The DC Traveler

When visiting Washington, DC, it’s typical to have your photo taken in front of some of DC’s most iconic locations, such as the Jefferson Memorial, and on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But here’s a few locations that offer a slightly different, yet memorable perspective of Washington, DC, (in no particular order).
1. Get in the front of the depression-era Bread Line at the FDR Memorial for a great photo op.
 
2. Pose for a Springtime photo overlooking the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument from the tulip beds next to the Iwo Jima Memorial. The location is actually in front …read more

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When I’ve written about events at the National Geographic Explorers Hall, it’s usually about animals, nature or extreme travel.  But in April and May, National Geographic Explorers Hall is hosting three international food events; all that look really fun.
The Grand Sushi and Saki Event – Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

Join grand master sushi chefs as they present sustainable sushi offerings, Japanese Saki and beer selections. The tasting is immediately after a presentation by the author of  The Zen of Fish: The Story of Sushi, from Samurai to Supermarket, Trevor Corson. Cost – $95.00

The Master Cheese Monger’s Favorites – …read more

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On Sunday (3/24/08), I walked the Tidal Basin and parts of the National Mall in Washington, DC, checking on the status of the cherry tree blossoms.
The buds on only one or two trees were just starting to open.  But the tulips were and a few of the other trees are in full bloom, especially at the Smithsonian Castle garden.
The next two weekends should be spectacular!

A Weeping Higan Cherry tree at the Smithsonian Castle Garden.

This was one of the only cherry tree blossoms I saw around Tidal Basin that were blooming on Sunday.
Images – from personal collection – …read more

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During my college days, I visited my sister who was studying abroad at the University of Munich.in Germany. While there, a relative who lived in Munich took us on a tour of the infamous Dachau Concentration Camp, just outside of Munich.  Dachau was one of the first such concentration camps designed by the Nazis, and served as a prototype for other future Nazi forced labor and death camps. 
I’ll always remember my visit, seeing the areas where prisoners first arrived and were stripped of their clothing and belongings, then on to the showers, and then the bunker, where …read more

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In the great American novel by Herman Melville, Moby Dick, the possessed and singularly-focused Captain Ahab leads his crew on a suicidal and revengeful hunt for the white whale that took his leg. Leading his crew from the whaling capital of New Bedford around the globe,  in the end, only one sailor is left alive to tell the story of the great white whale.
In 1955, Orsen Wells adapted the classic story and created a play-within-a-play, Moby Dick Rehearsed,retelling the story of an American theatre company at the end of the 1800s, rehearsing a new play, Moby Dick.  The cast, unhappy …read more

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A Happy Easter from The DC Traveler.

Image – Flickr – Lin Pernille ♥ Photography
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Wolf Trap just released its summer 2008 concert schedule. And there’s some of the usual performers that visit just about every summer, along with a few that are first timers.
Sure it’s only March and the overnight temps are still near freezing, but why wait to get your tickets?
From classical symphonies from the National Symphony Orchestra, to country, pop, jazz, blues and rock, Wolf Trap is one of my favorite places to listen to live music under the stars in the Washington, DC area.
I prefer to relax and pack a gourmet picnic, a bottle of wine or champagne and throw down …read more

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The George Mason Patriots got beat last night by The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, 68-50, knocking them out of the NCAAs. 
Now it’s  Georgetown’s turn.  The 2nd rated Hoyas won their regular season Big East crown for the second year in a row. But later lost to the U of Pittsburgh Panthers for the title.
Tonight the Hoyas play the local, 15th-ranked UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County).  The UMBC Retrievers (24-8) won its first America East championship this year.

The Retrievers’ high scoring offense may have a tough time scoring against the top ranked Hoyas’ defense.
Georgetown is favored …read more

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It’s again time for the annual Smithsonian Kite Festival on the grounds of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.  
This year’s theme is Brushstrokes in the Sky, featuring the history and craftsmanship of Asian kites. 
The first kites were invented by the Chinese around 800 BC. Early kitemakers used them for all types of purposes, including measuring the wind, measuring distances, and communication.  The Chinese military started to effectively use them for communications and signaling soon thereafter.
Kites first appeared in Europe in the 1600s and was mostly limited to a children’s play activity.
In the U.S. colonies in June of 1750, …read more

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The local underdog, the George Mason University Patriots, made it to the NCAA basketball Final Four in 2006.  Most sports experts said it was a once in a lifetime chance for such a small school.
Here we are two years later, and GMU has made it to the NCAA tournament, ranked number 12th.
Tonight, the Patriots (23-10), go head-to-head against 5th ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame (24-7) in the South Regional game in Denver.
Mason is on a three game winning streak, with the Irish having lost its last game to Marquette by 10 points.  But they haven’t lost two in …read more

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