DC

Monthly Recap: August/September

Okay, so I’m noticing a bit of a pattern here. Despite my best intentions, I only seem to get around to writing these “monthly recap” posts every other month. Well, rather than beat myself up about this, I’m just going to accept and embrace it.

And really, it’s not a bad thing, especially since August and September featured a big, cross-cutting trip to Finland, Estonia, and Russia! So in a way, it makes sense to just recap both months together (at least that’s how it goes in my head…)

So, here it is…

August/September 2018 Monthly Recap

Where I Traveled: Florida; Finland; Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Washington, DC.

Best Meal: An easy choice this month—the steak, cheese plate, and chocolate lava cake I had in Tallin at Rataskaevu 16 was mind-blowingly good. I’d go back again in a second!

Best Cultural Experience: Without question, the Hermitage. It’s hard to describe just how powerful an experience visiting this museum was, and even calling it a “museum” seems so inadequate. From the beautiful pastel-green exterior to the gorgeous white and gold staircase to the stunning art tucked inside every majestic room, it’s just a staggering experience. I’m so glad I finally fulfilled my decades-long dream of visiting Russia, and the legendary Hermitage in particular.

Best Read: Hope Never Dies, a book club selection, was my favorite read of the past two months. It’s a thriller in which Joe Biden and Barack Obama team up to fight crime and solve a murder in Uncle Joe’s native Delaware. Just go with it. In this political climate, it’s exactly what we need. I’m currently working my way through The Book Thief; much heavier, but I’m enjoying it as well.

Best of DC: Honestly, just having some time to relax in the city in September was great, as was hanging out at Eastern Market on a beautiful summer Saturday and eating all the free fruit and cheese samples. Sometimes, there’s no place like home!

What’s Next: I just got back from a great trip to California to visit friends (saving that for the October recap!) The rest of the month I’ll be here, volunteering for as many House and Senate campaigns as possible before Election Day on November 6^th. (Vote, vote, vote!) And of course, I’ll be planning some trips for 2019 (never too early….)

How was your September? Any fun upcoming trips planned?

DC, Eastern/Central Europe, Finland, Monthly Recaps, Russia, Scandinavia

Oct

2018

Monthly Recap: June/July 2018

Melissa Kaplan0

Wow, how is it possible it’s August already? This summer is flying quickly, but so far it’s been a great one. I have, however, fallen down a bit (well, totally) on my plans to do monthly recaps of my travels and experiences in D.C. So I’ve decided to combine the months of June and July into a single post, because a) I’m lazy like that and b) July was a pretty quiet month without much travel, so it makes more sense to do a two-month recap anyway.

Here, then, are the highlights of my June and July 2018:

June/July 2018 Monthly Recap

View of a mist-covered mountain outside Nairobi

Where I Traveled: Kenya, Florida, Washington, DC.

A majestic giraffe in Kenya.

My one big trip of this two-month period was to Kenya for a work conference. I’d been before, but this time I was lucky to have a full day at the end to explore Nairobi and its surroundings. I visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where I got a quick but wonderful glimpse of baby elephants at play; the Giraffe Centre, where I got to watch these enormous, majestic creatures eat, play, and strut around in nature; and a local bead factory, where we got to see how beads and ceramics are made. It was a wonderful day, and I hope to explore more of Kenya in the future—I know I’ll be back in East Africa at some point next year!

Best Meal/Best Drink: My friends and I visited Agua 301, a Mexican restaurant and bar in DC’s Southwest waterfront area. I’d been impressed with the upscale Mexican cuisine before, and it didn’t disappoint this time: my chicken empanadas and guacamole were both great. The frozen peach sangria is pretty amazing as well, so I’m awarding it this month’s Best Drink title!

Best Cultural Experience: This is an easy one: in July, I was fortunate enough to see Hamilton at the Kennedy Center! I didn’t know too much about the show going in (I deliberately didn’t listen to the songs beforehand, so I could be blown away on performance day), and I really loved the music, the actors, and the story itself. Learning more about Alexander Hamilton’s life, as well as that pivotal era in the formation of the United States, was fascinating to a history nerd like myself–and also, in these turbulent times, a powerful reminder of all our country has been through and survived. Not to mention that Hamilton’s frenzied efforts to write, create, and live his best life in the time he had on earth are incredibly inspiring; I am already working to incorporate these lessons into my own life, up my productivity, and to try and to learn new things as often as I can.

Best Read: I read a few new books these past two months. I enjoyed Dear Madam President, by Jennifer Palmieri, a former staffer on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Part memoir of the campaign and her own life, and part suggestions/recommendations for the first female president once she’s in office, it was a quick read with some valuable insights, and made me long, more than ever, for the day when the dream of a female American president becomes a reality.

I also have been doing a lot of re-reading of favorite novels this summer, and it’s been incredibly rewarding (I love a good re-read; so many books are actually more rewarding the second—or third, or fifth—time). Two books that I devoured once again, and highly recommend to everyone, are Atonement by Ian McEwan and The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood—both are brilliantly written works of historical fiction focusing on the 1930s and 1940s with fascinating female lead characters. They’re also quite heartbreaking tales, but don’t let that deter you: they’re well worth reading if you haven’t already.

Best of DC: I’d have to say Hamilton wins this category as well; I always love a visit to the Kennedy Center, and this one was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

What’s Next: August is off to a fantastic start already, and it should only get better: I’ve got a friend in town next weekend (excuse to go to all the nice DC restaurants and hang out in Georgetown!), then I’m flying to Florida to celebrate my parents’ 50^th (!) anniversary! And then in late August, my big adventure of the summer: a trip to Finland, Estonia, and St. Petersburg! I can’t wait to share more of my adventures when I return in September!

How has your summer been so far? Any exciting plans for August?

Africa, DC, Kenya, Monthly Recaps

Aug

2018

Monthly Recap: May 2018

Melissa Kaplan0

Happy June! And welcome to a brand-new feature of my blog: the Monthly Recap!

I read a lot of travel blogs, and I have to admit I really enjoy the monthly (or weekly) recap posts some bloggers do. I’ve been thinking about starting a similar series for a while, but I held back because I wasn’t sure I’d have enough interesting material to fill it, or that anyone would want to read about my life outside of travel. But then I realized 1) this is my blog and I should write whatever I want; 2) it will encourage me to post more regularly and keep track of the fun things I’m doing; and 3) since I really enjoy reading these updates from bloggers I don’t know, who’s to say that those reading my blog won’t enjoy reading these updates from me?

And I’m starting off on a high note, as May was a particularly great month for me in terms of travel (featuring my first international trip in a year and a half!) as well as welcoming summer with a few fun DC traditions. So, here it is: my first-ever Monthly Recap!

National Gallery, London

May 2018 Monthly Recap

Where I Traveled: London, Paris, Versailles, New York City, Washington, DC.

I began the month in the best way possible: with a week in London and Paris! I also visited Versailles for the first time (verdict: it’s certainly impressive and I’m glad I went, but it was a bit of a hassle and I probably will never go again. At least it’s checked off the bucket list!) Then I was in New York City for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it two-day work trip in the middle of May.

Best Meals: Without a doubt, the prize here goes to my favorite Parisian restaurant, Le Relais de L’Entrecote, where I enjoyed steak and frites to cap off my three days of eating very well in the city. I also enjoyed the food at 28-50, a posh wine bar in London where I sampled Icelandic specialties of lamb hot dog with French fries (American, yet not really…I love it), as well as several varieties of wine.

Best Drinks: The hot chocolate l’africain at Café Angelina in Paris was, naturally, the winner in this category.

Cafe Angelina hot chocolate!

Best Cultural Experiences: It’s hard to narrow this down in a month that saw me visiting the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay in Paris, but I’m going to give this award to the National Gallery in London, which reclaimed its spot as one of my favorite museums in the world. I hadn’t been there so long that I’d forgotten just how impressive their collection really is, and how beautifully designed the building is as well. And unlike the amazing Parisian museums, it’s free! I promise never to return to London without paying a visit.

Best Read: I’ve just begun The Restless Wave by Senator John McCain. I’m three chapters in and really enjoying it so far, particularly his perspective of the 2008 presidential campaign.

Best of DC: I don’t want to neglect my hometown in these recaps! This month kicked off the annual tradition of Jazz in the Sculpture Garden—weekly Friday evening summer concerts held outdoors at the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden. These are hugely popular and I got there early to snag a spot on the grass for myself and my friends. We had a great time, crowds and lack of foresight to bring a picnic blanket notwithstanding. I also took advantage of a free afternoon before the concert to visit the National Gallery of Art and check out some of my favorite European painters, including a new exhibit on Cezanne portraits (which to be honest, I just stumbled on).

What’s Next: This month I’ll be in Kenya for a week for work, and hoping to fit in a little time on my last day to do touristy things. I’m also beginning to plan my August European vacation in earnest (more details to come soon!)

So, what did you think? Are you a fan of monthly recap posts, or are they just ridiculously self-indulgent narcissism? (Please pick the first option). What exciting things did you do in May?

DC, France, London, Monthly Recaps, Paris, Travel Musings, US travel

Jun

2018

Where I’m Going This Fall

Melissa Kaplan0

I’ll be honest; I’ve never really been a fall person. Sure, I acknowledge that the season has its charms: pumpkin bread (I can’t stand the lattes, though, sorry); autumn foliage (though my current home in the mid-Atlantic can’t compete with my New England upbringing for that); and yes, it’s nice to be able to break out my sweater collection again. But ultimately, fall has always signaled to me that summer, my favorite season, was coming to an end. I just couldn’t get too excited about shorter days and colder nights. Add to that the fact that most of my travels often happen in spring and summer, and fall never really felt that exciting to me.

This year, however, things feel different. As I alluded to in my last post, I’ve spend the past few months (ie all of my beloved spring and summer seasons) dealing with health issues that have consumed a lot of my time and attention and kept me grounded at home with no travel to distract me. That’s why this year, I’m doubly excited to welcome October: it means I’m almost done with the main part of my medical treatments (I can see the end on the horizon!), and I’m finally ready to do some traveling again (and just in time to head north for peak-ish foliage!)

My trips this month won’t be all that exotic, but that’s okay. At this point, I’ll embrace pretty much any opportunity to hit the road, and I’m looking forward to several mini-adventures this month:

Melissa’s October Travels

The first stop, next weekend, is Philadelphia! After reading about several bloggers’ fun experiences in the city, I’ve decided it’s high time to explore its restaurant, café, and museum scenes. And as it’s only two hours from DC by train, it’s a perfect escape for the Columbus Day weekend break.

I’ve been to Philadelphia before, but that was over a decade ago and I’m sure a lot has changed since then, not the least of which is me. I’m a very different traveler now than I was in 2005, having lived overseas and traveled to five continents since then! I know more about what I like and want to focus on in a city, and for me, that means soaking up Philadelphia’s rich history as a pivotal part of the country’s founding days (already got my tickets for the Museum of the American Revolution!), checking out some cool cafes, gelaterias, and donut shops (Federal Donuts, I’m coming for you!), and of course, trying some fantastic new restaurants. I have a dinner reservation at Talula’s Garden, a reputedly amazing foodie mecca, for my one night in town, and I can’t wait to check it out and see how it lives up to expectations. Stay tuned for more on my Philadelphia adventures in the next few weeks!

Next up is my annual work conference in New York City. Normally, I don’t think of this as a vacation because a) it’s a work trip, obviously, and b) I don’t like NYC very much (sorry not sorry). But, I will admit the city has grown on me over the past few years of traveling there for my job—by which I basically mean I appreciate the indisputably excellent restaurant scene, which hasn’t let me down yet. Plus, I look forward to getting to visit friends and family in the city whom I don’t often get to see. Oh, and I’ve already started recruiting coworkers to visit Black Tap with me to enjoy burgers and, more importantly, these milkshakes. For this decadent candy-covered experience, I’ll happily ride a train three hours north (and hopefully see some decent foliage as part of the bargain!)

Black Tap milkshakes are worth a trip to NYC!

I’ll be in DC the rest of the month, but looking forward to a few fun local adventures too. These include visiting the Kennedy Center in a few weeks to see the Mariinsky ballet, and attending a book signing by legendary newscaster Dan Rather to celebrate the release of his new book (as one who’s been following his eloquent Facebook posts for the past year, I’m really anxious to see how his musings on politics, America, and national unity that have captivated so many on social media will translate into book form).

Time for a culture fix at the Kennedy Center!

So, it will be a busy month of small but delightful adventures and escapes. Just the prospect of a change, a break from the routine of the last few months of my tethered life, is exciting to me; I want to get back out into the world and re-engage the part of me that thrives on travel and exploration. Hopefully this time in a few months I’ll have lots more adventures planned and in the pipeline, but for now, I think I’m off to a pretty solid start as I re-emerge onto the travel scene.

For once I’ll join the chorus: bring on fall!

Have you been to Philadelphia or NYC recently? Any recommendations for my visits? What do your fall travel plans look like so far?

DC, US travel, Washington

Oct

2017

August Update: Checking Things Off My DC Bucket List

Melissa Kaplan0

When August arrived a few weeks ago, I was happily anticipating a little rest and relaxation. August was supposed to be my quiet time after nearly three straight months of rapid-fire, mostly work-related travel through Asia, Africa, Europe, Florida, and Connecticut: time to soak up DC’s summer charms before leaving for my vacation to London, Slovenia and Croatia.

Except, on a whim, I searched online for apartments one morning to see what was available in my neighborhood, and ended up moving into a newer, bigger space upstairs in my building (yay!). So moving, buying new furniture, and shopping for home goods dominated the first few weeks of the month. Not to mention I took a lightning-quick day trip up to New York City to meet up with college friends I hadn’t seen in years. We had a wonderful time catching up and reminiscing, and I got to eat what is without a doubt the most impressive milkshake/sundae I’ve ever had in my life at Black Tap. I already can’t wait to go back next time I’m in NYC for work—and I’ll save room for one of their legendary burgers too!

So, August hasn’t exactly been the quiet, peaceful month I anticipated a few weeks ago, but it has definitely been productive! In more ways than one: I’ve also gotten to check several long-held goals off my DC bucket list. Here’s a bit of what I’ve been up to in my hometown this month, and what I hope to get to soon once I return from the road:

Nationals baseball field in DC

My First Baseball Game in Nationals Park! I’ve never been much of a baseball fan, but my dad has been rooting passionately for the San Francisco Giants ever since they were the New York Giants back in his youth. This year, I decided it was time to check out a game in person, so some friends and I booked tickets for the Nats-Giants matchup in early August. It was actually really fun! I was afraid I’d be bored sitting through a whole nine innings of baseball with no escape (sorry, Dad!), but it actually turned out to be much more interesting to watch the game in person than it is on TV. The atmosphere was great, the weather was perfect, and the stadium has Shake Shack(!) Even though the Giants lost, it was still a fantastic evening.
My First-Ever Restaurant Week: Every August, DC holds Restaurant Week, when you can dine at fancy places and try out a range of cuisines and sample special menus for a fixed price. And every year, I say I want to go but always fail to follow through…until now. My friend and I have booked a table at one of DC’s swankest restaurants for Friday evening, and I am so excited for a gourmet experience at a relatively bargain price! Maybe I’ll transition into being a foodie blogger (although my main criteria for restaurant selection was location and the presence of chocolate lava cake on the menu, so probably not).

And a few others I’m still hoping to check off in the next month or so:

Outdoor Yoga: I’ve always been intrigued when I passed by the swathe of people getting their yoga on in Farragut Square, but I was also a bit nervous about downward-dogging and planking in front of a crowd of commuters. But the other day, my coworker, who knows I love yoga, brought in a flier about this outdoor yoga program, and I knew the time had come to take the plunge. The yoga sessions happen on Tuesdays through late September, so I’ve got time, but I will definitely make it happen this year!
Botanical Gardens: This is one of those places in DC I’ve been meaning to get to for ages but somehow, I still haven’t visited. I’m determined to slot it into a weekend in September once I’m back from Europe. In fact, I almost popped in the other day between meetings when I was nearby, but decided to hold off so I can give it the attention and time it deserves.
Food truck tasting: Another weird fact about me: I’ve lived in DC for umpteen years and NEVER EATEN FROM A FOOD TRUCK. Seriously, that is crazy. Food trucks are huge in DC, especially in the downtown area where I work. My coworker and I have plans to go check out the trucks soon for lunch, so this will be an easy and delicious item to check off the list!

I leave for Europe in just a week, so I’m determined to enjoy all the DC summer I can before it’s gone. Hot and humid it may be, but I love this time of year: blue skies, warm sunshine, long days, and a feeling of infinite possibility and excitement. Here’s to the rest of August being as great as (and slightly more relaxing than) as the first half!

Have you visited DC in summer? Any items on your own local bucket list?

Aug

2016

Postcard from DC: Cherry Blossoms!

Melissa Kaplan0

It’s that time of year again, the very best time to be in DC (and loads of tourists seem to agree with that statement): Cherry Blossom season is here!

Well, technically, the blossoms have pretty much peaked at this point, and—full disclosure—I didn’t actually make a trip out to see them in full bloom around the city’s monuments, despite some recent gorgeous sunny weather. Major fail re: my goal to see more of the beauty in my own backyard.

However, it’s worth pointing out that I’ve been to see the cherry blossoms many times before, and as beautiful as they are—once you’ve seen one blossoming tree, you’ve seen them all, right?

Yet the truth is I really do love the beautiful buds that pop up all over DC this time of year. As many years as I’ve spent living here, I’m still not immune to their beauty.

Fortunately, I have a lovely, pink and white blossoming tree right in my own front yard! It’s not technically a cherry blossom tree, but it’s gorgeous, and I look forward to seeing it bloom for an all-too-brief week or so every year. This magical tree has already transitioned from fluffy white flowers to more sedate, smaller pink buds…still beautiful, just in a different way. And soon, it will turn green and leafy, and while that’s definitely a big improvement over its barren winter state, I do admit that I’ll miss walking past those white blossoms every day.

So, in honor of my favorite neighborhood tree, here’s a photo from a few weeks ago showing it in its full springtime glory, followed by some photos of the official cherry blossoms from earlier years when I was ambitious enough to brave the crowds and go into town to see them. (It really is always worth it. Next year!)

My neighborhood almost-cherry-blossom tree!

Cherry blossoms near the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial.

DC, US travel, Washington

Apr

2016

Why I Love Washington, DC

Melissa Kaplan1

A few days ago, I did something I almost never do: struck up a conversation with a stranger sitting next to me on a park bench. As an introvert, this is a rare occurrence for me. To give you some context, he was reading a copy of Eat, Pray, Love and I’ve been thinking of picking it up before my planned trip to Bali later this year. (Verdict: after his enthusiastic recommendation, I’ll definitely be adding it to my Amazon cart!)

We began chatting and I soon learned he was in town from Florida and visiting my adopted hometown of Washington, DC for the first time. I told him that my parents live in Florida and I love it; it’s a beautiful place, especially the Gulf Coast. His response surprised me.

“I like it much better here,” he said, gesturing out at all the picnickers and office workers enjoying their lunches outside in Farragut Square on the first really nice spring day of the year. “I mean, look at this. Florida doesn’t have these kind of outdoor spaces. This is a great city!”

And you know what? He’s absolutely right.

I’m a New Englander by birth, but I’ve lived in DC (or technically, just outside of it) and worked in the city on and off for over a decade. I’ve now been back for six years, and I think it’s pretty clear that this is the place I’m going to stay. Partly this is because I work in the public policy field; there’s really no other place I could do my job than right here. But my new park bench friend was right; DC is a fantastic city, and one I don’t think always gets the credit it deserves.

As I’ve begun my journey as a travel blogger, I’ve also broadened the scope of travel blogs I read regularly. One trend I’ve noticed is that a lot of bloggers write not only about their travels, but also feature the highlights of the place they live: home state, adopted city, expat country. But I’ve come across very little writing about Washington so far in the travel blog universe. It mostly features in bloggers’ stories as the place they lived and worked at a boring entry-level job for a few months before they could break free and begin their round-the-world adventure and launch into their “real” travel.

Of course, DC does get a multitude of tourists every year (especially during cherry blossom season, when the metro magically starts running on time during the weekend). Clearly, lots of people come here and enjoy the city. But I feel like for most first-timers, a trip to DC means two things: monuments and museums. Spend a day in the Smithsonion at the Natural History and Air and Space Museums; gawk at the White House and get a picture from outside the gate; do a nighttime tour of the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Vietnam memorials, and you’re all set, right?

These are all great attractions and I completely understand why first-time visitors would have them at the top of their must-see list. But there is so much more to DC than this!

DC is a city full of some of the smartest, most interesting people I’ve ever been fortunate enough to meet. People who live here long-term often arrive from other parts of the country and all around the globe, drawn by the type of professional, personal, and cultural opportunities that only exist in the nation’s capital. This mix of people makes for a really interesting social scene; meet anyone at happy hour and they’re likely to regale you with stories of their time in the Peace Corps or their current projects at a think tank or their job within the U.S. government. And only in DC can you subscribe to an email newsletter that keeps you up to date on the latest embassy receptions and cultural events.

Kennedy Center

But as much as DC is heaven for politics and international affairs junkies (like me), it offers so much more that first-time visitors may not realize is here. Art museums and galleries galore. Amazing restaurants offering every kind of cuisine you could ever want. Charming neighborhoods full of shops, cafes, and glorious architecture. And, as my friend pointed out, beautiful open spaces where people can hang out on a sunny day and just take it all in.

So…all of this praise of my adopted hometown is by way of saying that I’ve decided to expand my blog’s focus a bit to include more content on DC. I’ll still write primarily about my travels, but there are also great things right here at home that I’d love to share with readers (and plenty of things I have yet to cross off my own bucket list, so maybe this will give me a bit of inspiration!)

Expect more DC-related blog pieces over the next few weeks and months, as the city launches into springtime, aka Cherry Blossom Festival season, which is probably the best time to visit. I hope to keep posting about DC and my adventures here as the year goes on. Because as much as I love to travel and see the world, on a typical weekend, this is where you’ll find me. And seriously, how lucky am I to be able to say that?

Have you visited DC (or do you live here?) What do you think of the city? Any recommendations to share?

DC, US travel

Mar

2016