A Shining Beacon in Foggy Bottom
Friday, after my lovely afternoon at Fort McNair, I returned to the office and had to run an errand to get a particular piece of equipment from the nearest Home Depot. I found the Rhode Island Ave. location and got quick pointers to the Metro and off I went.
First I have to say: nice Metro DC! Carpeted, cell phone reception, AIR CONDITIONING! (It’s really not a dry heat out here.) Plus all the travelers are so polite, standing on the right of the escalators, waiting to the sides of the doors to let folks out before moving all the way into the center of the car. I’m really impressed!
So I got out to Home Depot, which was luckily close to the station, and the item I need is not available for sale because the sales rep is gone for the day. He leaves at 3:00pm (it was about 6:00.) I’m standing there going “Are you FRAKKING kidding me?” I need to spend about $350 on a specific thing (a Hilti Laser Range Meter for crying out loud) And the Hilti sales rep is the only guy with a key to unlock all his miracle treasures to sell to us common people. There was no way for me to part with $350. Crap and damn. So I schlep back to the Metro and exit at my stop: “Foggy Bottom”
Second I have to say: Any city that has a neighborhood called “Foggy Bottom” is okay by me. And that it turns out to be my stop? Even better.
Follow me after the jump for the Shining Beacon…
Well, I was still a bit cranky after my disappointing Home Depot adventure, not to mention very hot and very sticky, and I was about to go back to my hotel and order up some room service. Now, I’m being put at a fab hotel and I’m getting per diem, but the room service is P R I C E Y and I’m trying to save money, so I can’t decide if I just go, have a quick shower, then dress and go out to find a place to eat, or just suck up the cost and stay in. My dogs are barking and I really want to stay in. As I’m debating this in my head, I notice people walking toward me with Trader Joe’s bags. Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuude! No Way! I stop the the third person I see “WHERE IS THE TRADER JOE’S!?!? I mean, ahem, excuse me Miss, where is the TJ’s?” 25th and M, a mere block and a half from my hotel….heaven. And there it was,
in all its glory. I bought a few snacks, fruit and some wine and a reusable bag to take it to my room with. I felt right at home (we have two TJ’s within about 2 miles of our house in LA) and knew what I wanted and then got in line. Holy cow that was a long line, but it moved quickly and soon I was in my room, drinking a glass of Big House Red and eating Cheese Puffs (1/2 the fat!). Thanks Foggy Bottom Trader Joe’s! Thanks for saving my Friday!
Whoa whoa, I was right there around the same time! Did you see that crazy line?
I’m confused about how sarcastic the second paragraph is supposed to be. I can’t imagine that either all those things were true or all of them were untrue.
Second paragraph is totally sincere. All of those things were true.
I live in LA and I live in a part of LA where mass transit is not so easy or convenient. Luckily, I work at home, so commuting is *really* short. I appreciate coming to cities where there is a train to jump onto to get to where I need to go. That is a big, awesome deal and I really do appreciate it.
Plus, when it is this hot and muggy, I love love love me some air conditioning. Have you ever been on the subway in Mexico City? You’ll appreciate DC Metro if you have….
The main sentence I was wondering about was “Plus all the travelers are so polite, standing on the right of the escalators, waiting to the sides of the doors to let folks out before moving all the way into the center of the car.” You must have been having a really good day. The other stuff just requires being a little lucky and getting a new train (unlike the usual ones where the carpet is decidely not a plus), but that one seems like it would require a minor miracle.
The TJ line is damn long, but I love how you scored the Big House Red. Bonny Doon is my fav!
Love the DC posts, Julia. Missing you in LA.
Nini: You are bringing back so many D.C. memories for me! I used to stay at the Fairmont on M Street. Swanky hotel with expensive room service. Have you been to Georgetown yet? It’s a good place to walk/run for some exercise along the water, then stop for an adult refreshment and some pupus!