Holiday Inn National Airport/Crystal City, Arlington

... of afternoon traffic. I turned around right as I got to Georgetown and headed for the peace and solitude of TR Island. There were a few other exercisers - runners, of course, just to rub it in - but I pretty much had the place to myself. I enjoyed the shade and the sounds made by crickets, frogs, birds, and one squirrel who was trying to crack the shell of a nut).

... weather. I only experienced a tiny bit of the humidity this city is known for in August. The rest of the time, it's been sunny, hot-but-not-too-hot, glorious blue skies and puffy clouds weather. I can only attribute this to the forces that collide when I visit one Washington and am from the other Washington. Because that can get confusing...it seems that people in DC have not heard that there is another Washington besides "their" Washington. Meaning, I have learned to say I'm ...

... were some exhibits that I simply could not bring myself to view, I was already nauseated and weepy. I was surprised by what I did not know. Hitler first started his abuse of people with disabilities and mental disease and then homosexuals before moving on to the Jewish people. I don't remember that from my history classes. The piece that touched me the most was the tower of photo's. These are happy photo's from ...

... s uncle's house in Falls Church at 5:00. He and his wife were kind enough to put us up for a night, and we sat around talking for hours. Similar routine on Thursday. We headed downtown to the Spy Museum which came recommended by a number of people. As a privately-run museum, it's not free, and is in fact the most expensive museum in DC at $16. The cost put me off a bit, and it starts off feeling more like a ride at Disney World ...

It's strange being back in civilisation, especially one where most people speak a language  I sort of understand and everything you could possibly want - and a lot more you don't - is available 24/7. Having spent several years living here I knew what to expect but it still comes as a little bit of a shock: buy this, buy that, buy both, buy more. Eat this, eat that, eat both, eat more. Then buy ...

... and warming material. Made by North Face) - 1 Fleece Jacket. (lightweight with zipped pockets. Made by Lady Foot Locker) - 6 pairs of Socks (lightweight Coolmax. Packed too many - 3 would have sufficed) - 10 pairs of Underwear (4 later stolen/missing and dwindled down to 6) - 2 Sport Bras (EMS) - 1 Hiking Shoes (Merrel) - 1 Flip-flops (Haviannas) - 2 Bandanas (great as a ...

... Originates [17] Comments & Conversation with Baba Israel [18] Baba Israel: Respect to the DJ & JSRS/RFA ID [19] Sinclair Outro [20] Thelonious Monk & the Jazz Messengers: In Walked Bud Hosted by John Sinclair for Radio Free Amsterdam Produced, engineered & recorded by Henk Botwinik Mastered & posted by Henk Botwinik Executive Producer: John Sinclair Special thanks to Baba Israel, BitterZoet & Crime Jazz Sponsored by Eat at Jo's in the ...

... mountain of fries. After about the 5th bite, I lost my appetite for more. Never mind it's dinner and I've not had lunch. The idea of turning vegetarian was suddenly rather appealing. I consider myself a junk food junkie but boy, am I an amateur by American standards... So this is it. My 40 days holiday has come to a close. I'd loved every minute of it. Sigh....Why can't I be rich, so I can continue traveling and not go back to work?

OK, so it's August 25th, and I'm getting a little anxious. I can't wait to get there and see what this whole experience is going to be like. There are just hundreds of unanswered questions flying through my mind. What is the school going to be like, am I going to be able to teach a bunch of kids who don't speak a lick of english ...

Last day in DC. Visited one of the most famous monumens of the nation, Iwo Jima Memorial. This massive memorial (6 times life size) is to commemorate the success of taking control of Iwo Jima. Five marines & 1 Navy corpsmen climbed on top of Mount Suribachi to raise the American flag and the moment was captured by a news photographer. The image photograph was later made into a bronze sculpture that we see today. Unfortunately ...