Washington 2nd August 2016

Hi to All

Please note that this blog is my personal one and is not representative of the Fulbright Organisation in any way.

Arrived Washington 2nd of August. All in order re travel. Do you know how fast you are really going in a jet? Sure c. 600mph is fast but in relative terms I realised how fast this is when I saw another jet pass underneath us (well under!) between Dunedin and Auckland.

In Washington, we took a shuttle to the hotel. We were lucky to have a driver who showed us a bit of town on the way in. It turns out he was born in Guyana and knew all about cricket. We exchanged views and famous cricketers. Politics were also explored. The driver collected overseas currency as a hobby - so we left a 5$ NZD, thanked him and wished him well.

First mistake on checking in when we realised we didn't tip our porter. We made a note to make sure we dealt to this the next day.

On the 3rd of August we walked around the block and visited the National Geographic Museum. They were running an exhibition on ancient Greeks from Agamemnon to Alexander the Great. What a treat. It is sobering to understand human history and development. Markers in the mind were beautiful personal items of all descriptions and the ebb and flow of conflict and peace. I noted the years of foundation of democracy and the very human invention of the klepsydra or water clock. This was used to prevent advocates from speaking too long when presenting an argument. It seems that good talkers were also seen as a hazard all those years ago. Hit the sack with interest.

The next day we ventured around the city on foot. Walked a few km's and found a food store focussed on organic produce and local sources. Super spot with large deli for ready to go food.

Lots of humour from people in the store and on the street. I loved the banter: ' I see you lookin at me' 'What you want' ' No big game around here' (my hat looks a wee bit like Livingstone's!). The city is clean and lively, smartphones to the fore, wide main streets, solid large buildings c. 12 stories high, beaut small older buildings remain here and there, tree lined where-ever they can be put, people everywhere and a spectrum galore, its hot but few hats. Zoo tomorrow.