The Insider's DC

I've been around the world a couple of times, and living in my nation's capital has certainly kept more than one international friendship alive. Imagine asking people in Australia to come visit you in someplace like, say, Ord, Nebraska. Not to knock those Ordians, but I doubt you'd get many takers. Living in DC has been the best experience of my life, and one of the reasons is that I feel comfortable and reasonable asking people to visit. We all like to complain that Washington DC is over-run with tourists (domestic and international) but the truth is that most of these people are just our friends! Once you get over the stereo-types (we're not *all* stuffy political wannabes), DC is a fun and interesting place to visit.

Quick Tips:

While you are here make sure you: Take the memorial tour... Smoke a hooka at the Chi-Cha lounge... Watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July... Go to a Capitals/Wizards/Mystics game at the MCI center... Sip Margaritas at Lauriol plaza... Eat a HUGE meal at Buca Di Beppo... Meet your Congressional Representative... Take a tour of the White House...

Best Way To Get Around:

Walk. Metro. Walk. Metro. DO NOT, under any circumstances, hire a car (the parking sucks.) Taxi's are good options when your drunk and/or don't want to walk. We work on a zone system (not a meter) so it is very easy to get ripped off...study the maps carefully and make sure you have travelled through all of the zones the driver claims you have. If you don't buy it, tip small.

The best place to stay in Washington, DC is with a friend. If you have a little extra cash, you might try the Lincoln Bedroom. Seriously, everybody has a friend in DC. The hotels are outrageous and most buildings in DC have rooftops with a killer view. This makes watching 4th of July fireworks lots of fun!

Perfect for a sunny, warm evening. Sit outside, on the roof, and sip margarita swirls. Salsa (that comes with the free chips) is some of the best in town. Best described as Tex-Mex with a cuban kick, my boss swears the only way she'll eat roast pork is at this place. It would also be a mistake to pass on the fried plantains. Portions are perfect, atmosphere is ideal, prices are more than reasonable...one of the best places to dine in DC.

The smell hits you first...it is a dense and thick smell...one that stays with you. It's not unpleasent, but it is hard to place. It hangs in the air, along with clouds of wafting smoke, and you finally realize that the sticky apple tobacco smell and the smoke go together. The smoke pours out from one of a dozen hooka pipes, set to the side of small tables and big groups. This place is always packed. The atmosphere is laid-back, the people diverse, and when you can get a seat, the seating is comfy. Things start to get really smooth on Sunday nights: fewer people and live Bossa Nova. Beatnick at its grooviest.

LOTS of food, lots of fun. A great place to bring a big group of hungry diners...family-style southern Italian. Do not go if: you are traveling with anal-retentive health freaks; persons with very high cholesterol (this meal might kill them); you have a group smaller than four. One dish will feed a healthy family of four...two might kill them. For extra fun ask about sitting at the 'kitchen table' or in the 'Pope Room'

Welcome to the 'Capital' of bluegrass, where the mixed rhythms of Irish Folk and American Blues thrive and survive. Every Wednesday night the kings of bluegrass come to perform live...make sure you wear your dancing shoes...someone is sure to sweep you off your feet. People are friendly and down to earth, and everyone can appreciate the sound of a bluegrass tune. Madam's Organ is a long narrow bar with four floors, a pool table, and a lot of funk.

Wherever your from, this beer's for you! Every beer you've ever heard of, and some you never have, no matter where you're from. Dimly lit, and grungy feeling, but damn the beer is good. My friend met her husband here, so who says there's no love in the hops?