Last year I was ready again to prepare myself for a long distance trip. I was looking on the map where I wanted to go. But first I was thinking by myself, what do I want to do, some culture or nature.
This time I took culture. So many years ago I was already in The States as a 20-21 years old boy. And I was thinking that Washington DC was such a great place and so rich about culture.
So my decision was made. In May 2014 it will be Washington DC, the capitol of the States. I can? Yes I can!!!
When you go to The States then you have to think about much more control and documents. So after I booked my hotel and my ticket in September/October of last year I filled my request for an ESTA. This take not so long. You go to the webside https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and you fill in what they need and ask. It takes maybe 15 mins and after you pay 14 euro. In most cases you will receive in answer immidialtely that you are allowed. Very important: print this document and have it with you all the time. They will not ask for it as in every single system they will know that you applied for it, but it’s handy if you have it in case of a problem. This document you can use for 2 years.
Then they most nice and exciting part of the preparation is starting. What to visit!! hihi. A lot is there to visit, omg!!!!! So I booked immidiately a whole week to see all.
From the beginning it was Obvious. There are two major parts in Washington DC: the memorials and the musea.
Most of them are all situated along The Mall. The Mall is a very long green part between The Capitol and Lincoln Memorial.
To make the days attractive and easy – as I did everything by foot of course – I decided to split The Mall in parts and each split was represented by a day. So f.e. on day one I did all the memorials who were situated along Lincoln Memorial and so on.
On this way I had a good overview of my days in advance
And yes indeed, Of my 8 days that I was in Washington I filled 7 of them with all visits and I took one day off just to relax in a park to give my feet the needed rest and my brain the time to capture everything what I saw already. But also to look at people, behavior, seeing other kind of mentality, etc.
So after some time, my roadbook, like I call it, was finised. My roadbook is build up with my daily schedule what I want to visit, all kind of detailed information of what I’m going to visit. Indeed, a real book
And then it was waiting till May 2014…….
Friday, 9th of May. The day of my start to The States.
I was early up, I still had all the time as my flight was in late afternoon.
I had my breakfast, I cleaned a bit, I gave my cat Mr Jingles so many hugs and kisses and then it was time to go. I went early to the airport. I took the train as it is so easy from the place where I live and the train stops under the airport.
My flight was at 16.15 and I had to be at the airport 3 hours in advance. Of course, I was earlier at the airport as I don’t like to be in the rush.
Everything at the airport was ok. I was already checked in online 24h in advance with Brussels Airlines. I only had to give at the airport my Luggage. It was smoothly, no single problem.
Passport check and security check, all ok and I went to one of the restaurants with a view over the airport to have my lunch. It was great and I was feeling good.
Then it was time for boarding. It was so visible that the flight was not full. The aircraft was an Airbus 330-200 of Brussels Airlines and can carry about 267 passengers. Now it were only 80 passengers but we were fully loaded with high volume cargo and that’s why they only accept only a few passengers on the leg to The States as cargo is more valuable then passengers.
The flight went smootly, friendly staff, good food and drinks, perfect and the latest entertainment. Yes, I love to fly with Brussels Airlines. And during the flight I had some stunning views
The flight arrived on time in The States, it was 7pm.
My hotel was great. It was The Crown Plaza The Hamilton Washington DC, near to The White House in 14th Street.
And the day after I started my week of culture in Washington DC.
The Memorials that I visited were:
* Lincoln Memorial
* Vietnam Veterans Memorial
* Constitution Gardens
* World War II Memorial
* Korean War Veterans Memorial
* Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
* Franklin Delano Roosevel Memorial
* Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The musea that I visited were:
* United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
* National Air & Space Museum
* National Museum of the American Indian
* National Gallery of Art
* National Museum of American History
* National Museum of Natural History
Besides the Memorials and the musea I also visited:
* Predident’s PArk
* Washington Monument
* US Capitol
* The White House
* Arlington Cemetery
* Air Force Memorial
* The Pentagon
* Ford’s Theater and Petersen House
And then it was time to go home again. It was a late evening flight at 10.25pm, so it gives you the opportunity to spend the whole day in the city.
This time less cargo but an overbooked flight, but I was again checked in online so I had my seat already.
It was again a good flight and it was a wonderful trip in Washington DC. The food was good, the weather was awesome with Sunny and high temperatues and I saw everything what I had on my schedule.
It was again an experience and so much knowledge I have again in my head.
See you all at my next article and who knows where that will be.
rafmeysmans 