One of the brightest highlights of the trip for me was getting to reconnect with two of my Alpha Phi Omega brothers from St. Francis. Although we've kept up with each other via Facebook, I haven't seen either one of them since 1985.
After my Capitol experience, I walked to Union Station to meet Bob outside of the Barnes & Noble store. I thought that this was very appropriate since one of the greatest things about Bob is how intelligent and well-read he is.
Before we met, he briefed me about a change in his life, so that I wouldn't be caught off guard. It seems that he suffered from Guillame-Barre Syndrome about ten years ago and was paralyzed for 9 months. His walk is now labored and assisted by a walker, but his wit was as sharp as ever. We talked about our jobs and families. He has two boys, one of them has Asbergers syndrome. I was struck by the fact that despite the very serious and real hurdles he's faced since we last met, his optimism and joy for life is as radiant today as it was in our college years.
He talked with me about my writing, which is one of the things he remembered and admired most about me. Those remarks inspired me to do more of it. He now works as a research librarian for the Department of Transportation-- perfect job for me. He delighted me with personal Kennedy stories-- rides on the train with Rory and talks with her often. He also mentioned that he sat near Ted Kennedy often at Mass and shook his hand during the Rite of Peace. Wow.
I went directly from my visit with Bob to a short distance away, where I met Gerry in Chinatown. He took me to an Irish bar there. Again, much conversation about our lives and families. He's still very into liturgical music, as is his son. Other than the grey in his hair and beard, he looks the same. Laughed a lot about pledging Alpha Phi Omega-- a slutty gal in our circle (who shall remain nameless), hell night, air band, etc.). He works now as an IT resource for the FBI. Yes, he knows secrets.
It was so wonderful to see these dear friends and I'm looking forward to meeting their families on my next visit.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The DC Diaries - Of Government and Art
On Thursday, I once again took the Metro, this time to the White House Visitors Center. It was under revision, so it was being temporarily housed in a trailer. I was a bit disappointed in the gift shop. I wanted a tour but learned that you have to plan ahead through your state representative for it. Oh well. So I contented myself with just taking exterior pictures from as close as I could get.
From there I walked to the National Archives. While walking through the streets of DC on that day on on the previous days of my visit, I noticed that there is no frou-frou here-- no tacky shops of Joe's Chicken Shack #11 (well, maybe they're here, but I didn't see them). Everything feels important. Every building embodies a sense of gravitas.
The National Archives were beyond belief. I was thrilled to see a special exhibit on the Cuban Missile Crisis but bummed that I couldn't take pictures. Blown away by the iconic chairs that Khruschev and Kennedy sat on to sign their agreement. Saw personal notes in Kennedy's hand.
Then to the main room-- dark and cold and silent as a tomb. Saw the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. Talked to a security guard about conservation (the documents are shrouded in argon gas). He was very friendly and informative and I was awed.
Next to the National Gallery, which is in fact two buildings. It was massive and I was overwhelmed. I just saw a fragment of it (some Wyeth works) and chuckled a bit that they now have the Lichtenstein show that was just in Chicago. Couldn't spend a lot of time there because I had plans with friends that afternoon and I wanted to budget my time.
Next was the Capitol. Took an hour long tour with a group of about a dozen folks-- hailing from Poland, Australia, Latvia, England, Ireland. The tour guide was kind of bitchy and kept yelling at Ireland for straying too far. She eventually got tired of being treated like a child, so she took off on her own. Would've liked to do the same but I'm not sure it was an option.
The Rotunda was fantastic. I kept picturing Kennedy's coffin lying in state. It was mostly about the statues. I really wanted to see the Senate and House chambers. U.S. citizens need to go get a pass from their representative, but ironically it is much easier to gain entry if you're a foreigner. So me and a guy from Spokane became fast friends with a gal from Latvia (she's here for 10 months studying forestration) so we could tag along with her. Couldn't get into the Senate, but sat in the balcony of the House. Disappointed to not see any business being conducted (our tax dollars at work!). It's much smaller than it looks on TV.
From there I walked to the National Archives. While walking through the streets of DC on that day on on the previous days of my visit, I noticed that there is no frou-frou here-- no tacky shops of Joe's Chicken Shack #11 (well, maybe they're here, but I didn't see them). Everything feels important. Every building embodies a sense of gravitas.
The National Archives were beyond belief. I was thrilled to see a special exhibit on the Cuban Missile Crisis but bummed that I couldn't take pictures. Blown away by the iconic chairs that Khruschev and Kennedy sat on to sign their agreement. Saw personal notes in Kennedy's hand.
Then to the main room-- dark and cold and silent as a tomb. Saw the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. Talked to a security guard about conservation (the documents are shrouded in argon gas). He was very friendly and informative and I was awed.
Next to the National Gallery, which is in fact two buildings. It was massive and I was overwhelmed. I just saw a fragment of it (some Wyeth works) and chuckled a bit that they now have the Lichtenstein show that was just in Chicago. Couldn't spend a lot of time there because I had plans with friends that afternoon and I wanted to budget my time.
Next was the Capitol. Took an hour long tour with a group of about a dozen folks-- hailing from Poland, Australia, Latvia, England, Ireland. The tour guide was kind of bitchy and kept yelling at Ireland for straying too far. She eventually got tired of being treated like a child, so she took off on her own. Would've liked to do the same but I'm not sure it was an option.
The Rotunda was fantastic. I kept picturing Kennedy's coffin lying in state. It was mostly about the statues. I really wanted to see the Senate and House chambers. U.S. citizens need to go get a pass from their representative, but ironically it is much easier to gain entry if you're a foreigner. So me and a guy from Spokane became fast friends with a gal from Latvia (she's here for 10 months studying forestration) so we could tag along with her. Couldn't get into the Senate, but sat in the balcony of the House. Disappointed to not see any business being conducted (our tax dollars at work!). It's much smaller than it looks on TV.
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