Sidetrip to Washington D.C., USA

 

United States Capitol Building
Washington DC, USA

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America - After I complete my 2-year contract with Ernst & Young (www.ey.com) Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago, I decided to go back to the Philippines.

I requested our administrative officer to book flight itinerary that I can stay in certain countries for few days. It was approved by the partner in our department because its cheaper than taking the London route which my other colleague took.

My first route was Port of Spain, Trinidad to Miami, Florida (gateway to the USA) to Washington DC where I stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. Then from Washington DC, I went to New York City and then to Narita, Japan and finally to Bangkok, Thailand where I stayed again for 3 days and 2 nights. It was quite a world tour and I love it because I was able to see these places.

After I arrived in Miami, Florida, I needed to collect my 3 big luggages and then checked-in to go to Washington DC. Aside from bringing in the 3 bags, I also have 1 backpack and a computer bag. The airport security stopped me and asked me certain questions. One of the questions I remember was where am I working and when I told him that I am working in Ernst & Young (www.ey.com), he let me go. Miami airport was huge that I walked quite a distance from the luggage collection area to check-in to immigration and to the gate.



The White House, Washington DC, USA

My US visa was I think 5 days before the expiry date when I came to the US. But the immigration officer still stamped 90 days on my passport. I then board the American Airline (www.aa.com) to Washington DC. It was late in the afternoon and raining when I arrived in Washington DC. I took the yellow cab going to my hostel. The driver was quite old but was very helpful. He dropped me to the hostel, then I had my dinner at Subway and sleep.

On my first official day, I walked around my hostel and found out that significant landmarks in the city were just meters away. The weather in October was very nice as it was the beginning of winter time. Thanks to the feedbacks provided by the visitors who stayed in the hostel. I was so happy and excited because, finally, I was able to see the capital city of the most influential country and the biggest economy in the world.



Washington Monument
Washington DC, USA

I saw the United States Capitol Building, the White House, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial where I only see in movies, television, internet or prints.  Wikipedia describes Washington Monument to be made of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss and considered as both the world's tallest stone structure and the world's tallest obelisk, standing 555 feet 5+¹⁄₈ inches (169.294 m). I also visited the War Memorial and was surprised that there were prints of the Philippines and certain areas like Bataan, Manila and Luzon.

On the second day, I went to several museum including the Smithsonian which reminds me of the movie Night at the Museum. It was very enjoyable visit. After visiting the museum, I took a train to Maryland where my 2 former colleagues live and work. They meet me up at the station and we went out for dinner. After the dinner, they drove me back to my hostel in DC.

I left the hostel on the third day at 7:00 am because my flight to New York was 10:00 am. While waiting for my flight, I was updating my Friendster and Facebook and didn't notice that the flight was already boarding. I just noticed it when they announced for last call. I arrived at New York JFK Airport and landed at Terminal 1. However, my next flight was at Terminal 12 and I only have 1 hour and 20 minutes to spare. I quickly ran and took the airport train. It was quite an adventure.

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