December Metro Journey!

Statue within Georgetown University

*sings* "I'm gonna put on my, my, my, my, my boogie shoes!"  Actually for this metro journey, it was more like walking shoes, and we definitely were not dancing as it was pouring the whole entire day! Thank the Lord Jesus in Heaven for all natural hair! 

 Georgetown is a historic neighborhood, commercial, and entertainment district located in northwest Washington, D.C. along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751 in the state of Maryland, the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years. This historical city remained a separate town until 1871, when the United States Congress created a new government for the whole District of Columbia.  The primary commercial corridors of Georgetown are the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, which contain high-end shops, bars, restaurants, and the Georgetown Park enclosed shopping mall, as well as the Washington Harbour waterfront restaurants at K Street, between 30th and 31st Streets.Georgetown is home to the main campus of Georgetown University and numerous other landmarks, and they are home to several embassies, one of which you'll hear about later. 

Our first stop was the Georgetown Hospital.  This hospital is one of Washington DC's oldest academic teaching hospitals. and is connected to Georgetown University's School of Medicine.  This hospital was founded in 1898 as a part of Georgetown University.  It opened with just 33 beds, and it was run by the Sisters of St. Francis.  It moved to its current location outside of the Foggy Bottom metro stop n 1930.  This hospital was ranked in 13 specialty areas in 2001 U.S. News and World Report's "Best Hospitals" issue. It was also was awarded Magnet Status by The American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2004. It is and remains the first and only hospital in Washington D.C. that has received this recognition.  You know when you walk into a hospital, and you just know where you are?  It just feels like a hospital.  The floors, ceiling, receptionists, and seats are the ones that belong in a hospital environment; you know what I mean? It feels like... well, a hospital.  My favorite thing about Georgetown Hospital is that "hospital" feeling was nowhere to be found. Between the revolving door, the receptionist, and the Starbucks, it reminded me of a hotel to tell you the truth.  What was your first experience in the Georgetown Hospital? When you went, did you feel the same way or different?  The best part about going to that hospital was that we got to visit la abuela de Victoria! Ella trabaja en el hospital!  (didn't even use Google Translate *brushes off shoulder*)

While there are several embassies located in Georgetown, we only visited one. The Embassy of Spain was our second stop.  Spain and the USA established international relations in 1785, two years following America's independence under the leadership of Ambassador Diego Maria de Gardoqui and Arriquibar.  The ambassador of Spain in the USA represents the Spanish Government and follows closely the events and opinions in the US as to protect Spanish interests.  The current ambassador is Senor Ramon Gil- Casares Satrustegui.  In addition to the office located in Washington D.C., the Embassy of Spain also has several different consulates located around the U.S. including ones as close as New York and ones as far as Los Angeles.  There's even one in Puerto Rico.  This particular embassy represents the Spanish government and fosters the close relationships between the two countries.  

Our third stop was the Trader Joe's on 25th street NW.  Maybe Ms. Anna was trying to encourage us to go grocery shopping so as to help our families out? Or maybe she wanted us to buy lunch! Or maybe she was trying to torture us with the smell of food because let me tell you right now, you never send a group of broke teenagers into an organic grocery store where the ice cream is over $5. It lowers our egos. But we had each other! *makes fist* On the bright side, we met two awesome guys named Dudley and Dou! They were really awesome! They were very open to our metro journey and homeschooling experience, and they were really charismatic and fun to talk to. If you're ever there one day, tell them we sent you! You might get a discount! *wink, wink!* 

Foggy Bottom; More City Feel 

After departing Trader Joe's, we hopped on the bus towards downtown Georgetown.  While riding, we were able to study the transition in architecture between Foggy Bottom and Georgetown.  It went from being modern to a more historical 18th to 19th century architecture.  For example, the sidewalks in Foggy Bottom were concrete while in Georgetown, they were brick.  Another instance would be how in Georgetown the businesses were in 19th century row houses, while in Foggy Bottom they were modern office buildings.  The change was definitely drastic  Two contrasting neighborhoods, but they definitely complimented each other.  

Georgetown; More vintage feel 

You know? Compliments save time. You might be wondering what I mean.  While on the bus, there was a beautiful young girl whose hair looked flawless.  I always like to give compliments to others because I always like receiving them, so I got her attention and expressed my opinion. She smiled and thanked me ending our conversation.  You still might be a tad confused.  Well, when we got off the bus and were trying to map our way to the Georgetown campus, she overheard our conversation, and it turns out she was going right where we needed to go! She offered to be our guide and saved us about 10 minutes of time trudging around in that pouring rain relying on a barely audible Siri, who would've been stuffed in our pocket as to avoid water damage.  I repeat, "Compliments save time."  

Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic University institution of higher learning in the United States.  In 1789, the same year as the birth of our nation, John Carroll, the founder of the University, secured the 60 acres of land on a hilltop with an amazing full view of the city of Georgetown.  Classes began in 1792, with a an attendance rate of more than 40 students traveling from as far as the West Indies.  In 1817, the school awarded it's first Bachelor's degrees.  The school's colors, blue and gray, were chosen by the students to celebrate the end of the Civil War. Blue represents Union, and gray represents the Confederate. 

Georgetown has grown to be a major international research university with eight schools, a linked hospital, as well as a highly ranked academic programs.  With five locations stationed around Georgetown, the school has more than 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled and employs about 5,000 facility and staff members.  Under the leadership of John J. DeGioia, Georgetown continues to see rapid growth and expansion, which we definitely experienced, and at the time did not appreciate, because of the construction happening during our visit.  Because it was raining, when we arrived to the campus cold and dripping, we were desperate for a dry and warm place to chill for some time before embarking on the rest of our adventure. 

Our last stop was Tudor Place. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we realized they closed earlier than what was stated on the website, but we still were able to take some pictures. Tudor Place’s archive and collections are a resource for studies in the history of the United States, the District of Columbia and Georgetown, as well as for scholarship in decorative arts, art history and American culture. The garden path looked like a nice place to visit in the summer, so I would definitely recommend coming back! Hey! Let's plan a trip for the summer of next year! You and I! 
This metro journey, although yucky and tiring, was so much fun! I mean, come one, who doesn't love Georgetown!? Until next time, my loves!