Flashback: East Coast Roadtrip Pt. 3
Full disclosure: the reason we drove like mad, crossing state lines and city limits in near warp speed wasn't just because we wanted to escape the tropical heat in the south. We also had planned to spent Independence Day in Washington D.C. where we would meet up with a few friends. And the really sleek, yellow car you see here...this was M's ride during her time in the states. Our little buddy couldn't quite keep up with that.
But you don't want to drive your car into the city on 4th of July anyway, so we took the metro into town after breakfast. Although, we thought we were pretty early it looks like the party had started without us. People were already dancing in the streets (literally).
We decided to lay low for a while and watch the parade filled with marching bands, cheerleading squads, and other local heroes.
The land of the free and the home of the brave defied the heat with George Washington coming out in full costume and wig. The city was a sea of red, white, and blue. People cheered, sang, and danced everywhere. Even us somber, reserved Germans couldn't fight the good mood that was floating in the air.
At some point we gave up our seats and walked alongside the route to see some sights. We started of big by walking up to the White House. I have to admit, having seen it on TV so often in both newscast and fictional shows/ movies it was quite surreal actually standing in front of it.
The good thing about the Washington Monument is that you can spot it from almost everywhere in Downtown D.C.. Thus it provides excellent orientation when surrounded by a crowd so large you have no earthly idea where it begins and ends.
The major downside to the area around Constitution Avenue is that there are almost no cafés, restaurants or any other sources of refreshment. We were in luck as Independence Day meant a lot of people running around and selling ice cold water. Also, we found what must be the only café around had some ice. The patriotic way. Of course.
We continued our way up to the Lincoln Memorial. However, we were not alone. Word must have spread that it is the best place for cooling down and spending time in the shade around the block.
We squeezed in anyway and took in the scenery...
... and a picture with the man himself.
The view from the top of the stairs all the way down to Washington Monument.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial.
And the recently revealed Martin Luther King Memorial. It was only a few months old when we were there last year and it still made people pause and debate its meaning and effect.
Tidal Basin with a view of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
At the World War II Memorial we put our feet in the water in the hopes of cooling down a bit. But again we were not alone and to fight for our spots a bit.
While trying to came up with a plan for the rest of the day we were all desperate for some shade again. So obviously we lined up against the wall.
We ended up fleeing the street level and took the metro to Chinatown.
We strolled around and had some much needed frozen yogurt before heading to lunch/ dinner (I'm sure there is some fancy combination for those two that I just haven't heard of yet). And what lunch/ dinner would you have in Chinatown? Why, pizza of course!
With full bellies we made our way to the U.S. Capitol where there was a free concert in celebration of America's birthday.
Upon entering there were a few of those tents where they showered you with sprinkels cold water. We would have loved to stay there for a while but people behind us got a bit impatient.
Once inside we wove our way up the staircase to find the perfect spot and sit down (and in my case not move again for the time being).
Of course it wouldn't be 4th of July without the fireworks. They lit up the night sky illuminating all the memorials alongside the Mall. At that point even we got a little (read: a lot) sentimental. It was a once in a lifetime experience to observe the Americans celebrate Independence Day. We don't have that strong sense of patriotism in Germany so it was interesting to watch thousands of people wishing their nation a happy birthday.
Now, the concert, the venue, the atmosphere, everything was amazing but it all got spoiled a lot by the lack of drinks available. There wasn't a single stall or vending machine or anything else. There was a fountain with a queue that went on for miles. But chilled beverages? Not a chance. We were unlucky in that we had counted on there being food stands because anything we would have bought outside would have been hot tea not even half an hour later. Spending an entire evening without water in the heat wasn't just uncomfortable but pretty dangerous as well.
It probably was mostly due to dehydration that K and me had a hard time even getting out of bed the next day. So we stayed in our hotel mostly watching movies for the better part of the day only leaving for dinner with M. We came back in full force the next day when we made one final trip into the city (with our car this time which was still a mistake...it is impossible to find parking spaces anywhere in the vicinity to the Capitol) before taking our leave.
By the way, we now mark Day 6 on our adventure. I have given up on counting states and there is still sooo much to come. Next up: Baltimore.
But you don't want to drive your car into the city on 4th of July anyway, so we took the metro into town after breakfast. Although, we thought we were pretty early it looks like the party had started without us. People were already dancing in the streets (literally).
We decided to lay low for a while and watch the parade filled with marching bands, cheerleading squads, and other local heroes.
The land of the free and the home of the brave defied the heat with George Washington coming out in full costume and wig. The city was a sea of red, white, and blue. People cheered, sang, and danced everywhere. Even us somber, reserved Germans couldn't fight the good mood that was floating in the air.
At some point we gave up our seats and walked alongside the route to see some sights. We started of big by walking up to the White House. I have to admit, having seen it on TV so often in both newscast and fictional shows/ movies it was quite surreal actually standing in front of it.
The good thing about the Washington Monument is that you can spot it from almost everywhere in Downtown D.C.. Thus it provides excellent orientation when surrounded by a crowd so large you have no earthly idea where it begins and ends.
The major downside to the area around Constitution Avenue is that there are almost no cafés, restaurants or any other sources of refreshment. We were in luck as Independence Day meant a lot of people running around and selling ice cold water. Also, we found what must be the only café around had some ice. The patriotic way. Of course.
We continued our way up to the Lincoln Memorial. However, we were not alone. Word must have spread that it is the best place for cooling down and spending time in the shade around the block.
We squeezed in anyway and took in the scenery...
... and a picture with the man himself.
The view from the top of the stairs all the way down to Washington Monument.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial.
And the recently revealed Martin Luther King Memorial. It was only a few months old when we were there last year and it still made people pause and debate its meaning and effect.
Tidal Basin with a view of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
At the World War II Memorial we put our feet in the water in the hopes of cooling down a bit. But again we were not alone and to fight for our spots a bit.
While trying to came up with a plan for the rest of the day we were all desperate for some shade again. So obviously we lined up against the wall.
We ended up fleeing the street level and took the metro to Chinatown.
We strolled around and had some much needed frozen yogurt before heading to lunch/ dinner (I'm sure there is some fancy combination for those two that I just haven't heard of yet). And what lunch/ dinner would you have in Chinatown? Why, pizza of course!
With full bellies we made our way to the U.S. Capitol where there was a free concert in celebration of America's birthday.
Upon entering there were a few of those tents where they showered you with sprinkels cold water. We would have loved to stay there for a while but people behind us got a bit impatient.
Once inside we wove our way up the staircase to find the perfect spot and sit down (and in my case not move again for the time being).
Of course it wouldn't be 4th of July without the fireworks. They lit up the night sky illuminating all the memorials alongside the Mall. At that point even we got a little (read: a lot) sentimental. It was a once in a lifetime experience to observe the Americans celebrate Independence Day. We don't have that strong sense of patriotism in Germany so it was interesting to watch thousands of people wishing their nation a happy birthday.
Now, the concert, the venue, the atmosphere, everything was amazing but it all got spoiled a lot by the lack of drinks available. There wasn't a single stall or vending machine or anything else. There was a fountain with a queue that went on for miles. But chilled beverages? Not a chance. We were unlucky in that we had counted on there being food stands because anything we would have bought outside would have been hot tea not even half an hour later. Spending an entire evening without water in the heat wasn't just uncomfortable but pretty dangerous as well.
It probably was mostly due to dehydration that K and me had a hard time even getting out of bed the next day. So we stayed in our hotel mostly watching movies for the better part of the day only leaving for dinner with M. We came back in full force the next day when we made one final trip into the city (with our car this time which was still a mistake...it is impossible to find parking spaces anywhere in the vicinity to the Capitol) before taking our leave.
By the way, we now mark Day 6 on our adventure. I have given up on counting states and there is still sooo much to come. Next up: Baltimore.
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