RPCVs in DC

If I did one thing right, I seized the unknown, or what some might have referred to as unemployment. Today is June 21, 2012, I realize as I glance at the calendar assessing my summer plans. How I have not known summer was well underway with all the June sensitive dates in my life, I am unsure… but here we are, having just passed the longest day of the year… and quite possibly the longest six weeks of my life. Since late December 2011, my class of Peace Corps Lesotho Education 2010 Volunteers have been trickling back in to the country. This has brought many visitors to Washington, DC as we have begun to forage relationships on this side of the world.

Before I recovered from Central America and began processing the fact I had a possible job opportunity, returned volunteers had bus and plane tickets booked--10 full days of visitors that would end up taking me straight to the start of my new job.

The festivities began on rainy Friday, March 16 with an afternoon devoted to March Madness. From the apartment viewing to the bar, four of us shared this time together. My unemployment "misery" no longer needed company; we had things to celebrate--three acceptances to graduate school and a job. I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon of upsets. And ragging on each other for poor bracket picks.

There was a brief lapse before the next volunteer and her twin sister arrived late Monday. Early Tuesday morning we ventured to The National Zoo for the day. Just when you think being in the land of opportunity and private transportation are great things, you learn about the challenges associated with city driving. The disconnect in directions, allowed us an entire day of catching up before our first planned activity. After meeting up with E.L.P. we took in each open exhibit at the zoo. The weather was perfect. To be fair, the weather was perfect throughout the visit, allowing plenty of outdoor time before entering the Cube Farm.

S.P. met up with us for Happy Hour following our afternoon stint at the zoo. Then I with A.S. and twin, headed to Reston Town Center for some Red Velvet Cupcakes and six dollar movie night. I proved my loyalty to the cupcake shop, ordering off the menu... and therefore scoring us an extra cupcake. Just what we needed, I know. The movie of choice: The Lorax. I found myself relating to the characters a bit too much.... and was semi-not-upset when I had to step out for migraine issues.

On Wednesday, we ventured back into the district to explore Georgetown and later the Eastern Market. I was on a mission to provide a sample of DC's greatest cupcakes, avoiding Georgetown Cupcakes like the plague. Nearly every native could tell you how overrated those undersized and overpriced cupcakes are. I took my company to Baked & Wired, for the real deal. If you can handle the snotty staff, their products will blow.your.mind. They have a chai tea latte cupcake I cannot get enough of.

Thursday we passed time at the Natural History Museum while we waited for additional volunteers to make their way to East, North, and South. I put my guests to the test with a walking tour to decompress after the museum congestion. From the museum to Rosslyn we wandered through the blooming cherry blossom trees. I was STOKED to see these trees in bloom, after three of four failed attempts over my time in Northern Virginia. My friends were not so impressed. Lame. I rewarded them with a salad lunch a Chop'd, my bus stop hub, while we waited on the rule-ridded suburb commuter bus. It took three days before I had my friends convinced of the beauty of public transportation. Time continued to tick off the clock as we prepared a taco bar and baked cookies for the 8:00 pm arrival of our friends.

I squeezed in a sunrise run as the clan slowly woke Friday. The morning passed on the deck over multiple pots of fresh-brewed coffee and donuts--true American goodness. Upon motivating ourselves, we showered and headed into my towns' small downtown. Thanks to Mom, we could afford to dine at Lightfoot before venturing to Great Falls National Park. The NP is one of my favorite spots, so I am always happy to share this gem with other. Friday night was the highlight--a night out dancing, drinking, and gaming in our nation's capital.

You can imagine how productive we were Saturday. K.A.B. and I did make it to Busboys and Poets--my favorite--for brunch before heading back to my parent's place for appetizers, Kansas Jayhawks basketball, and a gourmet dinner. On Sunday we went shopping at the outlets and took an extended walk in the nature preserve behind my house. Monday brought early departures for the remaining volunteers... and the start of my job.

And this was only the final 10 days of unemployment.