Sights around DC
March 21, 2009
On Friday afternoon, on my way to drop off my case files to my new lawyer, I had to take a big detour to my previous lawyer’s office because he forgot to give me all of the files when I went there the day before, I realized that I forgot my cell phone at school. I had to go back, since it’s my only phone, as in I don’t have a landline.
On my way back out again I spoke to both of my daughters since both of them wanted me—in similar but conflicting ways. Older daughter wanted me for my car so she could hang out with a friend. Younger daughter wanted me as a driver to pick up her and her friend from their Friday night movie and hanging out. I managed to reconcile both of their demands, satisfying both of them, but not enough to make them feel that it was a win-win situation (which they probably didn’t want anyway), and not enough for me to feel successful and skillful.
On my way from old lawyer’s office I discovered that the directions that I printed off from Google Map were very precise, except the name of a street seemed to have been changed from the minute I printed out the directions two hours before to then. But I managed to figure out THEIR mistake and find my way to the road I needed, a feat I was very proud of. Just as I realized that I had made it and it was smooth sailing to new lawyer’s office, I looked to my right and saw the Iwo Jima Memorial looming very, very large. Through the trees I could make out the huge statue and I even managed a bit of rubber-necking to look at it from different angles.
As I drove along the George Washington Parkway I also passed and saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Monument. I even saw some cherry blossom trees already blossoming in preparation for the Cherry Blossom Festival that starts next weekend. There’s something special about living near important sites or monuments that makes you feel a sense of pride for nothing other than having that thing or place in your life. Its proximity somehow embraces you and raises you up ever so slightly from the doldrums of your life and puts you, even momentarily, into an historical perspective.
Are there places where you live that make you feel a part of history?
Iolani Palace...
Posted by: Pseudo | March 21, 2009 at 09:17 AM
I love love love DC b/c I love American history. I can't wait to take Phoebe there. I figured when she is 9 or 10 and I hope to go back several times b/c it is too much to cover in one day '
Here in L.A. we got nada. This town is too fucking vacuous
Posted by: Jessica | March 21, 2009 at 09:39 AM
I need to make my way to DC soon, for now that I am working with middle school I have really started to appreciate American History. As for cities, I am a native New Yorker through and through. This city has an energy that is like nothing in the world. For those who have never been here, and think NY is really some crazy, hard unfriendly place, I can tell you it is not. It's diversity allows us to be so much more tolerant in a gritty kind of way. It is hard to explain. In the past decade, the horrible historical event of 911 brought us into the forefront like never before. Yet, with that tragedy, NY revealed the side of itself that I have always known. We are a kind, hearty group that pulls together despite the world of difference that resides within this somewhat small island. As for monuments...well, just pass your local firehouse in any borough of NYC and you will feel strength, heroism and history in every fiber of your body. I LOVE NEW YORK:)
Posted by: Gwen | March 21, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Gwen, I guess you have to be born there. I went for a Broadway play which totalled a 12 hour adventure. It was chaos and I almost got hit by a cab in the crosswalk. It's not just the (maybe perceived) unfriendliness, but the pretentiosness of it's the best place to live ever irks me. I guess my short visit just reinforced the stereotypes, and my love of musical theatre is not enough to get me back there. Sorry, I realize that's not what the post is about...
When I was in college, there seemed to be tons b/c the campus has been there since 1785, though only recognizable to those familiar with the school. I guess universities are their own microcosm of pride and culture.
Here, we have the "Sunsphere" that commerates when the World's Fair was here. I think more people care about the 3rd largest college football stadium that holds 110k screaming Vols.
Posted by: Liz A. | March 21, 2009 at 12:54 PM
The Iwo Jima Memorial is my favorite to the Washington, D.C. memorials but since it is kind of out of the way, I feel it doesn't get as much respect as it deserves. Living in NYC where there is so much history is incredible. Sometimes it's difficult to find the older stuff when everyone is focusing on the bright and shiny stuff that crops up every five minutes.
Posted by: Dingo | March 21, 2009 at 04:00 PM
I love Washington DC. I spent two weeks there long time ago but I loved every minute of it. I feel part of history every time I go out into York, UK. He's such a beautiful historical place and I feel amazed every time I discover something new about it! Have a nice Sunday. Ciao. A.
Posted by: Antonella | March 21, 2009 at 04:05 PM
I just remembered our bus driver when I went to DC for a school trip. He was a Vietnam vet and had never been to DC. We all file off the bus, and just seeing the memorial as a whole overcame him and he started crying. We all just stood around him and said really mature and appropriate things, especially for 12 year olds. It's always a moment I'll remember. And we all followed him to find the soldiers he died with. Looking back, I still can't put it all into words, I just hadn't thought about it until I really thought about my trip there. It was a personification of war few of us had experienced at that point. Deep breath...
Posted by: Liz A. | March 21, 2009 at 06:46 PM
For Liz A. I'm so sorry that you had that experience in NY. It is not for everyone, just like a small town, or even certain weather conditions, are not for everyone.
I will visit DC soon. Your story about the Vietnam vet is really special. I almost cried as I read it.
Posted by: Gwen | March 21, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Pseudo, that's not just a marker to history, that is history itself.
Jessica, there's got to be some place where the priests set down around there. No Okie camps left? You must be taking something for granted, surely a campsite of the first actors or directors in Malibu?
Gwen, come down here! We will have a great time and also infuriate slime! New York, since I, too am a native, I have always found that it's not the history that makes the place but the present and the people who are creating it. But everytime I go back I think how much dirtier it is. Not good for a monument.
Liz, New York, like anywhere else, can have a bad day.
The wall, wow, what an experience that must have been. I've never been there with a vet, but have watched them there and been touched. To be in DC on the Memorial Day weekend is amazing, with all of the bikers in for Rolling Thunder. It gives you an idea of the immensity of the army and the commitment that the vets made to the country and each other.
Dingo, so much of the New York stuff seems to be hidden or in out-of-the-way places. Last time I was there I remember reading a small, dirty plaque about a church that was fascinating. Here in Northern Virginia you have markers all of the place commemorating all different battles. Apparently we are also leading in the number of statues commemorating the Confederate soldier. I passed one on my journey that day too.
Antonella, I loved walking around in England. Everywhere I went I seemed to discover another ruins of a castle.
Posted by: Laura of Rebellious Thoughts of a Woman | March 22, 2009 at 04:22 AM
I so badly want to make it to D.C. someday to see all of that!
I disagree with Jessica, though. There are places in LA that make me feel connected to history. The 110 is the first freeway ever, and I still get a thrill whenever I'm on it (partly because it wasn't designed for 70 mph traffic and I'm afraid of a major accident). I'm sure there are others, but I can't think of any right now.
Posted by: April | March 24, 2009 at 11:39 AM