I suppose today is as good a time as any to write my first post about my first trip in the time of Covid. I went to the nations capital, which so many terrorists have occupied at this writing. I hadnt intended to put off writing this post so long; but since I did, a lot of it will necessarily be a reflection of my time there through the lens of whats happened since that time (especially today, January 6, 2021).
My first views of Washington, DC, were at night as I drove past the back of the Lincoln Memorial, beside the Kennedy Center and the Watergate Hotel, up to Connecticut Avenue and back down to my hotel near the University of DC. It had been a long drive, and I knew I needed some sleep because the next day would be even longer.
On Monday morning, I awakened in the nations capital for the first time in my life. Though I had done touristy things a couple of times before this, they had all been style trips. Here in the morning, done by the afternoon. So I wanted to take my time over the next two days,
since I knew the tourists would be sparse and the crowds minimal. I got to see the DC Metro in all its glory, though I was concerned that some of the passengers decided that masks were unnecessary, despite all the signs and announcements to the contrary.
My first stop was the beautiful Union Station, which was empty. It really felt to me that I was on a private tour, or perhaps in a reality show unawares, because no one was there. It was eerie, frankly, with all the silence inside these great halls. Footsteps reverberated loudly. Shops were closed. Except for a single coffee shop, no other people could be seen or heard. So I walked outside and found the Columbus fountain in front of the station. It pointed me in the direction of the Supreme Court and the Capitol. Through the trees, several blocks away, I could see the dome of the Capitol and the obelisk of the Washington Monument. I suppose there arent any other tall buildings to block the view of these famous structures.
The Supreme Court was another place where I saw few people. In fact, I only saw three: a security guard, and
a mom pushing an infant in a stroller. Before I dared climb the steps up to the portico of the Supreme Court, I approached the guard and asked whether it was permitted to go up. It was, so I did. From the top of the steps, I could see over to the Capitol, diagonally across the street. I also got a view of the beautiful door and the inlay of the marble of the columns along the portico of the Supreme Court. I kinda fell in love with it, which surprised me. It was only 9:00 AM, and there I was, feeling enraptured by the architecture that I had seen photos of for so long. Now, I was in physical contact, and I didnt have to fight any other sightseers for the privilege.
That truly is the word to describe my day around the National Mall and further afield: privileged. As a solo traveler, I could easily make my way around these hallowed places at my own pace without worrying about the wants or needs of friends of kids or anyone else. Selfish, but liberating (honestly). And as a traveler during the time of Covid, I didnt have
to worry about people outside my group impeding my views or making me wait in lines. I also didnt have to worry about being infected by anyone else, either. By the time I got to the Lincoln Memorial around lunchtime, I had encountered a total of 11 people, and one needy squirrel on the National Mall. It was an introverted travelers paradise.
My next view was across the street at the Capitol, scene of so much rioting and violence in the name of idiocy today (January 6, 2021). I say next view because I couldnt go into the building. (Perhaps if I had forced my way in with a flag, the police wouldve just opened the gates for me?) This was true for most of the places I found myself throughout the day. Covid had closed offices and museums for only essential work. Tourism isnt an essential job in DC, it appears. But that was fine with me.
