D.C. Update

So I presented yesterday.

I am sure the presentation went better than I had anticipated, but I am only too happy to put yesterday out of my mind. Public transit is not my friend, no matter where I am. The trip from my hotel to the conference site was supposed to take 20 minutes (17 minutes) according to the Metro site. I gave myself 45 and made it there...just. Seems like my roommates experienced the same issues I did.

Oh well. No matter! 

There is so much to see in D.C., I am currently drafting a schedule and mapping my interests for the next few days. I do have to make it back to the conference for a few things, but the pull of D.C. is strong. So strong, in fact, that I am actually skipping the zoo today (which really should have been my first stop!) to go see some other stuff.

Yesterday JP and I got to tour the White House. (Thanks to Dave and Rhonda for arranging this tour on such short notice.) :)  We got to see the Vermeil Room, China Room, Library, Green, Blue and Red rooms, the State Dining Room and the East Room (which is where press conferences are staged and where weddings often occur.) As you might imagine, they don't really let you into the White House with much on your person, but they did allow cell phones (surprisingly with cameras) and allowed you to take pictures once you exited at the front door. So... here's a pic of the front of the White House. :)

I did not get to meet BoBama (my affectionate name for the Obamas' pooch). My friend said he should have smuggled in a dog whistle to lure him out but I am thinking that being questioned by the Secret Service isn't on the priority list for my vacation.

Not sure what I will get up to today. There are tons of geocache sites in this city and tons and tons of things to see. I suspect I have to take a picture of the escalators in D.C. I have been neglecting my fitness (and these neverending escalators prove how out of shape I really am...) You'll soon see why!

Bye for now!