Travel Tip: When everyone suggests watching fireworks across the river, watch them across the river.

We started our 4^th of July at the National Museumof the American Indian.  If you don’t know DC well, getting to the museum took us past the parade set up and things at the National Mall. There were all kinds of different dancers and bands and floats! You know, parade stuff.

The museum was excellent! The building is brilliantly designed to mimic the structure of nature, so guests are advised to start at the top floor and explore their way down. None of the walls were flat; all had an organic curve to them. As the Smithsonian puts it: 

Photo from Smithsonian Institute

The building needed to be a living museum. The building is aligned to the cardinal directions and the center point of the Capitol dome, and filled with details, colors, and textures that reflect the Native universe. Native people believe that the earth remembers the experiences of past generations. By recalling the natural environment that existed prior to European contact, the museum’s landscape design embodies a theme that runs central to the NMAI—that of returning to a Native place.

As an introduction, the museum has put together this great video. It is kind of multi-dimensional. Part of it shows on a textile screen, part of it on a large rock, and part of it is on the ceiling. It was definitely worth watching! Short enough to keep attention, but long enough to be worth your while. And it’s a good reason to sit, which is welcome after climbing 4 flights of stairs. The top floor (where we spent most of our time) was split into two sections, “Our Universes” and “Our Peoples”. “Our Universes” was my personal favorite. The exhibits were divided by tribe and each exhibit explained a bit about the belief systems of that tribe. It was absolutely one of the most successfully arranged museums I’ve been in. “Our Peoples” was primarily made up of artifacts from different tribes, which was cool, but held less meaningful information.

My favorite part may or may not have been the food. The cafeteria features food from different tribes! How cool is that? I had some lentil soup (the sign said it was South American) and then cheese fry bread (I don’t remember its region, but it seemed to be pretty common to all of the areas). It. Was. Delicious.

From the Hirshhorn Museum website

After we ate, we walked down to the Hirshhorn Gallery. They had an entire exhibition of mixed media works called "Over, Under, Next"! The works were predominately modern, which I enjoyed. My favorite installation was one of different pages stuck to the wall with straight pins. There was also a tank with snails and cabbage, representative of the brain and its decay. My other favorite exhibition was the Barbara Kruger display.

We ended our sightseeing at the Hirshhorn to get back to the hostel for a barbeque! Because free food. And because barbeque. There was potato salad, watermelon, coleslaw, hot dogs, burgers, and more. We hung out with the other residents (several of whom were from different countries).  After dinner, we headed back into the city to get our spot for the fireworks!

Everyone had recommended a different spot for the best viewing. Across the river here or there, in this neighborhood or that. We settled on a (pretty crowded) spot on the National Mall, in front of the Washington monument. They only lasted about 20 minutes, but it was such a neat experience to be able to see the 4^th of July fireworks in the center of our National monuments. I (again) forgot my good camera in the hostel, but I was able to get some decent photos with my phone. Made for a great picture of the Washington Monument, but if I was to be in DC on the 4^th again, I would probably go ahead and go across the river. Where it might be a bit less crowded.

Travel Tip: Always bring an umbrella.

Hilltop Hostel

Really, I think the rain is following us.

We got to D.C. around 1 pm and it was pretty sunny and warm outside. A few hours later, it's raining on me as I go to park the car. This didn't really deter me. I was a woman on a mission. Unfortunately, I was a woman on a mission without an umbrella.

While we were waiting to check in to Hilltop Hostel, I walked down the street looking for some lunch options. There's a great looking Caribbean/American restaurant, but it only takes cash. I passed it up and went for Souper Girl. It blew my mind.

Dinner at Souper Girl

It's a soup cafe, which doesn't sound like much, but the soups are vegan, kosher, and made with locally sourced ingredients. I had the Quinoa and Greens soup with a whole wheat roll. It was about $6, and well, well worth it. Delicious, nutritious, fast, convenient and cheap, Souper Girl is a win. 

After I ate, we got settled in. Then, I went online and looked for vintage clothing shops nearby. I lucked out and found one just a few blocks away! It's called Polly Sue's and the website advertises vintage clothes at competitive prices. I don't know about you, but in my experience, those two things rarely coincide. Polly Sue's lives up to its advertising! I happened upon the shop right before closing time, so I didn't have time to try on the fantastic selection of dresses, but I did buy two pair of earrings (reasonably priced at $6.50 a pair). And I plan to go back soon!

I grabbed a gyro to go from Olive Lounge, which I enjoyed. I felt like it was a bit overpriced, but I'm probably just operating on my small town budget.

The highlight of dinner was Key Lime Pie gelato from the Dolei Gelati Cafe. It had just the right amount of sour to kick like lime and bits of graham cracker to really evoke a sense of pie. Good gelato is good gelato and most places have similar prices. Dolei did have some unique flavors and a location that I just can't beat.

MLK Jr Memorial

After all of that adventuring, it was almost 8 pm. All of the museums were closed and most shops and attractions were closed for the night as well. I hadn't planned on spending much time at the National Mall, but since it was late and nothing else was open, I went ahead. The Mall was beautiful at night. The MLK Jr. Memorial is new since my last trip, so I spent some extra time there. It's a beautiful memorial that makes great use of quotes from MLK Jr. throughout, which adds a personal touch.

Washington Monument

Staying in a hostel has been an interesting experience. The neighborhood is very safe, with a large helping of holistic values (think yoga classes on every corner), but it's always something to get used to when you're sharing a room with three strangers. Kristina and I have met some interesting people, though, so that's been a nice side of it! There is a great atmosphere of respect for privacy and property in the hostel, as much as there can be. Unfortunately, Hilltop doesn't have a/c. And it's DC in July. It gets a bit warm to say the least.