Washington DC is just a fun place to visit, no question about it. Museums (which I love) are of the highest caliber in the world and all within close proximity of one another. Oh yeah, did I mentioned that they’re all free? Great for the budget traveler. Food is about what you might expect…It’s fantastic. Ambiance? The feeling of historical significance hits you like a 2×4 when you walk the steps of the Lincoln Memorial or any other memorial for that matter. It always get me when I take a moment to stand in very spot that Martin Luther King delivered his “I have a dream” speech. Just incredible. The balance of architecture and open space is quite impressive throughout the district. Quite frankly, it’s visually stunning.
I’ve experienced DC a number of times in the past, but my fiancé (Kathleen) has not. It was really important to me that she felt what the political mecca of the world was all about. As I’ve been working in DC for the past few months, it was just a matter of convincing Kathleen to make the trip – it didn’t take long. I also invited her friend Tara to partake in the weekend’s festivities. They both braved the long drive and we started our excursions on a Friday.
My close friend, Joe, would essentially be our tour guide for the weekend. Not only does he have a heart of gold, he also has an ultra-convenient SUV that easily transported us around the city. What a blast! It might not seem like we experienced alot but I can assure you, we squeezed a lot into our trip.
It’s been over 4 years since I visited my former colleague roommate. It’s been a challenge with work and him living so far away in DC. He finally quilted me into making a trip as his wife will be having a baby soon. I believe his exact words were “You should come visit because once the baby comes, who knows when we’ll see each other again after that happens.” So…I hoped on a plane and made it over there for the weekend of 8/22/08. Both Joe and his beautiful wife Linda treated me to an amazing weekend. Site seeing, food, more site seeing, followed by even more food. I believe I gained 5 lbs over the weekend alone. Anyway, thanks for the hospitality guys and good luck with Kameel.
Highlights of the weekend:
1. Arlington Cemetary 2. National Archive 3. The Capitol 4. National Mall
5. Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum 6. Old Ebbitt Grill
7. Marrakesh Restaurant – Amazing atmosphere. Celebrity hotspot.
8. Filomena Restaurant – Great Itlaian…Bill Clinton and Clint Eastwood are regulars
9. Maggie Moos – Went there twice for ice cream
10. Top Golf – High-tech driving range that automatically tallys points per shot
Arlington Cemetary: On our way to the national archives: The Capitol: Marrakesh Restaurant: This place was incredible. 7 course Moroccan cuisine, all of which is consumed with your hands. Incredible atmosphere. This place often caters to the whose who of the political elite and celebrity alike. There’s a back room to the place that has a huge wall of pictures displaying celebrities that have eaten there. Such names include: Bill Clinton, Elton John, Brad Pitt, etc. There must of been over 100 people on that wall. I highly recommended this place to anyone in the area. Click here to learn more about the place. A few notes…The restaurant is situated in a very unusual area with a very obscure entrance. You actually have to knock so they let you in as there are no windows. Oh yeah, it’s also a cash only establishment folks. So plan accordingly.
An amazing belly dancer performance broke up the 7 course meal. Check out the video:
