There’s more to the capital of the United States of America than politics and monuments. With a vibrant, multicultural population influencing art, food and music, the city offers a feast for the senses. Lindi Botha shares an unforgettable experience with us.
When I heard I had an opportunity to visit Washington DC as a part of a business trip to America, all I could think of was boring monuments and bland culture.
How ignorant I was! The four-day whirlwind trip couldn’t have been more exciting, and collapsing on the bed at night in a heap of overstimulated exhaustion, I couldn’t wait to soak up more of the energy that the city imparts each day.
Despite what you may plan to do in Washington – be it visiting all 17 Smithsonian museums or taking in the ample monuments and federal buildings, one thing is for sure: you will need to set aside a few days just to walk the streets where most of the treasures are found in everyday existence.
As a starting point, here are four items you need to tick off on your DC bucket list:
Go ahead, do the monument crawl
Whether you’re a history buff or not, the monuments and buildings really are worth taking the time to explore. Having seen Capitol Hill, the White House and Washington Monument so many times on TV I thought it wouldn’t be worth setting aside precious time. But there really is something majestic and moving about standing in front of these icons that represent so much of the free world.
The National Mall – the strip of land that connects most of these monuments – is lined with cherry trees and is said to be a floral extravaganza in spring. Having visited in summer – with temperatures reaching 40°C with 80% humidity – the free circular bus route with its air conditioning was a welcome reprieve.
The Americans really are a proud nation and they do their bit to make it as easy as possible for tourists to navigate the sites and the city. The friendliness and helpfulness of passers-by in the streets also mean that finding your way around is an enchanting experience.
Take a stroll
Washington DC has an extensive public transportation system consisting of buses, trams and underground metros, making really easy to navigate the city. However, I found distances to be shorter than what they seemed between attractions, and the journey of discovery along your walk is what will really make you appreciate Washington.
Stumbling upon beautifully preserved buildings modelled on designs ranging from Ancient Greece, the Renaissance, and 19th century France to weird and wonderful modern creations creates a sense of anticipation as you never know what you will find around every corner.
It’s also worth noting how multicultural the city is and the array of accents you hear on the streets. Sidewalks are filled with a mix of hipsters in their skinny jeans, those preferring hot pants and tank tops in the heat and high-heeled women in business attire zooshing past on scooters.
The historic Georgetown suburb provides a postcard-perfect glimpse into modern DC living with its cobblestoned streets, Victorian row houses and baskets of bright flowers hanging from lamp posts.
Here designer stores and decadent eateries worthy of Michelin stars are housed in the historic brick buildings, making a stroll down the street an amusing experience.
Art
You don’t necessarily have to go to a museum to experience the art scene in DC, as sculptures dot the pavements and ornate flower beddings serve to brighten up the city. But with the range of Smithsonian museums on offer – all at zero entrance fee – it would be a crime to give it a miss.
The National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of all past presidents. It is fascinating to see the range of styles used for each one. By far the most striking is Barack Obama amid a vibrant wall of leaves and the queue to get a photo is understandable. Juxtaposed against John F Kennedy, painted in an abstract expressionist style, provokes deeper thought about this president’s complicated legacy.
Another surprising American legacy also features in this museum: Barbie. Depicting the changing roles of women over the years, Barbie has played a central role in how girls think about gender roles. The artist whose photos make up the exhibition, David Levinthal, encourages the audience to examine the stereotypes lurking within our most beloved heroes.
Feast
Oh the food you will eat! There really is something for everyone, from classic French soft shell crab done in browned butter and encrusted in almonds, to an array of fresh local oysters and exotic favourites like burritos and dim sum. The latter is abundant in Chinatown, which is worth a visit to view the ornate Friendship Archway, the zodiac pedestrian crossing and the general eclectic vibe. Dim sum and ramen noodles are made fresh daily and if you don’t arrive early, expect to wait in line!
Moving further down to the Potomac River, fish markets and seafood restaurants line the wharf, offering everything from budget-friendly heaps of steamed crab, to sophisticated oyster bars. The wharf also offers live entertainment over weekends and sitting down on the curb to soak up the scene with a chocolate fudgy ice cream in hand is hard to beat!
America really is the king of burgers, and while at face value it looks much like the gourmet varieties we get locally, there is just something about the smoky, juicy deliciousness of an American cheeseburger that you won’t find anywhere else. Of course, your trip won’t be complete without coffee and a doughnut and this too is one pairing that the Yanks have perfected.
Photography: LINDI BOTHA
