Back on 22 February I flew out to Washington DC for a few days just to take a short break from Seattle life. Some friends (Herman and Stan) were going and I flew out to join them. In this picture Herman and I are riding the Washington DC Metrorail [wmata.com] after I arrived at Reagan airport on Friday. (You can click these images for a larger view.)
As you may know I like public transit and I liked the Metrorail. The retro orange color inside the trains was odd, though. Plus the stations felt dreary and gray. Here’s a picture of a station I took before a Metro employee walked up and wrongly informed me I couldn’t take pictures (there is no such rule). I wonder if brightening it up in there would make it seem less gray, or if it’d just be a brighter gray.
One thing about the Metrorail I learned and find interesting. In the never ending debate of which wireless carrier one should use, I have yet another reason why I’m glad I choose Verizon Wireless. They’re the only carrier that has cellular service on the Metrorail. Everyone else either roams on it or has to wait until they’re above ground. I never really thought about it though as my phone normally just works wherever I go. Fun how one begins to take things like that for granted, kind of like electricity or running water.
Ok back to the trip. Herman picked out a good hotel that was located near Dupont Circle so was near all the good touristy stuff. It wasn’t far from the Metrorail so it made for a short walk after our ride.
We went to a few places on Friday night but we really went around Saturday. We went to The Phillips Collection [phillipscollection.org], the Smithsonian Institution [si.edu] (specifically the National Air and Space Museum [nasm.si.edu], the National Museum of Natural History [mnh.si.edu] and the National Gallery of Art [nga.gov]). Here Stan and I are standing with the Capitol building behind us.
Saturday night Herman and I went to dance club named Town [towndc.com]. The first floor played dance music that I would pretty much normally hear at Neighbours Night Club [neighboursnightclub.com] here in Seattle. The second floor had more of a trance style playing, and I was more at home on this floor.
After Town he and I drove around in a Zipcar [zipcar.com] he rented for a little while. It was nice seeing the area away from the hotel and touristy stuff. We were listening to some 80s station and I laughingly knew just about every song they played. Somehow when we were driving around I believe we wound up in Virginia but we made it back to the hotel in DC without a problem.
Sunday we casually strolled around the area before heading to the airport. Here I’m standing outside the Human Rights Campaign [hrc.org] building. (I’m a member of HRC.)
Speaking of HRC, we swung by their retail store where they sell shirts, bottles and such. I picked up a pair of jogging pants that I like lounging around home in, along with a track jacket (which I really like).
We took a taxi back to Reagan airport. There was only one other time I was in a taxi, and it was many years ago. I don’t really remember that experience because it was after my tonsillectomy and I was still out of it. In this taxi I was waiting for the door interior to fall on me as when I pulled the handle to shut the door the paneling mostly came off. It was really dirty inside, too. Next time I’ll opt for the Metrorail. I prefer public transit anyway.
After all was said and done it was back onto the plane. This was my first time on Alaska Airlines, and I must admit it was a nice flight. Yes, I could have gone on Northwest, but then I wouldn’t of flown a direct flight, and I still earn the miles at Northwest when flying Alaska Airlines anyway, so it was all good (4,600 round-trip miles, plus 50% Elite bonus – you bet I made sure I earned them before I bought the ticket). Alaska’s coach seats were leather and had a nice headrest, which was a nice experience compared to Northwest’s cloth upholstry, almost plywood coach seats. Luckily I slept most of the flight both ways, so that helps shorten it.
I wouldn’t mind going back to DC, especially now that I have a basic idea about the area. I really want to go back to Town, and I’d like to see and go in the White House. We did see the Lincoln Memorial off in the distance, and the Washington Monument nearby, and I’d like to visit them, too. Not much time in two days to do a lot, but I still had a great time and I’m glad I went. Thanks Herman for inviting me. 
