the escalator in Metro stations, stand on the right, walk on the left. Seems like common sense, right? Sure it is… but one doesn’t realize until they’re in the thick of it just how seriously taken this unspoken rule is. Beware, these city folk have no compunction when it comes to shoving.
The Metro, doubtless, is a spectacular place for people-watching… and for losing one’s bearings, but try to focus on the former and avoid the latter. Just as intriguing as the people, however, are their overarching actions, the understood etiquette of public transportation in the heart of American politics – rapid movement, stoic silence, swaying and speed walking in unison, avoiding eye contact. Welcome! Before you get too disheartened, though, keep your eyes peeled and you’ll be rewarded by small signs of humanity; the girl who accidentally steps out of her shoe and must backtrack and attempt to look calm and collected, the retired couples on vacation, the guy who gets flustered when his partially crumpled farecard doesn’t go into the turnstile on the first try. Don’t let the bustle fool you; this city has a large heart for those who take a good look at it.
…And what better, heart-felt welcome is there than a massive protest? None, I tell you! On our first full day in the city, we witnessed one of the most massive demonstrations I’ve ever come across. Speaking of Metro rides – try taking one brimming with pro-life protesters, bundled up in scarves and wielding massive signs and banners. Quite the experience, but I preferred the view from the top of the Newseum – which, in my opinion, was unrivaled as prime observant tower in such an instance.
The protesters (noisily) made their way to the Capitol building as the massive crowd wound back and spanned across the National Mall. Amazing view compliments of the Newseum balcony.
The Newseum, part of our program orientation and a means of forcing us to spend time together – luckily it was a success – was the first truly touristy activity I partook of, not including my temporary stint of being lost en route to TWC on Friday morning (warning: if you exit at Farragut West, hang a right). Saturday, however, offered a great opportunity to expand upon those typically DC activities. After wandering around the Newseum together for a bit on Friday, another Media/Comm. interns and I planned to spend the following morning together, little realizing that it would turn into a much lengthier outing.
Though Medha and I planned for a quick shopping stop, one touristy stop, and lunch, we ultimately snagged our roommates and spent the entire day out on the town, beginning at the Fashion Centre Mall, moving to Arlington Cemetery, then to the Ballston Mall, and finally back to TWC housing to make dinner by 11 pm.
Arlington Cemetery is a must-see, of course, especially on a clear day. Please, please do yourself a favor and skip the shuttle possibility – suck it up and walk. Believe me, it’s worth it. The best way to experience most places is, after all, on foot. The grounds are beautiful, they offer innumerable photo op.s and awesome views of the city, and the sheer serenity can only be experienced and appreciated up close and personal.
The amphitheater, located behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is just one of several breathtaking must-sees in Arlington.
Monday morning saw more orientation (overwhelmingly dull, truth be told, until the key note speaker), then yet another afternoon free to ourselves. I went the cheap,-slightly-anti-social route and headed back to the apartment for lunch, then out for a solo trip to the American Art Museum. While I love company, art museums are often best experienced alone – that allowed me to practice my intelligent-and-thoughtfully-
Tuesday marked the beginning of both the internship and the course, Wednesday promises my second tour of the White House, and Thursday will boast the Washington Business Journal’s Book of Lists 2010 Celebration… but more on all of the above later. Until then,
Good night and good luck!
