D.C Trip #2

Let me just get straight to the point. Visa application: SUBMITTED.

Last Tuesday I took a solo road trip back to D.C. and finally applied--successfully.

To summarize this entire "visa" and "hiring" process, I'm going to conduct a little math:

Waiting for the initial job application + Waiting for my employment status + Waiting for the letter of invitation + Waiting for other documents for my visa = 6 Months

Waiting in line at the embassy + Waiting for a receptionist + Waiting for her to process my application + Waiting for a confirmation number = 6 Minutes

That was it. After all of the anxiousness and waiting, I simply walked up to the counter and handed them my application. Now I just have to wait 2-3 weeks for them to approve the visa and send it back to me...

I'm beginning to think the Spanish have an ironic sense of humor.

But there was a lot more to this D.C. trip than checking that huge item of my to-do list. During my brief two-day sojourn, I was able to pack in a lot of visiting time with friends, family, and national artifacts (emphasis on the former two).

On my way to and from DC, I stopped Sterling, VA to visit with good friends of mine: Abi (childhood friend and college roommate for three years), Ryan (college friend and Abi's fiance), and Joel (5-year college buddy). They are all working in northern VA and don't get many opportunities to come back to Morgantown, so I was glad to see them before I leave.




Abi and Ryan are engaged to be married July 3, 2011. (Congratulations, once again!) Unfortunately I'm not sure I'll be able to make it back in time for their wedding, so it was good to visit with them while I could

While I was in D.C. I spent the night with my cousin Maria and her husband Mark, who live very close to the heart of the city. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of my cousins and their lovely house, but we had a wonderful evening together. When I first arrived Wednesday afternoon, Maria took me to a neighborhood deli and we enjoyed a wonderful lunch together. Later that evening, Mark, just arriving home from France the night before, filled our glasses with great French wine and Maria served a delicious meal. We enjoyed each other's company for the rest of the night.

I also was able to walk around the city and visit art museums and lesser-known tourist attractions in D.C. Some of these pictures are from my previous visit to D.C, but it still gives you a good idea of my literary/artsy adventures in the city.


East Wing of the National Gallery of Art


Walkway connecting East and West Wing of National Gallery of Art


View from National Portrait Gallery


Garden at Folger Shakespeare Library

In summary, I had a very successful trip in terms of progressing toward Spain and visiting close friends and family. I'm very appreciative for my time there and for such hospitable hosts/hostesses.

Now I have to get my bags packed and ready to go because as soon as I receive that visa in the mail, I'm flying to España.

ETA: 2-3 weeks.