Baltimore, MD
5:45 PM
In front of me stood the Mall. Behind me was the Washington Monument. Huge buildings all around me. Presidents, Senators, the people that run our country, are all in the vicinity. I am in DC. I just got off of the Metro after my interview in Bethesda. I came from the Center and Cancer for Blood Disorders. This was an interesting place. They are testing drugs on all sorts of diseases. These drugs are in testing and not yet FDA approved. I may have interviewed a person that will help find the cure for cancer or another great discovery. It was interesting and important for me to hear that these types of things are going on. It would be a hard job for me though. Everyone is sick. Cancer is still beating us.
Natalie gave me directions to the Metro. It was 12:45. I parked and headed down. I haven’t been on too many subways in my day, so I walked cautiously to the ticket area. I went up to the booth. A man in uniform looked up. I asked him how to get a ticket. “Over there.” I looked. “How do I know how much and where?” A stare. “Where are you going?” And he helped me out. I bought the ticket for $2.35 and made my way down to the Red Line. I was then to get off of at Metro Center, get on the Blue Line and hit the Smithsonian stop. I worked it well, but there was a big delay at Metro Center. Time was short for me.
Let me tell you about the traffic in DC. It’s bad. You hear about it and you think about it, but until you are in it, it’s hard to fathom. I will just say do what you can to avoid it. Because of this thought in my head, I was rushed. It was 1:45 as I entered the DC scene. The Mall was bustling with activity and I snapped my first picture. I had to see the White House. I set off, walking quickly. I looked for the signs. The sun hit down on me and my black shirt. Bad choice. I asked around and followed the crowd. I passed a major road check and lots of cops. There I was, in front of George’s house. I snapped a shot. Traffic was all that I thought about. 2:10 and I had to go back to the station. I booked out of there. Not much time to think about where I was. I was on a mission to get back. The blue signs pointed me toward a different Metro stop. Sweat poured down me as I finally found my entry point back into the transportation pit. I was now an expert and bought my ticket. I headed down the escalator to the red line. A train came. I was on the wrong side! Talk about stress and anger. I ran to the up escalator, headed down to the right side and waited, and panted. My imagination filled with traffic and gridlock. I cussed myself. The right train was there a minute ago. Now I stare at a sign saying 10 minute delay. I sat and waited.
Anyway, I made it into the train. I didn’t too to good of a job of conveying my stress level, but it was high. Even higher when I got back to my car. I drove to the exit and couldn’t get out. I had to repark my car, go back to the station and buy an exit ticket. It was now 3:12 PM. The goal was 3:00. I finally exited the Metro. And to wrap up my lengthy discussion on traffic, I made it out of the DC area. I hit a few snags and slow downs, bit I made it back here by 4:30. Here I am.
There is so much to DC. I could spend a week there. 30 minutes was not enough. I have an interview tomorrow in Northern Virginia and then another one closer to DC. I am planning on hitting the sights tomorrow afternoon. I don’t have a place lined up for tomorrow and parking is a nightmare in downtown, but I’ll find my way. Friday is a major day for me as I head to NASA for 2 interviews.
I’m back in Baltimore. John is working. I’m going to meet a brother of a friend of mine from Charlotte for a beer and burger. That’s all for now. Baltimore is a great place. I wish I had more time here, as I will say about DC.