As I have described before, going back to the same city is easier and comfortable. Going back to DC was much more than that. Everywhere I went I was reminded of the three weeks I spent with Patrícia there. It is where we met and fell for each other. From the moment the bus carried me back into the capitol city, the bliss of our early days surged back. I love DC. I love all the metro trains, platforms, escalators, bus stops, buses, street corners, monuments, museums, restaurants, food carts, movie theaters, and the infinite interstices where time stopped for us. I keep feeling like she is just around the corner.
I was of course eager to share the city with Eric. Not because of my experience here, but because it is a fascinating place to visit. I had not seen him for three months so the first thing to do was to load him up with trinkets from my travels: country flags, Asterix figures, Banania, etc.... Then I surprised him with Rollerblades of his own (and pads). The second thing we did was to hit the Washington Mall and see the monuments at night. He was very surprised to find out how far apart everything is because pictures tend to compress the distances. For instance, it is 2.2 miles from one end of the mall to the other.
The Washington Monument, or the pencil as Eric calls it, is cool at night. As a warning though, do not be tempted into standing on the steam vents at the base even if it is chilly out. Eric and I had fun playing with the swirling steam in the spot lights until a big burst gave Eric a little burn above his ankle socks. As mothers always say, "It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt." It was only a mild burn, but it was just in the right spot for his shoe to rub. I told him it was George Washington getting him back for calling his monument a pencil.
I think the Lincoln Memorial is best at night. The great man looks down at you, not dominantly or dismissively, but with concern. Concern for preserving the integrity of our democracy and our individual rights and freedoms we too frequently take for granted. Gazing up into that grave visage, I feel honored to be a small part of my nation's history. I may not make much of an impact, but I will try my best.
