Embassy (Sweet!)

With more than 175 Embassies in the DC area (the area as a couple are across the river in Arlington and I think a couple might be right across the border in Maryland) it’s not surprising to see so many Diplomatic plates on cars in my building.  Most seem to be decent; a handful pay little regard to simple local traffic laws and common social behaviors—more leniency given to the latter; little given to the former (by me). 

Any given week at least one of the Embassies opens its doors to the public with a show, a reading or some other type of informational/educational event. We happened to take in a number of them during a District-wide open house weekend. Way cool. Thought perhaps I’d stumbled-upon something a little less touristy but not so much. 

Lines snaked around corners and blocks for some of them–generally the ones with giant banners, great smelling food or loud music. After a couple of those and attempts at a couple more we changed strategies and made a major course correction. Amazingly zero lines and they were still amazing tours! 

By far my favorite was Kazakhstan. Immediately after turning a corner in one of the rooms I saw it—the photo of the Kazak’s Tour de France Championship of a couple of years ago. I worked my way to the host (a young guy) and started talking him up. I barely had to mention cycling at all and he knew all about their national sponsored team (Astana–named after their capital) and the teams many wins. Pretty sure he was shocked someone actually asked him about it! Passing up a chance to get a photo with that photo was not an option! 

2009 Tainted Tour Podium

On a little more serious note the young man also gave a great description of the last several years history of the nation–including the fact that he’s from Almaty–the former capital before Astana–and he still seemed dejected about the capital change.

Terrific Fresh Grilled Lunch – Afghanistan

All in all perhaps my most memorable single day/outing of the last several weeks–amazing so many nations are represented in such a small geographic space.

Suckers that we are we signed up for some freebies and bought a couple things from country-native authors and artists. Each had great works on display as well as a good story to tell. Plus the part about our being suckers. I could visit them and talk with their staff all day. Realizing the particular day we went they put on the best of the best I’d suspect they’d show equally as well any other day they hosted a  site specific event. Highly recommend looking up what embassy may be hosting an event on any given weekend.