So, here’s where I admit I lied a bit. What to do on a rainy Sunday in DC? Honestly….we didn’t do a great job of this! Once we saw it was raining, getting out of bed before we had to was difficult, and we just barely made it into DC in time for the planned 11:30 brunch with a friend. Did I mention it was pouring? The oddest part of the whole thing, was the encounter with a local DC crazy that went like this:
Crazy: “Hello, you speak Russian? I Russian?”
Me: “Yes, actually I do”
Crazy: (switching to Russian) “Good! I have DVDs to sell! Pretty naked ladies! Copies but very good. You want to buy?”
Me: “Um, no, thanks” (walks away, leaves metro station)
Crazy: (follows us to bus stop) “You no like hot naked ladies? I need to buy train ticket to Baltimore. Sell DVDs. No want to buy?”
Now, at this point we probably should have just kissed and convinced him that no, we really weren’t looking for hot naked ladies, but the amusement was just too much! Got on the bus, made it to brunch…which was awesome. Commissary is one of my favourite brunch places in DC. The huevos rancheros are awesome, and don’t get me started on the blueberry pancakes. The only downside is that from around 11:00 to 1:30 on weekends the wait is usually 30 minutes minimum, often longer. It’s definitely worth it though.
After a very very long lunch, we headed back to the Library of Congress in an attempt to visit the reading room and check out a book and see the mural on the rotunda. No luck – closed Sundays! Wet and frustrated, we got back on the metro, and headed to the Smithsonian to check out the American History Museum. It was pretty fun – although quite a disorganized mess. We did see all the First Ladies’ dresses – including Michelle’s, along with some other interesting exhibits about the Civil War, Thomas Jefferson’s slave baby mamas, etc. It was a good way to spend a few rainy hours while trying to stay a bit dry. Below from an exhibit on US money, which will only be funny to Canadians:
We also stopped by the Old Post Office Pavilion to get a view from the Bell Tower over DC. This place has one of the best views of the city now that the Washington Monument is closed.
Perhaps one tf the oddest things about it, however, was the sign at the top talking about the folks who ring the bells. Who knew there was a whole society of people who do this for fun…and that they were a bit…interesting to say the least? I never knew it was “highly stimulating intellectually.”
Back home for a couple hours to dry off and nap, before heading back out into the rain (which was going on nearly 16 hours now). Decided that somewhere we could drive and stay dry would win, so headed out to the suburbs to hit Sweetwater Tavern. Anyone who’s lived any amount of time in the DC area knows about Great American Restaurants. A small local chain of several restaurants, they do several styles of good old American cooking. Solid food, heavy on the protein, and all-around a good place for a solid, tasty, predictable meal. Highly recommend them…oh, and if you hit Sweetwater Tavern…the ribs are to die for!