Break with Monica (Day 3)

Alright, wedding behind us, now off to explore our nation's capitol! But before we do, we need to solve a very important problem: hunger.

Pupusas, a typical Salvadorian dish. Basically, it's stuffed tortillas (mine was chicken and cheese). It was pretty good!

DC Metro.

Our 1st stop in the Smithsonian (too bad we only had no more than 30 minutes). Don't let the appearance fool you, this museum has 3 floors and is connected to the museum facing it and the "The Castle" just to its right!

The Castle (the back part).

The Capitol

The Washington Monument and some of the Mall (walking/park area where just about all the Smithsonian museums are, as well as a few monuments and memorials).

The Reagan airport is really close.

I don't know what building this was, but I loved this hallway.

It was a lot of fun to play with this picture.

The old post office in DC (worthy of a capitol of a country, don't you think?).

In its original color.

Break with Monica (Day 2)

The wedding was on July 18 at 15:00 (3pm). It was nice; would've been nicer if I knew the couple a little better, but they and their families were very gracious. Many congratulations and blessings to Mariela and Edgar Ramirez!

In the car and ready to go.

Monica helping Mariela (the bride) with a few last details.

The inside of the church (stage).

The newlyweds.

Ok, now the groom is smiling.

The church the wedding took place.

Really? I know of Vienna, Austria and Vienna, Maryland; but I had no idea until a few days before that there was a Vienna, Virginia!

Now I miss (the original) Vienna . . .

Break with Monica (Day 1)

On July 17, my one of my best friends from Southern (Monica), flew up to DC to be at a friend's wedding the next day, tour DC for a few days, then return to Collegedale. We agreed to meet and take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time together (a break from our respective lives).

Monica flew into Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC. Her flight was delayed, so I explored the airport a bit. Of course, I did not explore empty-handed.

An overview of Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC.

I guess this helps to emphasize the "National" in Ronald Reagan National Airport.

One of the mosaic circles. This is 4 maps of Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware before they became states in the early 1700s. I'm excited to see the peninsula . . . you know, slightly biased.

Kinda funky. . . obviously got my attention.

A little interpretation on the 2nd level.

Another interpretation just inside from the courtyard.

The Original.

I went over to the older section of the airport and here was the old symbol for the airport on one of the gates.

A little museum/exhibition of the history of the airport and a nearby farm that used to be and the owners of that farm that was there.

Business with Pleasure

I thought I'd share my pictures from my trip to Silver Spring and Washington DC here; at least I have space and more flexibility here than I do on Facebook.

Anyway, I had my Visa Interview yesterday (July 6) at the Korean Consulate at 14:30. I also have a really good friend from Bogi who's working at the Ellen White Estate in the General Conference . . . haven't seen him since he arrived to this country . . . figured that needed to change.

So, he showed me around the GC, hung out together, drove me to the Consulate and waited with me, then visited a few of the monuments afterwards. It was nice being a tourist in my own country; especially with a friend. This was one of the best days I've had in a while.

The entrance to the GC . . . from the other side of the round-a-bout.

Yeap, that's the address.

I made it!

This was my first time driving out of Delmarva. I can navigate, just that 1st-time experiences can be really exciting and uncertain.

(I took a few pictures inside, but they didn't turn out as well as I thought. Better luck next time, hopefully).

How many ways can I interpret a ramp at the GC?

Reflecting pool

Walking up to the Lincoln Memorial.

Hey Stefan!

Playing with angles

Don't let the picture fool you; there were plenty of people there.

Close-up!

Playing with angles again.

From the Lincoln Memorial, looking East. It was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit that day; can't you tell by my face?

Timeless Atlantic

Well, I live by its coast . . .

Thank you again Stefan, for stitching my pictures together for this panoramic shot! (and editing while you were at it)

Curiosity got the best of me (referring to the editing).

The Pacific side

Most of the pool with the Pacific side

Washington always hovering over.

A photographer shoots out in front.

My best attempt to get the entire obelisk in 1 picture-no editing except for the black-and-white.

The work and help of Stefan and his photo-stitch program.

Under Washington's shadow (and breeze).

Jefferson Memorial

Western angle

Ladies and gentlemen, President Thomas Jefferson.

Wonder and awe, or observation and fatigue?

Well, I had a really great day and a good time. Sure, we drove around in circles for a bit (GPS didn't know of a few closed roads), I drove 5 hrs. just to get there and back, got home a little after midnight and didn't get to go to bed til a little after 1:30, but this day was totally worth it. I would love to do this again; just no idea when. We'll see.