washington d.c.

Future diplomat?

Visiting D.C. excited my inner aspiring diplomat. I love public and government affairs, international relations, politics, and anything that helps me learn more about the world.

I stayed at the Lyle Hotel, located in Dupont Circle, which was heaven for me. It’s walkable, quaint, and diverse. Wandering through the area, I was able to see embassies representing countries such as Argentina, The Republic of Namibia, Republic of Sierra Leone, Peru, and more.

I made it a mission to hit significant landmarks such as The White House, Washington Monument, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Smithsonian Museum, The Capitol, The Supreme Court and some spots downtown. I even got a chance to see Georgetown University.

A rule for myself on trips is that I must try locally owned restaurants and coffee shops. No chains. If I can find it in Texas, it’s off limits. I’m intentional about finding establishments that are local and best fit the city’s aesthetic. A few places I tried were Tatte Bakery & Cafe, Le Diplomate, Fainting Goat, and Cafe Riggs. I read that Fainting Goat is closed, which is unfortunate, but I’m glad I was able to try it.

Walking down the lively and vibrant U Street, also coined as D.C.’s “Black Broadway”, stories of the neighborhood spanning decades whispered gently in the wind. I could tell it was a significant part of D.C., reflecting the diverse cultures of people who lived there. It was inspiring to see so many minority owned businesses like hair salons, restaurants and more.

As an avid reader, I had to make a stop at The Outrage bookstore, dubbed as the “hub for activism”. Inventory ranged from books on feminism, racism, trans-rights and more. I hadn’t visited a specialized bookstore with educational reads on topics as such, so it was refreshing to see their selection.

Overall, I really enjoyed D.C.

It’s one of those cities I could definitely see myself living in.