A week has come and gone. Each day I have learned and laughed a lot. Laughed, mostly at myself and learned, mostly from others.
I start this new journal to document my times of ignorance; the times when I have to be shown, and the times when I simply marvel. I know it will be therapeutic for me and it is my hope, that it is at least entertaining for you.
Some simple things I have learned this week:
-If you really want to stand out in D.C. stop and look whenever an ambulance, fire truck, or police car roars by. Due to the high frequency of these emergency vehicles, true natives don't even look up from their desk, or crane their neck. This is partly because if you did you would never get anything done.
-The morning commute is fascinating. It's almost as interesting as discovering a new species. Here you are jammed in a car with countless other strangers for a good 15 minutes, and what's the proper etiquette? Don't make eye contact and don't talk. There is a bond here that comes from uniformity, but there is also a sharp layer of independence. Miss the later and you will be exiled.
-Easiest way to spot tourists is to listen to what they say when they board the metro. If they are visiting or new to the city, wait for the words, "Oh, OK, I think we should be heading to Huntington, yes? This is the yellow line? Right? Good. Whew...man it's hot in here."
-Fake it if you don't know. I don't happen to agree with this line of logic but oh it is the code here. It seems one of the most shameful things you could utter in this city is, "I don't know." After all, why say this when there are much better ways of talking around and around and around...until everyone is so dizzy that they simply say, "O.K. thanks.".
-Making eye contact with drivers is necessary for survival.
-Don't wait for the walk sign and certainly don't run across street attempting to make the light. People in D.C. aren't that cruel.
-There's an acronym for everything. If you can't think of the organization your friend works at just pick four letters and most people will probably nod their heads.
-People are not early but they are on time. As far as I can tell it's about a 1:10 ratio. In Holland everyone arrives ten minutes early. Here, everyone arrives one minute early. In Holland, you are assumed to be from a retirement center if you arrive thirty minutes early. In D.C. you are assumed to be unimportant if you arrive ten minutes early.
-A love of power is also here and it's suffocating.
-Christianity is here and it is flourishing. The same Lord reigns.
I'll close with a quote from Montaigne that my professor here pointed out,
Sit he on ever so high a throne, a man still sits on his bottom.
This truth is particularly pertitent in a place where many seek the highest throne.
I'll try to write each week and will also still be using my Seasons blog to post running thoughts as well.
-David
