Monday, April 6, 2009

Why I hate DC or My learning curve is pretty steep

Sunday after the first session of Conference we decided to go see the Cherry Blossoms in DC. My idea! I thought that since the big parade and street fair was yesterday that this would be a great time to go and take some pictures without a million people running around. Can I just state here that I hate DC! Everyone always says there is so much to do and see here, but the problem is you can't do or see any of it, because there are so many people trying to do the same thing! We live right outside of DC and so it doesn't take that long to go into DC. We spent 4 hours in the car- 40 minutes on a very short bridge and in the end we just turned around and headed home, because the traffic and the parking and everything else was impossible. We never even made it to the tidal basin. Yes, we have seen the Cherry Blossoms before, so it wasn't a huge deal that we didn't get to see them. It just made us sore, tired and extremely grouchy. What's the use of stuff to do, if you really can't do it, because of the crowds? Really there are a ton of things to do and see, but you just have to learn the "when" and the "how".
Sometimes mass transit is the only way you are going to get around- yesterday should have been a mass transit day (unfortunately it was Sunday.)
You can't go anywhere from 6 am-9 am and 3 pm-7pm.
If you want to go out to dinner on a Friday, go early- before 6 pm and it doesn't matter when you go on Saturday, prepare to wait!
Never leave your house at the start of Spring break, Summer break, Winter break, etc. If you do decide to go somewhere on those breaks, be prepared for a lot of traffic and frustration or go at like 4 am on Saturday morning.
Try to avoid free and opening day events unless you don't really care if you see just a little bit and don't mind hoards of people.
Just be happy you went to the Easter Egg Roll at the White house. Most people never get to do that. Don't actually expect to be able to roll an egg. You will wait all day long and it will close before you get the chance to roll or do anything else.
Any nice day in DC from the beginning of spring until fall will be packed! One of these days we will realize that and start going on days when it is pouring rain! Of course on those days, you will be shoulder to shoulder with every other person in DC if you try to go see one of the Smithsonians!

5 comments:

rob said...

I love my little family in DC.

Anonymous said...

I have heard this rant before. From your father when you were young. The problem must be worst now with even more people. And this is why anything you actually did growning up in the DC area you did with your mother in the rain between the hours of 10 and 2 without a lunch break. Sometimes it is just better to watch it on TV. Mom

www.ackfam4.blogspot.com said...

Such memories you brought back for me. I remember all too well that frustration and don't miss it at all. Maybe its time for you guys to move out West with us!!!

The Johnsons said...

you just need to go on a better day,and not around cherry blossom season.....

Melanie said...

Hummm...I think I need to give you my routes to get into the city.