D.C. Day 1

For now this is starting as a travel blog. It might convert into a travel in MN blog.
Today was my first day in D.C. I am staying at the http://www.hiwashingtondc.org/ while going to the CAL ESL Reading Institute http://www.cal.org/services/workshops/strategies.html
Exciting stuff. The cost of the hostel and the bike for the week are the same as one night in the hotel that the institute recommends!

So, to liven it up, I rented a bike for the week and toured around D.C. this afternoon. It is a super deal, $60 for the week including helmet, bike lock, maps, handlebar bag, spare tubes, and air pump. It is a newer model Trek aluminum cruising bike. http://bikethesites.com/

I was blown away by how considerate and helpful people have been. I was pulled over on the curb, out of the way, looking at a map when a pedestrian walked up and asked if I needed directions. He assured me that it is okay to bike on that thing that looks like a highway.
For linner I stopped at the fish wharf that the bike people sent me to. I got shrimp and oysters. http://www.yelp.com/biz/maine-avenue-fish-market-washington So good. The vendors hawk their fish, for eating now and for cooking at home, by calling at people who walk by. It is kinda like the Seattle Fish Market, if it wasn't an overpriced tourist hellhole. (which I like) The smell was PUNGENT and the oysters were super fresh. The guys were so taken with my tattoos and bicycle that they killed the oysters for me, rather than selling me the ones that were sitting out.

After linner I biked to the Jefferson Memorial, my hands were shrimp shell stinky so I asked the lady at the concessions stand for a wet nap. She brought me Purell, a bucket of fresh warm soapy water, and a clean towel. I felt like a princess. Sorta like when my folks would take me to Nankin and I'd have a hot towel before my ribs.

The under 21 set is dominating the general area of the hostel and talking politics. I'm off to the http://www.capcitybrew.com/index.php just 3 blocks from the hostel.