March 8, 2006

• Random Thoughts from Travelling

  Yesterday afternoon we were
  in Washington DC and four hours later we were back on the farm. 
  That seems so weird.  At least to me. 

  Pete and I had a great time during our three days in DC.  He had
  meetings on Monday from 8 until 6 so I was free to roam around town on
  my own.  I took the Metro (subway) down to the National Mall and
  enjoyed wandering at my own pace.  I visited the National Museum
  of the American Indian since that hadn’t been open last time I was
  there.  It’s pretty cool.  Then I enjoyed the smell of damp
  dirt and the sight of thousands of orchids blooming at the Botanical
  Gardens.  Lunchtime found me at the National Gallery of Art – my
  most favorite place on the Mall (and they have a great cafe). 
  There is a Cezanne exhibit on that was quite amazing.  Sensory
  overload, almost.  I staggered through the Smithsonian Museum of
  Natural History for a short while before my legs started seriously
  giving out.  Needed a shot of espresso (and some Excedrin) to help
  me hobble to the nearest Metro station and back on the train to
  Bethesda.  Of course it was time for afternoon coffee by the time
  I got there so I stopped at a little French bakery for a
  pastry.   On Tuesday Pete’s meetings only went until noon so
  I just explored Bethesda until he was done.  We went to the
  National Arboretum and cruised around (not much to see at this time of
  year but at least we know where it is now).  Then back to the
  airport and home again. 

  It’s amazing how refreshing even a short little trip like that can
  be.  I always get lots of new ideas just by seeing new
  things.  I still hate to fly though.  On our way out of
  Chicago some kid let out a blood-curdling yell just as the plane lunged
  forward on take-off.  I almost fainted.  And we had the worst
  landing I’ve ever experienced when we touched down in DC. 
  Everyone on the plane was holding their breath and broke into applause
  when we finally wobbled to a stop.  I think I left fingernail
  marks on the armrests of my seat. 

  One thing I have to say though about being in public places these
  days.  I thought I was going to scream if I was forced to listen
  to one more person’s loud conversation on their cell phone.  I’m
  beginning to hate those things.  Everywhere you go people are
  talking on their phone and whoever happens to be around them is forced
  to hear their side of the conversation.  At one point there were
  three people around me all carrying on conversations.  Something
  is seriously wrong with this.  It’s like the worst form of
  air/noise pollution.  I hate having all those words cluttering up
  the air around me.  I suppose most people have honed the ability
  to ignore and/or tune out everyone else’s words but this skill has
  eluded me.  I use my cell phone, too, but realize I’m probably the
  only person left in the world who tries to find a place where I’m not
  broadcasting my conversation.  *Sigh*  It’s a good thing I
  live in relative seclusion most of the time. 

  • 9:50 pm
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