What can I say about this day! Words and pictures don't do it justice! I hope that everyday I am on this adventure,I say: "I am eternally grateful that I am doing this and I will not to take one moment for granted."(Actually,I hope to say it everyday from now on...). I was in the middle of DC on this glorious Spring day completely blanketed by a sea of pink and white blossoms. I felt loved, protected and overwhelmed by the beauty of those trees. You know how I feel about trees and I felt like they dressed up just for me. Anyone who hasn't seen this has to make a trip down here. It is incredible!
...Let me start at the beginning....I drive to the Metro around 1pm after working a few hours. I get to the lot and don't know how to enter. I finally figure that out, get out of my car and I can't find the entrance to the train from the parking lot. Along came Angel #1, Stuart. He joked about how well they hide the entrances. Well, you know I took Stuart hostage! He first helped me buy my pass. Can you believe it costs $5 just for the privilege of obtaining a pass? Only after you obtain it can you put money on it to ride the Metro. Oh well! Stuart also showed me what to do and what trains I needed to be on. He was lovely. We talked about everything from "Where's Donald Rumsfeld" to his daughter's wedding. How is that possible in a few short stops? It is and it was great! He had a meeting which I am sure he was late for, but he was a total blessing.Stuart got off the train before me so I was on my own. I am just glad I have no shame at all about what I don't know and was ready to ask the first friendly face what the heck to do next. Knowing I had to change trains I wanted to make sure I was going the right way so when I heard Angel #2, Linda, talking about the Holocaust Museum (because she worked there and that is one place I hadn't been and wanted to go), you know I turned around and asked for help. I followed she and her friend to the next train and they explained where to go next. All good.
So I get to DC, turn the corner from the Metro and am overcome by a sea of blossoms. I cried immediately and couldn't wait to get closer. I was surrounded by people from all over the world, who like me, were here just for the pure joy of taking in our Nation's Capital during this beautiful time of year. All I could think was "I can't believe I get to be here!"
Speaking of "all over the world", I had such a propensity for asking non-English speaking passers-by for information. It was funny after a while. I was asking visitors from another country which way Lincoln's Memorial was! Oops! Gratefully, one guy pulled out his map and somehow we communicated.
I took tons of pictures. I walked everywhere. I went to all the monuments, again. I never get sick of seeing them. I had never been to the WW II memorial and it really told the story. Each of these monuments tell a story and I could feel every moment. There is so much history and it was one of those times when I felt like a grain of sand on the beach.
I stayed outside all day. I got some great pictures and finally decided to lie under the trees for a while and take it in. I realized that no picture was going to help me remember the feelings I have about this experience.
At the end of the day, after finally going to the Holocaust museum (which was intense and another must see), I went back and sat in the park for one last moment. Our capital is filled with power,history, and intensity but sitting there with all the blossoms and the huge oaks that have lived through it all, it is easy to know Who is really in charge.
All I can say is take my word for it...whenever you get a chance, GO!!
No comments:
Post a Comment