Category: Travel (Page 3 of 4)

The District: Day IV (Sunday)

09/02/2007 / Blake

I SLEPT IN ON A SUNDAY. Man, that’s the first time I’ve done that in a long while. I loved it. Actually woke up and watched a movie before getting out of bed.

We hit our new brunch stop in the Air/Space Museum and then set out for our biggest day walking yet. We spend a little time in the American History presentation in the Air/Space Museum. The actual American History Museum is under renovations right now, so they put a few of the most popular items in there. It was quite impressive. I’d like to come back to see the whole collection some time later.

We walked to the Jefferson Memorial. We passed the Holocaust Museum, but the line was out the door. So we kept moving. After the Jefferson Memorial we walked all the way to K Street and 14th to get on the Circulator Bus. I’d been wanting to go check out Georgetown University and this was out best option instead of walking (ha ha! more to come on that).

So as we moved through Georgetown (the neighborhood) to get to the University. As we rode and then walked through impressive areas with shops, row houses, and expensive cars we admired most of what was around. But as we approached the campus we could hear someone singing. We could see a huge wall surrounding the campus. As we approached a gate there was a buzz in the air too.

We walked in and rounded the corner and saw literally thousands of students. The SAC Fair was going on. Yes, the SAC Fair!!!! I didn’t know what that meant either, but I saw signs up everywhere. Turns out it’s the Student Activities Commission and they have TONS of student organizations set up tables and try to recruit students to their causes or social gatherings. There were the very serious to the very silly and all things in between.

I started to try to see how many free t-shirts I could drum up posing as a student. But decided against it. But I was really looking at the Hoya Habitat for Humanity one. I did score some Tootsie Rolls while The Wife got some cotton candy. Then I had to go by the bookstore to get a Georgetown t-shirt. I’ll wear it proudly. I can see why people have some Georgetown pride. Seems like a great placed to go to school.

Then we hightailed it out of there to go to the theaters and watch The Bourne Ultimatum. Good movie. We left the theater to walk along the Waterfront. Lots of shops, dining, and a fantastic view where you can see into Virginia and a little of DC. So now comes more walking…

We walk to the JFK Center, then up to Washington Circle, and then to DuPont Circle. From there we start back south and pass The White House, and decide since we’re fairly close we’ll go take a picture of a restaurant called Ella’s Fired Pizza. Would have eaten there but we were full of popcorn (the theater gave you one free refill…now that’s a great theater). Then back south yet again to the hotel. I added it all up and we walked probably over 12 miles today.

Back at the hotel. A little US Open, a little hot chocolate. And a little blogging. Now it’s almost midnight here in The District. Our ride to the hotel is supposed to be downstairs at 7:30am. If it doesn’t then we’re here in DC for longer than intended.

All in all, it was more than a fantastic trip. We saw tons, but discovered many more things to still see or spend more time on. I would love to come back and spend more time. There are lots more pictures I’ll put up and some short video snippets that will show some surroundings and encounters too. I’ve still gotta tell the story of seeing The Prez, and I’ll have a general review of Washington and things I learned while here.

The District: Day III (Saturday)

09/02/2007 / Blake

I slept in…way in. Like just past 10am. Now that’s what I call a vacation. I’m still thankful for my room darkening shades.

So after brunch at the cafe in The Air & Space Museum we made our way up to The Archives. We were able to see some very old, yet very real documents and writings while there. And in The Rotunda were The Bill of Rights, The Declaration of Independence, and The Constitution. Quite impressive. Then we made our way to China Town. We took our time, walked around, and poked our heads in a few shops. The deeper we went the more “ethnic” it seemed. Lots of China Town seemed fairly common with maybe a few signs here and there in Chinese. But as we got further north into it, there was more and more authenticity to it all.

From there we decided to try out hand at the Metro Rail system. After staring at the ticket machines like a statue for a bit we finally bought day passes. And then after going up and down the escalator a time or two, we figured out how to tell which colored train was going where, and we set out to Arlington National Cemetery. There are over 300k soldiers buried there. Acres and acres of grave stones. We saw Kennedy’s grave and his brother Bobby’s grave too. As the sun beat us down, we made it to the Tomb of the Unknowns. As an added treat we saw the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Just happened to walk up at the right time.

We made quick time back to the Metro and hopped a few trains to get to Ebeneezer’s for the 5:05 church service. But we got there at 5:20ish. But we were a part of a little bit of worship, and got to hear Mark Batterson deliver the sermon. It was on Throwing In The Towel: Serving like Jesus did by washing feet. It was good and he ended w/ a nice challenge to actually do what the Bible tells us we should. It’s a nice setup there in the bottom of the coffee shop. Packed house too. NCC is doing something different and special in DC…

I got to meet Mark briefly afterwards. Nice, what you see is what you get, sort of guy it seems. I didn’t take hardly any of his time. He’d already had a few people talking to him so I figured he was ready to catch his breath. I was right. As we made our way up and out of Ebeneezer’s, I looked back and saw him already headed down the street too. I think he lives nearby and was on foot headed back home. Also got to say “Good game” to Heather Zempel who is the Discipleship Pastor. She’s an LSU grad…and I was still stinging from the spanking we’d gotten a couple of nights before. She didn’t rub it in…

We took the Metro back to the hotel for a brief rest before heading back out for a late supper. We first went to the Hard Rock Cafe, but after sitting for a few min we decided to head over to ESPN Zone a couple of blocks away. I could watch a few different college football games at once while The Wife could watch some US Open. Everyone wins. And I had the 2nd burger in as many nights. Again, good..but I’m about “burgered out”.

That was our day. It ended with US Open while falling asleep in a King sized bed…

The District: Day II (Friday)

09/01/2007 / Blake

So after sleeping longer than I expected to, the day started in a dark hotel room. But soon after we set out. We breezed through a few places as we were finding out feet. But we hit what I call “Monument Row” or something. We walked The Mall then saw the Washington Monument, The WWII Memorial, The Reflecting Pool, and the Lincoln Memorial. There were tons of people there taking pictures of Big Ole Linc. I took a picture of people taking pictures of people by Linc. It made me wonder how many digital cameras are in the DC area at any given time. TONS! You see tons of point and shoot cameras, and then plenty of SLR’s too.

Also while up at the Lincoln Memorial I was struck by how many different people there were there. I wished there was some sort of bubble or indicator over each person’s head to tell where they’re from. Some are obviously not from the US, but others look like they could be locals but are definitely not speaking English. There was one point when I bet at least a fourth, maybe a third of the people around me were not Americans. I guess they have a big interest in Lincoln and all things USA.

We moved on to the Vietnam Memorial, then started walking up Constitution Avenue. It says it’s a Snow Evacuation Route…but snow was far from anyone’s mind. It was HOT! We witnessed a wreck (nothing bad) as we turned up 17th St. to head towards La Casa Blanca.

We actually got to see The Prez. I’ll put the details in a further post, but suffice to say that it was unexpected and sort of weird all at the same time. If it really was him in that limo, he seemed really happy to see us standing there on the street corner. And all the foreigners around me were really happy too. You’d think royalty was passing by, which to them…I guess he is pretty close. Love him or hate him, he’s one of the, if not THE, most powerful men in the world.

So then we pass on to check out the Hotel Washington with an outstanding view of the DC Skyline from it’s rooftop restaurant. Then we hit the White House Visitors’ Center. Then stand outside Ford’s Theater (which wouldn’t be famous w/o a certain murder happening there) before realizing we were wiped out and needed to go back to the hotel.

After watching a little US Open in the room, getting cleaned up and rested, we… Continue reading

The District: A few quick pics of Day II

08/31/2007 / Blake

Here are a few quick pics from today around The District. But a better update and explanation of our day to follow later tonight.

This is at the Lincoln Memorial. Lots of people up here snapping pics. The Wife is reading some stuff on the wall. This red headed lady is looking the other way while hair tries to escape from her pit.

Me in front of my new friend’s house. I saw him today and he waved very excitedly towards me. I think he wants to be better friends. I’ll show you a pic later.

Outside of the WWII Memorial

Pretty obvious…

From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial looking back over the Reflecting Pool towards the Washington Monument. The Capitol is just behind the Washington Memorial.

We walked a few dozen miles I think looking at lots of stuff, taking lots of pictures. I’ll put some more up later, but we’re about to head out for supper.

Here in the District

08/30/2007 / Blake

As I sit in my darkened hotel room in the shadow of the US Capitol, I’m watching MSU get embarrassed on a national stage by LSU. I was optimistic about the year. Even after the first half I thought we were “okay”. But I’m crushed right now… but anyhow.

We made it out of Jackson this morning, a layover in ATL, and now we’re in the heart of our nation’s capital. When I told my mom we were coming for a brief vacation here, her response was, “Why?” I guess it is because we thought about the massive amounts of history and heritage here. Plus there are some cool things here as well. Today we had an outside glimpse at a few.

After making it to our hotel we caught our breath and took a quick walk around. We saw many things from afar while afoot: the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, and lots of governmental buildings that make you say, “Oh, so that’s where that is”, but you don’t have a big desire to look in there.

We did swing through Union Station. We’ll want to go back and spend a little bit of time in there later. That’s also where we’ll be going to church later. Then we met up with David Russell of National Community Church over at Ebeneezer’s Coffee House. He gave us a quick tour of the offices and then a ride back to the hotel. Super nice guy.

Then we came back to watch SEC Football and The US Open. Now I’m going to read a bit before snoozing. But tomorrow should be a day of walking around in the sun, taking pictures of stuff, and sweating a good bit. Check back later…there should be an update.

So…funerals are not my thing.

08/03/2007 / Blake

Well, I was on a posting hot streak for a bit…then it stopped.

Just after I posted the last time I called The Wife from just outside of the internet cafe. She said her dad left the hospital to go Hospice, but he wanted to go home for the “last days”. She felt the end was pretty soon. And I get a call the next morning from Mississippi saying my father in law had died in the early morning.

So I had that weight of the entire situation on me at that point. Wow…it was heavy. But I knew I needed to go home to be with my family. So after spending WAY too long in airports all day Wednesday, I finally get back to my own bed in my own house just before 1AM. It’s a long story, but I had to deal with ticketing hoops to jump through, naps in airports, immigration (which is much more thorough coming into the US than into Costa Rica), head aches, flight delays, and total plane switches.

But visitation was last night, and the funeral was today. I was able to see some old friends and spend some time in conversation and visiting with them. It was really good. And lots and lots of family too. It was a bitter sweet funeral. So sad to see him go so early (only 61 years old), but he’d been through a whole lot recently and it was wearing him out til his body was just spent.

I’m still in Tupelo right now. We’ll trek back to Clinton tomorrow sometime. But please keep praying for the fam. Especially my mother in law. She’s been such a trooper and saint. But I think that once the dust settles that things will start to fully sink in. She’s an amazing lady. But be in prayer for her.

And still be praying for my team down in Costa Rica. I keep looking at my watch imagining what they’re doing and where they are and everything. I’ve had people ask me if I was going to go back down there. While it would be quite nice, I just don’t see it happening. But be in prayer for them as they continue to build church buildings, build relationships, and build the Kingdom of God.

Ice Cream Shoppe

07/31/2007 / Blake

Before coming to the intenet cafe tonight, we stopped by the ice cream shop. I was being goofy w/ taking pictures. And there was this couple that were pretty well dressed but looked to be locals. I told Whitten, “Go stand by those people, I´ll take your picture.” He did, but it looked too awkward, so I didn´t take it. T

Then Utah said, “That guy is looking at you, Whitten.” Sure enough, he was. He kept looking at Whitten like he was a dummy. We were laughing. But then the guy says in perfect English, “We´re from California. We understand everything you are saying…”

Suffice to say we felt a little stupid. But we make up for it by talking to them for a while. They are just here on vacation. Been here for a month and a half already. Leaving Thursday. That sounds pretty awesome.

But now I´m kicking myself for us not actually getting a picture taken with them…

Costa Rica :: Day Three

07/31/2007 / Blake

I don´t really have any ground breaking revelations to share. But I am sitting in an internet cafe that is full. Some people had to wait to get a seat. I don´t know if most people in CR don´t have computers or what. But there are SIX internet cafes that I know of. And I´d bet that there are at least double that amount. All of those are w/in walking distance. I don´t think such a place would get good business in Clinton. And I´m not sure how they stay afloat here. An hour online is probably around $1 US money.

Today I did a lot of paiting…again. Yesterday was w/ a roller. I can handle that okay. But today was the tedious stuff. But I found a cd that was a Spanish version of the United We Stand cd by Hillsong United. Good stuff. Then we listened to DC*B and RelientK some. It did make the day go a little faster.

It rained a lot of the afternoon, but I was painting under a porch, so that wasn´t a good excuse to quit painting. In the church, there is a lot of progress being made I think. But there is LOTS more to be done with it as well. It is quite amazing what all has been done on it since we were here last year. And also what we´ve been able to do the last 2 days.

When the first trip from our Clinton church happened about 9 years ago, I think our mission team outnumbered the people at the church service. And last Sunday night there was around 200 there. So things have grown a lot. But a lot of those people were outside. With this new place, there will be room for a whole heck of a lot of people. It´s exciting.

Costa Rica Church

07/30/2007 / Blake

This is part of a church service from Sunday Night.

Costa Rica : Day Two

07/30/2007 / Blake

I just posted Day One, but here I go with Day Two. I wrote most of that last night, but it´s evening now when I´m posting it. So I figured I´d go with some details about Day Two.

I slept well, but never as long as I´d like. Such is life. But the day started with us waiting on some supplies to work in the new church. OR…we could start painting the pastor´s house. I usually don´t like paiting, but I´m okay with a roller. So a few of us went to paint. We painted the whole house with two coats of paint. And tomorrow we´ll start on the trim.

That´s basically the day in a nut shell. But it´s so very good to be able to talk with and connect to both old and new friends here. I was talking with Utah tonight about could he ever see himself living here. We both agreed that on one hand, yes because we think we could fit in fine with the culture. But not so sure on the other hand because… Continue reading