Starting A Tradition - Birch Boxes

Sohini and I started a Birch Box Tradition this year. We will exchange gifts in 2 birch boxes, writing something on the box each time we send something. Hopefully, in time, these boxes will become some sort of time capsule. :)

Notes and ornaments - December, 2016

Our Christmas Packages :)

Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center

On our trip back to DC, on our last day in DC before we were going to spend the weekend with the kids, we were walking around our hotel and we saw this!!! All my years in DC and I never came here. I think I had vaguely heard about this opening, and looked into it then, but seem to have forgotten about it after that. 

It was closed when we saw it, but I stuck my face and phone to the window to see what they have inside and to take some photos :)

I miss stumbling upon things like this in Eugene. Sigh. 

DC Wanderings...

I miss architecture like this sprinkling the city I live in.

On my last morning in DC this trip, while Saurabh was at his conference, I got dressed, looked for a latte and walked around. There weren't many people out at that hour, but it is DC and there were people. In the lull of the morning hours on a Saturday in DC, I strolled, sipping, reading, taking photos, and just simply soaking in the city. I miss DC every day in Eugene. 

Soon after leaving the hotel, there is this sculpture of Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. The panels on either side of Hahnemann are interesting. 

After I got my coffee from Dolcezza (I don't recommend their coffee, the gelato on the other hand - Winner!) and walked to Logan Circle. I have been to Logan Circle so many times, but never read John Logan's story that is written on the information stand near the Logan House. It especially hit a chord because I had visited the African American Museum this trip too. And all of this, right after the fuckness of the 2016 election results. 

Logan Home

From Logan circle, I just wandered the streets. The streets here are very DC-esque, and lined with trees in fall hues, they were beautiful to look at.

Today was the first time I realised that Church Street in DC has at least 3 churches! It is literally, Church Street. 

This dog was going nuts! He went around in circles at least 20 times. He was circling while I took this photo! :D

I finally walked back to the hotel and noticed this statue of Daniel Webster right behind out hotel! 

Walks in the Afternoons

Since March, after lunch, if I have some time, I have been going for a quick walk. It took me a few days to figure out my route that explores the historic foggy bottom neighbourhood, and now I love it. I didn't realise how attached I had got to it, until this week when I hadn't gone for the walk for 3 days (Monday and Tuesday, we were in Eugene, and Wednesday I was too busy to go). 

I first leave the hospital and walk through the GW Medical Center Park to get to 24th street.

GW Medical Center Park

Then, I continue on I street to 25th street.

I Street - between 24th & 25th

I Street - between 24th & 25th

On 25th street, I turn North towards K Street. 

 

25th Street, Going to K from I

Then, I turn left on K street to head toward 26th Street.

K Street

These call boxes are on K street, close to 26th. Wish they'd art-ify them

 Here, K ends at 26th and I turn left to head South on 26th. 

26th Street

I don't go all the way to I street, instead, I turn East on Queen Anne's Lane, my favourite street here. It slopes up, and I love the row of houses here. :) This lane almost seems hidden, I only discovered it last year during 'Art in Foggy Bottom' when one of the art works was on Hughes Mews lane. It is still there, a mural of flowers (Garden). :)

Queen Annes Lane

Garden, by Elizabeth Graeber

Queen Annes lane meets Hughes Mews lane briefly and then continues to 25th street. 

Queen Annes meets Hughes Mews

Queen Annes Lane Continues to 25th Street

 On 25th street I head South.  

25th Street - between Queen Annes & I

25th Street - between Queen Annes & I 

I keep going on 25th street until it meets New Hampshire Avenue. 

25th Street leading to New Hampshire. 

There, I turn right to this hidden lane behind the buildings. The lane goes all the way till the 26th street dead end.

Entrance to the Hidden Lane

My Hidden Lane that looks over 66.

Going towards 26th

Looking towards 25th

You are at the same height as the street lights for 66, here.

The lane leading to I street. Watching Post by Graham Caldwell

The walk leads to I street, that I then follow to 24th street. 

I Street - from 26th looking to  25th

I Street - from 25th looking to 26th

I Street (25th looking to 26th) - I love how the streets in this neighbourhood

I Street - going from 25th to New Hampshire Avenue

I like this house and yard at I and New Hampshire

I was taking photos of these flowers on my walk when this bee buzzed in at the right instant and left. I didn't actually see it . When I was looking at my photos, I got a pleasant surprise

I Street - New Hampshire to 24th Street

On 24th street, I turn south towards H street.

24th Street

On H street, I turn East to get to 23rd. On H street is the GW Grow Garden. 

H Street - Going to 23rd from 24th

GroW Garden on H Street

At the corner of H and 23rd is a lone cherry tree. In full bloom, it looks beautiful, as all cherry trees do :). 

And, finally, I turn left on 23rd street to head back to work.

23rd Street, headed back to the hospital