A Few Lessons Learned in DC

1.       At the Metro: Left means walk/ Run/ or Yell at any person who is not doing either of the above mentioned.  Right means stand/ tourist/ or secretly laughing at the people who run to catch a metro.

2.       Do not get up and stand by the metro door a whole stop prior to yours, especially when the metro car is empty. Firstly, where is the fire? Secondly, you save maybe 1 second by doing that. Thirdly, you provide humor to those watching your attempt to combat the law of motion.

3.       When going to grocery stores (I preferred Target off the green line) do not buy more than you can carry. Literally, one of my fingers went numb for a full day because I cut the circulation off for probably 25 minutes trying to get my bags back to the congressional. More trips and less food. Also, you have no car and depending when you are in DC the weather can be cruel. Use canvas bags to increase your ppcc (purchasing power carrying capacity). 

4.       Pepper spray is illegal in DC. SO NO PEPPER SPRAY.

5.       Do not try to enter a federal building with a back pack you have not cleaned out in a while. You may have items in there that you have forgotten about. For starters pepper spray, Swiss army knives, nail files etc… check your bag before leaving for a trip.

6.       Bring a Bike. It allows you to travel cheaper and quicker. It is also fun to see DC by bike. DC has many bike lanes. See Devin Benson’s earlier blog about bikes and DC. If you do not have a bike it may be worth it to invest in the DC bike shares.

7.        It is illegal to consume food or drinks on the Metro (I should really create a section dedicated to the metro). That means no coffee in the morning.

8.       Do not watch the Fourth of July fireworks by the capital building. If you are unlikely like me and did, you probably could not see the display because it was white washed by the spot lights of the concert. Yes, it is super busy but try the mall or across the river.

9.       Bring extra blankets to the congressional, if you get room 310, you will need them.

10.   Always carry an umbrella and do not complain about the weather. Yes it is hot and humid. But, please stop pointing it out. (I did this myself for some time, but after a while it is annoying).


Mark Zronek