I suppose I should start out by saying that I haven't been a very good travel writer the past couple of days. I have actually been in Tysons Corner, Virginia since Monday evening, but yet here it is Wednesday night, and I haven't posted anything regarding this trip. Well, this is my first time on travel for work and the past couple of days have been consumed with, well, work.
Monday evening was un-eventful, not arriving until after five in the afternoon. Tuesday wasn't much better, though after completing duties for the day myself and a few colleagues grabbed dinner at a Peruvian roasted chicken restaurant, which was actually very good.
So tonight is my final night in the Virgina-DC area before heading back tomorrow. My meeting didn't break until nearly five o'clock, but after a quick breakfast a colleague and friend of mine, Mark, offered to accompany me and do some sightseeing downtown.
Now, I have been to our nation's capital before, but the last time was when I was eight years old. I decided that, since I was in the area, I might as well make the most of it and check it out again. Unfortunately, downtown is a bit of a hike from where I am staying, and 20-30 minute subway ride is required to get down there. It was already getting dark by the time we emerged from our metro stop.
This had to be quick, so we moved toward the Washington Monument, quickly paying homage before moving towards the WWII Memorial, which is relatively new, at least to me, not having been there in over fourteen years. Despite the hour, a number of tourists where out and about, and a babel of languages could be heard on the street and around the sites. We made a brief circle around the WWII site, and then walked along the still-under-construction reflecting pool that is going to run between the WWII Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, eventually coming to the Korean War Memorial. The Korean War site was what I really wanted to see, and it is worth a look. It is a neat design, with several statues of soldiers, apparently representing a unit out on patrol. Unfortunately, dusk was turning to darkness at a rapid rate, so we had to haul ass. We paid our respects to Mr. Lincoln, still seated up there in what looks to be a comfortable position. Sadly, he didn't get to see the end of the play (yes, I will be here all week folks). Having seen one president, we worked our way to the current president and every American's black friend (well, maybe not every American). It took us a few minutes to walk over there, but we eventually made it.....and it was not as I remembered it. I guess the difference was there were no throngs of tourists in the sweltering heat this time around, but rather some people who looked like they just got out of work and decided to have a look. We didn't dwell long but, at least I can say I went back and saw it again.
And that was it. We were both beat after a long day, and it was still humid out despite the hour. It was getting late anyway, so we made our way back to the subway station, concluding a very brief, but fun nonetheless, tour of Washington DC.
I have a noon flight tomorrow from Dulles to Syracuse. This trip went by quick, but it was a good time for my first official business trip. Hopefully the others go as smoothly.
See you back in the Empire State.
Monday evening was un-eventful, not arriving until after five in the afternoon. Tuesday wasn't much better, though after completing duties for the day myself and a few colleagues grabbed dinner at a Peruvian roasted chicken restaurant, which was actually very good.
So tonight is my final night in the Virgina-DC area before heading back tomorrow. My meeting didn't break until nearly five o'clock, but after a quick breakfast a colleague and friend of mine, Mark, offered to accompany me and do some sightseeing downtown.
Now, I have been to our nation's capital before, but the last time was when I was eight years old. I decided that, since I was in the area, I might as well make the most of it and check it out again. Unfortunately, downtown is a bit of a hike from where I am staying, and 20-30 minute subway ride is required to get down there. It was already getting dark by the time we emerged from our metro stop.
This had to be quick, so we moved toward the Washington Monument, quickly paying homage before moving towards the WWII Memorial, which is relatively new, at least to me, not having been there in over fourteen years. Despite the hour, a number of tourists where out and about, and a babel of languages could be heard on the street and around the sites. We made a brief circle around the WWII site, and then walked along the still-under-construction reflecting pool that is going to run between the WWII Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, eventually coming to the Korean War Memorial. The Korean War site was what I really wanted to see, and it is worth a look. It is a neat design, with several statues of soldiers, apparently representing a unit out on patrol. Unfortunately, dusk was turning to darkness at a rapid rate, so we had to haul ass. We paid our respects to Mr. Lincoln, still seated up there in what looks to be a comfortable position. Sadly, he didn't get to see the end of the play (yes, I will be here all week folks). Having seen one president, we worked our way to the current president and every American's black friend (well, maybe not every American). It took us a few minutes to walk over there, but we eventually made it.....and it was not as I remembered it. I guess the difference was there were no throngs of tourists in the sweltering heat this time around, but rather some people who looked like they just got out of work and decided to have a look. We didn't dwell long but, at least I can say I went back and saw it again.
And that was it. We were both beat after a long day, and it was still humid out despite the hour. It was getting late anyway, so we made our way back to the subway station, concluding a very brief, but fun nonetheless, tour of Washington DC.
I have a noon flight tomorrow from Dulles to Syracuse. This trip went by quick, but it was a good time for my first official business trip. Hopefully the others go as smoothly.
See you back in the Empire State.
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