Let’s get Political: Washington DC Trip 2018

Washington DC is basically any other American city… except that building over there? That’s where bills become laws. 

I finally made the trip to DC after it seemed the world was against it. My fight was canceled due to a freak storm that left wind speeds over 30 degrees above actual temperatures. But as a Floridian who always anticipates a week off each fall for “hurricane break,” the weather was no match for my motivation to see and do absolutely everything on my bucket list.

A self proclaimed history nerd and political science student, to say I was excited about spending my spring break in our nations capital would be an understatement. I had spent the past weeks planning my minute by minute DC itinerary in a binder titles “lets get political,” fully equipped with restaurant locations and instagram captions.

I gazed out the window of my uber as we sped through the roads from BWI to our hotel in the heart of Downtown DC and caught a glimpse of the capitol building; I was completely in awe. I’ve been studying, reading, cramming, and listening to descriptions of this place, and I was finally right in the middle of it. I stared out the window with a slight smile, but I was internally screaming with excitement.

I continued with my Leslie Knope levels of over-enthusiasm throughout the rest of the weekend, and may or may not have gotten a little emotional about seeing the actual, physical print of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives. That night, my visit to the National Mall far surpassed my expectations. The grandeur Lincoln Memorial is nothing short of awe-inspiring, and the view of the Washington Monument from its peak is perfection. The full moon glistening in a starless sky as it illuminated a symbol of the strength of our nation was absolutely breathtaking.

Day three was met with a tour of Ford’s Theater and a highlight of the trip, Arlington National Cemetery. Witnessing the changing of the guards was one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced, and the view of DC from JFK’s tombstone was as astonishing has he once proclaimed it to be.

That evening we dined at a classic Georgetown restaurant, “Filomena’s” where the adorable Filomena herself was crafting pasta in the front room. She was sweet enough to let us take her picture while she was hard at work.

I ended the trip with a tour of the US Capitol Building and a meeting with Jacksonville Congressman, John Rutherford. I got to sit in the House of Representative gallery…aka the literal room where it happens. The building was filled with so much history that was simply fascinating.

Before leaving for the airport, I asked Rutherford what his biggest piece of advice is for a political science like myself. He told me that the key to anything, especially in a public service career, is passion. I couldn’t agree more. I believe that passion feeds creativity which inspires innovation and progress that makes the world a better place, and Washington DC, as our nation’s capital, is the center of it all.