PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES – WASHINGTON DC
By ABBY STARK
The air is charged with talk of political affairs and legislation. When visiting the various monuments or the Capital, there is an increased awareness of how important this city really is. Decisions made on the Hill span much farther than the boundaries of the District of Columbia, and go on to effect people in other countries. Upon the realization that the major shakers and movers of the free world are walking with you along Pennsylvania Avenue, it makes the city seem even more crucial and alive.
The professional portion of Washington DC is very apparent, but is not the only aspect of this vibrant city. I have been in DC for about a month on an exchange program through my university. Originally from the Midwest I expected a sort of culture shock - coming to the big city and all. Surprisingly enough I found it was easy to assimilate to life in DC. As long as you do not get in the locals' way when it comes to the metro during rush-hour the people are surprisingly friendly and are eager to help out, especially with giving directions! During my stay in Washington DC I have taken advantage of some of the great opportunities our capital has to offer. Here is what I have found so far...
Getting Around
The Metro is the lifeline of DC, making commuting to various parts of the city a breeze. I still find it amazing that you can go down to the metro in one spot, and after a two minute ride you can come up in a totally different state! (Depending on where you started from of course). Maryland and Virginia are both in easy reach; I guess being from the Midwest, where the states are larger makes this idea a bit foreign to me. The Metro is very tourist friendly, not only because it has an easy layout, but is cheaper that taking taxis and provides transportation, so a car in the city is not necessary. There is also a metro website that is very helpful. It stays updated with delays, it provides you with directions on which stops you should use depending on what sites you want to see, and gives you estimates of the time traveling will take as well as the cost of the fare
Fare cards for the Metro are available at every station, as well as bus transfer tickets (in the case the metro does not get you close enough to your destination, a bus surely will). For those staying the DC for an extended period of time I would especially recommend a Smart Card. A Smart Card is a plastic card, similar to a credit card, which you register under your name. It costs five dollars, but is well worth the investment. It has a sensor, so it is easily swiped over the gate, rather than the paper tickets that are fed through the gate. You add value to your Smart Card at any station, and since it is registered, if you loose it you can be reimbursed for the value remaining on your card. The cost of using the Metro depends on how far you go, and if you have to change lines, such as going from the blue/orange line to the red line. If you are not traveling during the busy time, 5:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., the fares are often reduced and can expect to pay between $1.20 - $2.20. Day and weekend passes are also available, if you know you will be using the metro often in one day.
The Metro system in DC is safe and extremely clean. There are surveillance cameras present as well as Metro Police officers. After each train has run its line, it is stopped and cleaned, which adds to the cleanliness feeling. You are not permitted to drink beverages or eat food while on the train. At first, I was upset with this - what is so wrong with a cup of coffee or a bagel on the way to the office in the morning? After my first ride during rush hour I soon understood. It would be a horrific mess if people brought drinks on the Metro. In the mornings the trains get pretty full. All seats are taken, and a large number of people have to stand in fairly close quarters. Holding on to the pole while standing is hard enough with the movement of the train - forget about holding on to a hot beverage at the same time. It would be horrendous if the person standing behind you had coffee and the train was to jerk, or break suddenly. If this were to occur, you would be the fortunate recipient of a free shower of coffee, you would even be luckier if the coffee was still steaming hot. After imagining a fiasco such as this, I understand why food and drink are not allowed. http://www.metroopensdoors.com
Union Station - No cover charge
There are many places that are central to DC, but I do not think a visit to DC would be complete without experiencing Union Station. Not only does the Red Line of the Metro stop in Union Station, you are also able to hop on the Amtrak or a taxi. Enough talk of transportation - It is worth going to Union Station just to see it. I admit it, I am big on architecture and art, but I think all would agree that Union Station is a magnificent building. It has an impressive history, once being the largest train station in the world. It was often the site of important events, and former presidents often welcomed other important figures (such as Queen Elizabeth) to Washington DC in the presidential suite (now renovated into B. Smith's Restaurant).
As you may find in many DC building, the spacious interior of Union Station does not disappoint. The ceilings are incredibly high and the floors made of marble are gorgeous. Not only is the design of the building impressive, there are many other things to enjoy. There is a movie theater, as well as many specialty shops such as Nine West Swatch, and The Discovery Channel Store Besides the marble floors, the thing I remember most about Union Station is the wide variety of food that is available. There is a food court
area, cafes, as well as restaurants. The assortment of cuisines is amazing - The Station Grill, Corner Bakery Café, Kabuki Sushi, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, the list goes on and on. There is such a variety that everyone would be able to find something to hit the spot when you have had a long day of sightseeing, the hard part is choosing just one! http://www.unionstationdc.com
Library of Congress - No cover charge
The Library of Congress is another must see while in DC. As with many of the buildings in DC it is difficult to adequately describe the majestic aura radiating in The Library of Congress. Like Union Station and other sites in DC, The Library of Congress is full of history. Guided tours are available, which help viewers to appreciate the art and many intricacies of the building. The walls and ceilings are painted and the floors are tiled in mosaics. The banisters are ornately carved and there are many statues positioned throughout the building. Each painting, statue, and tile has a story of why it is there and who participated in the creation of it.
In order to research at the Library of Congress a photo ID is necessary, and no material is permitted outside the building - meaning all researching is done in the building. Granted most tourists will not be doing research while in DC, but visitors are able to observe the racks of books and research area through a viewing center. Besides guided tours there are various exhibitions to see, the topic depending on when you visit. http://www.loc.gov
National Archives - No cover charge
If you are a history buff, the National Archives is a must see. Once again, located in a regal building, the National Archives holds the historical documents that helped shape American into what it is today. Articles on display were the Charters of Freedom, which constitute the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Other articles were also on display, but these are the most memorable. It took about an hour to circle the entire room. Well, an hour if you waited patiently in line.
In another exhibit room there was a display of the top ten influential documents. Between September and December of 2003 thousands of Americans voted on what they believed to be the most important documents that shaped America. Besides the Charters of Freedom, the Emancipation Proclamation, the 19th Amendment (the women's right to vote), the 13th Amendment (abolition of slavery), and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were all displayed, among others. Although the exhibits change, there will always be a significant part of American history on display. http://www.archives.gov
National Gallery of Art - No cover charge
Anyone who even slightly appreciates art, and is in the DC area needs to be sure to stop by the National Gallery of Art. It has a massive collection of art, held in an East Building, a West Building and a Sculpture Garden. Paintings in the collection are from various countries and spans centuries, some of the pieces are from the early 13th century. More recent works of art are also on display, such as pieces from Mark Rothko, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol, and Jackson Pollock, among others.
The East Building is mainly composed of modern art and has a wide range of works completed within the last 100 years. The whole lay-out of the building is intensely modern. The décor is simple; the walls are dramatically stark, yet do not distract from the art. The West Building, holding older classics, has a style that is more ornate and extravagant. The extravagant architecture of the building rightly represents the pieces kept in its walls. Early Christian art, French, Spanish, and Italian pieces decorate the walls. The decorative stairways and hallways add atmosphere to the space, making the building worthy of holding the colorful works from the Italian Renaissance as well as works from French Impressionists.
There is also an impressive gift shop. It holds a wide variety of prints (framed and unframed), postcards, posters, books, and other fun mementos usually found in gift shops. I found the National Gallery of Art to be one of the best sights to see. Its collection is so large that I would recommend giving it a large chunk of time - I went for a few hours on two separate days. If you are in the mood for a marathon of art and museum visiting I am sure you would be able to view it all, if you began your day early. http://www.nga.gov
History and Patriotism Draw a Crowd
By AIMEE PHIPPS
Some may say it’s too early to think about spring flowers waiting below the frozen earth or the summertime firework displays that brighten the skies across America. Though the days are not quite as long as one might like, now is the perfect time to make plans to enjoy the sunshine and the changing of the seasons in the nation’s Capitol in an unprecedented way.
Whether it’s the blooming of the Cherry trees in March or the awesome pyrotechnic display that electrifies the city in honor of our independence, that draws you to the city, Washington D.C. is nearly limitless in the activities and sites to see and do.
For more than ninety years upwards of a million people take part in the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. Set to take place March 27 through April 11, the Festival celebrates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from the city of Tokyo to the people of Washington, D.C. in 1912. If you are in town on Saturday, April 3, head over to Constitution Avenue for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade at 10:00 a.m. In addition, the Japanese-American Society of Washington D.C. will present the annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival along Pennsylvania Avenue on April 3 from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.. For more information about the Festival and a schedule of activities, visit the official Festival Web site at www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
Looking for the ultimate way to celebrate Independence Day? Grab a seat on the nation’s lawn for one of the best firework displays in the country! In 2000 my mom and my brother and I camped out all day on the hillside looking out on the National Mall and the Washington Monument, to maintain the perfect viewing spot for the evening’s festivities. It was absolutely amazing! More than 500,000 people take in the event.
Of course, Washington D.C. offers much more than Cherry blossoms and fireworks. There is history in every nook and cranny. You’re guaranteed to run out of time in the city before you have a chance to view everything. I spent a summer giving tours of the Capitol Building. There is literally a story to go with every piece statute, painting, and staircase. I recommend contacting the office of your local Congressman to schedule a tour of the Capitol Building. Often times they can also help arrange guided tours of the United States State Department, White House and the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. My personal favorites – the Korean War Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans Memorials. It is amazing how powerful a monument or even a few words can actually be when you reflect on why it is that that piece of stone is there.
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