I have lived in the Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. for over 25 years. Like most people who live in the region, I rarely travel into the city except when I have guests. We tend to look a bit negatively at tourists, who impede our paths and generally get in the way as we rush about trying to get important things—primarily work—accomplished. It is a bit of a stereotype, but it does seem to be that most people in this area are very focused and driven.
As I continued to struggle to readapt to “normal” life after my glorious three weeks in Paris, I started to wonder how things would look differently if I approached Washington D.C. with the same sense of awe and enthusiasm that I felt for Paris. What if I stopped taking for granted all of the treasures our nation’s capital has to offer and looked at them with fresh eyes?
Saturday, I grabbed the camera gear and the raincoat that I used in Paris and rode into the city on the Metro system. I had a relaxing time visiting several of the Smithsonian museums, which all have no admission fee, so you don’t have to exhaust yourself trying to get your money’s worth. I may cover my museum experience in another posting.
What struck me the most during the day, however, was the view that greeted me when I walked out of the National Gallery of Art at closing time. It was starting to get dark and lights had come on, gently illuminating some of the buildings. As I looked to the left, I could see the U.S. Capitol Building, home of Congress, and to the right in the distance was the Washington Monument, with a part of the Lincoln Memorial visible behind it. Wow!
Now I realize that most people don’t have Washington D.C. in their backyard, but I encourage you to look afresh at the area in which you live. Imagine that you have traveled thousands of miles to see its unique beauties. For me, that change in attitude helped me to look beyond the familiar and better appreciate the beauty that was always there. I had always used that approach in my wildlife photography and only now realize how it can be broadened into so many other areas of my life.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Welcome home!! Looked like you had a great trip!!
Thanks, Roxie. I had a wonderful, relaxing time in Paris, exploring the city at my own pace.
The beauty of your photographs belies the ugliness transpiring at the moment. Our Capitol is a beautiful city.
Nice captures right there in your back yard, and your Paris adventure was a treasure to follow along in your beautiful images. M 🙂
Way to go Mike.. your photos are really beautiful and this couldn’t be more removed from my day-to-day life here in NZ! You know, what I mean is, it’s wonderful for me to see these!
Lovely photos. I especially like the colour pallette with the blue against the gold.
I know DC pretty well as my in-laws lived there until they retired back to the UK. It’s a wonderful city to explore as a tourist but a bit of a pain in the rump to work in and definitely to commute to. I have lived here in the Philly burbs for over 6 years now but am definitely still playing at being a tourist in the city.
I love being in Washington, DC, Mike. I was lucky to “have to” travel there numerous times between 2012 and 2019. I made good use of my tourist time, but I’d still like to return for a few days where I didn’t have a schedule full of meetings to get to. Great photos.
Great insight into living with our eyes and senses open to the treasures that lie in our own backyards. It seems to be human nature to become complacent! We need to stay open to greater possibilities. Good point, Mike!
I love this idea. Yet another way that Paris is “a moveable feast”. When I returned to the U.S. after three years abroad and settled in the DC area, so much here reminded me of Paris: the wide avenues, the roundabouts, the Georgetown shops with French names…. I missed Paris, and Washington eased that grief.
When I was working, I had little time to be a tourist at home. Now that I’m retired, I can take more advantage of my proximity to this beautiful city rich in museums, monuments, memorials, galleries, parks, sweeping vistas, and musical resources. It’s still unusual for me to do so, but I love your suggestion to look at one’s surroundings with fresh eyes.
Only yesterday, my husband and i heard the Washington Bach Consort perform on Capitol Hill and followed up with a visit to the gorgeous U.S. Botanical Garden. A perfect outing!
I love the way you expressed your impressions of Washington DC. From your descriptions of your recent activities, you must be local. I live in Alexandria, Virginia. I too am mostly retired, but was asked to in Vienna, Austria next week. We talked about meeting, given the similar strands in our background and it sure seems like a good possibility. The holidays will be a bit crazy, but perhaps some time after that.
Yes, I live in Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg and Alexandria are not exactly close, but it’s certainly doable. I’d love to follow you on one of your jaunts to Huntley Meadows or Occoquan (but doubt I could get myself up and down there by the time you normally go. Do you ever go in the middle of the day?)!
Wow indeed! You really capitalized on the subjects and light, Mike! I particular like the off center Washington Monument.
I still feel like a tourist here in SC, in our fourth year, when we venture to downtown Charleston. I try to go slower than the tourists, who tend to be rushing about, maybe because they are from a fast paced city!
What I found in Paris is that most tourists tend to have a limited amount of time and a long itinerary, which is one reason they rush about. I think the trick is to either extend the time and/or prune the itinerary to really get a feel for a place and enjoy it. That is why I spent three weeks in Paris. As for Charleston, I have heard how beautiful it is–I may need to visit. 🙂
Yes, and most folks can’t do either! Three weeks was a great plan, wonderful to be able to take it all in…well maybe not all! Come on down! We would be very happy to show you around.
I so totally agree, Mike. Deep tourism vs shallow. It’s why when we go to Greece, we stay in and around our little town.
I think it depends on the individual. I remember hearing it described as living deeply versus living broadly. I know that with my wildlife photography, I do not get bored at seeing the same landscapes and the same creatures, because each encounter is different, but others may feel called to go on safaris and trip to see more and different landscapes and creatures. Maybe it is the same way with friends. I have no desire to have thousands of “friends” on Facebook or Instagram–a few good ones are enough for me. 🙂
Again, I agree.