Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

The EXIM Conference was really fun. The content was very good. I met some other REPPs (Regional Export Promotion Partners). I actually know a few from other conferences. I really know the organization which won REPP of the year. They are the Florida Export Finance Corporation in Miami. They have spoken at two of my events.

The closing ceremony was at 1:30 p.m. yesterday. I had to go from the zoo metro back to the Silver Spring metro, walk about .5 miles back to the hotel, and obtain my suitcase. I need a new suitcase as the arm doesn’t pull out all the way or I need a go go gadget arm. Anyways, I had to pull my suitcase .5 miles back to the metro. I thought I could transfer after two stops to get on a train which goes to my weekend hotel. Well, I had the yellow train doesn’t run through that stop between March 4 – April 13, so I had to get on another train and make another transfer at another point. Then, I had to get on another train to Reagan National. From the airport, I had to wait another 10 minutes to get on another train to my hotel stop. I left the conference around 1:45 p.m. and made it to my hotel (which is in Virginia) around 4:30 p.m. It was tough, cold, and windy. (I wanted to give up at Reagan and just fly home).

Anyways, I woke up early today. Fortunately, I caught the train immediately upon arriving to the metro around 8:30 a.m. I made it to the parade around 9:15 a.m. The Cherry Blossom Festival Parade started at 10 a.m. It was supposed to be a 2 hour extravaganza. It was 2 hours, but it was so slow and there were so many gaps. There were a lot of bands. I saw Carrie Ann Inaba, judge on Dancing with the Stars. I left around 11 a.m. and went to the White House and gift stores near it.

Afterwards, I walked back to the National Gallery of Art (all of these walks are about .5 miles). I love the National Gallery of Art. It has a lot of impressionist’s works. I befriended a guard when he told someone that they couldn’t take a picture. Evidently, two pictures had sentences said that you couldn’t. I asked about light and he said that some of the owners just don’t want it. I then asked him and said that he didn’t have to tell me, but why isn’t there more security. He said that the National Gallery of Art is supposed to be open to and accessible to the public. He pulled me over later and told me stories. He said that though you see no protection, if you even touch a picture, you may be detained, ID’ed, and given to the police. He said one woman didn’t like the nudity of one painting and tried to ruin it by ruining that portion. Another time a woman started yelling at a painting. She needed mental help and ended up being hospitalized.

I walked over the Museum of the American Indian only because I like their food. I don’t think they have that many exhibits and they make us go though extensive security. I got the bison chili. (I ate at Ted’s Montana grill last night and also had a bison burger). Well, the line was moving slowly and I saw the $3.80 fry bread with cinnamon and honey and powdered sugar. I am trying to get rid of my sugar addiction, but I failed miserably. The fry bread was so good and probably so bad.

Afterwards, I walked to the metro and traveled to to the Japanese Street Festival near the National’s Stadium. I paid $11 to get in. It wasn’t worth it. I walked around and saw the tents. It was massive. There was an interesting mix of people as many people were dressed like Japanese Anime characters. The food area was packed. I didn’t stay too long. I went back to the metro. Then, I thought I should see what else is around. I walked back to the Festival and down to the Anacostia River. Then, I walked back to the metro. When I transferred, I got a direct train back to my hotel area. After getting off the train, I got a California bowl at California Tortilla and brought it back to my hotel room. I was almost falling asleep walking back. The bowl was so good. I wish we had a California Tortilla. After eating, I feel asleep.