THE METRO STATION IS THE WAY TO DC'S MINISTRY OF MAGIC!

Even though I was freaking out that I probably wasn't going to ever get my ticket to get to DC, Turner shows up and my stress finally calms down. Of course I get patted down at security, I mean what's new? As we finally depart Nashville at 6:45 in the morning, I can see myself "immersing into the metapahysical world beyond reality as the plane submerses above the clouds." (as Dr. Jager would say). I've been to Washington DC 2 times before, but never have I gotten there in an hour. Well done Southwest- free bag check-ins, peanuts, AND fast speed! After getting my luggage, I finally got to begin my second favorite city in the US (behind Chicago)- WASHINGTON DC!

Our driver begins putting our luggage in the van, and the first thing I see is a man running outside of the airport chasing a bus full force, with luggage- SPEECHLESS. His persistence really woke me up, and our 30 minute drive into DC was unreal after that. As we pulled onto New York Avenue, I witnessed an "Elizabeth Taylor Hospital" to my right. Being the amiable person that I am, I asked our benevolent driver (John) what the "cute hospital" was for, and I found out it was an AIDS clinic. HE then proceeded to tell me that DC is not only our State capital, but it is also AIDS capital of the US. Again, I was speechless. After driving and stopping ever 2 seconds in traffic, we finally arrived at our hotel, the Best Western Inn and Suites.

After we all departed from the hotel, we headed way to get some lunch at the one and only BEN'S CHILI BOWL. It was so wild- Ben Cosby, George W, Danny Glover, and everyone and their momma had been there. They even had some bomb VEGETARIAN chili! Man, DC doesn't run these restaurants-these restaurants run DC. Getting energized, we finally bore the wind chills and made way to the American History Smithsonian, which was MINDBLOWING. Although I have been there 2 times before, I still enjoy each aspect of American history every time I go, particularly the post civil-war era.

Again, we split after that had finished and continued using those Metros, which is the exact setting as the way down to the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter, complete with pretentious men in long coats and hats ignoring everyone in sight and pacing at 30 mph down the escalators. Coming from the southern state of Kentucky, I simply could not fathom the sternness and fast-paced lifestyle of all these people. Although DC may run our country and be the State and economic capital, I simply cannot imagine rushing through the Ministry everyday to get to every thing I have to go to.

I ended the touring today with the Holocaust Museum, and with a pit-stop at the Dept. of Agriculture forest restoration center. As I walked into the Holocaust Museum, I was immersed in a somber atmosphere. The walk was filled with pictures and history telling the story of Jews in Nazi Germany with primary artifacts and intricate photography. Fate allowed me to meet a group of tourists all the way from Israel with Jewish heritage who spoke Hebrew. The acquaintance of these people made me realize the impact of history on society today.

As I end my day today with some chili Hunan chicken from a local, classy Chinese restaurant (who gave us fortune cookies AND super sweet oranges!), I continue to LOVE being in DC! As I here about the blizzard in my Kentuckian home, I appreciate DC even more with it's clear skies and patriotic atmosphere. The only cold chills I get here are the ones from disbelief of being in the home of our democracy with inherent American history.

A single landmark of justice and honor does not make a world of peace-

Secretary of War, Henry Stimson
Holocuast Memorial, DC

--POORVIE PATEL
Feb 9, 2011