Should one feel slightly anxious when at 30,000 feet the pilot says very calmly ‘there is a major thunderstorm over DC and the airport is closed so we are being put in a holding pattern for about 45 minutes … BUT … we don’t have enough fuel. Everything is OK though we just need to figure out where we can land’.
We had a really good flight to LAX. Caught up on all the movies I desperately wanted to see. Oh my goodness that A380 is huge, but so quiet. Every now and then you need to stop to figure out whether the engines are actually going. But, at 560,000 kg I guess it wouldn’t stay up there long if they weren’t.
Well LAX was the epitome of total organisation (not). Apparently, as a cost saving measure, the US border control policy is now not to open until 7.30am and then just start with one single border control person. Well that is fine in theory, but someone needs to tell the airlines not to bring in three A380s at 6.15 in the morning and fill the whole arrival hall up with tired, grumpy Australians. After two hours of standing in line, we finally got through. The only bright side was a charming US customs officer who said to me ‘I hope you enjoy travelling with your sister!’ – I told him he was my new best friend.
We didn’t have any time to do anything but grab our bags, take them to the transfer section (not sure why you need to do that) and then walk across to the domestic terminal for our flight to DC.
After diverting to Baltimore in the blackest cloud, the pilot changed his mind and we finally touched down (skidded across the tarmac) at Dulles. All good though. We shared a ride in with a totally in control female. I love the way these gorgeous African American women just exude total confidence. Mister got the lecture all the way about needing to shape up or ship out.
We arrived at Laura and Raymond’s wonderful B&B in time for a glass of wine and the usual evening political banter. Lyds had the most organised case – all folded beautifully in rows and color co-ordinated – well US customs must have decided to repack for her – as what a mess she found when she opened it.
We decided the best way to beat jetlag was to walk –I think I almost killed Lydia with our short stroll. We left about eight. Walked down to the Lincoln Memorial – Lincoln was sitting majestically bathed in wonderful golden light. DC really is at its best in the dark. We climbed up and looked across the Mall to Capitol hill, that great white neoclassical building that just makes me think of Sam and Josh. Along the Mall and around the park to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – I really did expect to see Josiah Bartlett out for his evening stroll. We staggered back up Constitution Avenue and found the great Kramerbooks.
They claim to serve latte to the literati but they also do pretty decent Maryland crab cakes.
We snuck back into Laura and Raymond’s gorgeous house at close to midnight, and fell into a comatose state.
Today, after a delightful breakfast at the Embassy we caught the train to the Smithsonian. Hadn’t quite managed a trip to the ATM so we stood for ages feeding coins into the machine desperately hoping that my stack of loose change would add up to the US $4 that we needed for the train. I think the man begging at the station watched us and lost interest pretty quickly.
The elephant at the Museum of Natural History was standing quietly. He might have been out for a romp around the night before but he was back, well behaved when we got there. We visited the dinosaurs and our ancestors and then strolled the kms to Georgetown. Back to Laura’s and a civilised cab ride to what must be one of the most beautiful stations in the world.
Our train ride to New York City was very easy – so civilised with internet access the whole way. Our hotel is really comfortable and the location is great. Macy’s just at the front of us, the Empire State just down the road.
Tonight we wandered down to the totally serene Hangawi restaurant and after a truly gorgeous dinner are tucked up in bed with NY out the window.
Sleeping under the stars 