It is true that the day before a storm arrives, the weather is usually deceptively beautiful. Here in Colorado, we usually call it “the warm before the storm”, but the idea is still the same. This was definitely true this weekend as we took these pictures the night before we got another foot of snow. That is right, the last weekend of April and we have a foot of snow in our backyard. These pictures are from the night before the storm. The clouds were already gathering, but that made for a beautiful sunset.
Perhaps it is a metaphor for the excitement before our trip to South America. We leave tomorrow to start our trip and we’re in the process of taking care of the final items on our preparation list. This is actually one of the longer trips that we’ve taken, so there has been quite a bit to take care of before we leave. Today we are relaxed and excited for the adventures ahead of us, but tomorrow will probably start the butterflies in our stomach as the anticipation builds. We’ll post a few pictures from the trip as we can, but we might be out of touch from time to time.
Best wishes to everyone and we’ll share the stories of our trip as soon as we return.
When travelling, we try to go to a show that depicts the history and culture of the people where we are visiting. They can be a little bit hokey at times, but they are also pretty informative. When we were in Puerto Vallarta a few years ago, we had two different experiences, but they were both a lot of fun. First we took a tour on a pirate ship that combined some pirate swashbuckling with a show about their Incan ancestors. Then later in the trip, we took a cruise to a remote location south of Puerto Vallarta for dinner and a show. Most cultures are extremely proud of their heritage, so they put a lot of effort into shows such as these.
The Pirate Ship at the PortSailing Out to SeaPuerto VallartaIncan Ritual
On the pirate ship, they started by doing some interactive activities to get people to loosen up and relax. As is always the case whenever there is something interactive that we attend, Dona is selected to participate. First they threatened to toss her overboard before pulling her up to the “stage”. Then they had her sing La Cucaracha with ice in her mouth and, if that wasn’t enough, they gave her a poncho and had her do a mock-striptease. There is nothing to do except to take it in all in with a smile, it is all in good fun.
Dona Being Tossed OverboardSinging La CucarachaSun Setting on the Ship
After the ice-breakers, we enjoyed some drinks and looked around at the splendid views from the ship. As the sun started going down, the pirate show began. It was a lot of tongue-and-cheek humor and leaping around waving swords. Probably more fun for the kids than it was for the adults, but it was interesting enough. It was certainly more about entertainment than culture or education.
The Pirate Show BeginsSword FightPirate
After the pirate show, the highlight of the night started with an Incan performance. There was a lot of fire, drums, and chanting. It was quite entertaining, culminating in a fireworks show.
Native DancersPlaying with FireIncan Performance
When we went to the dinner, it was quite a different experience. This show really centered on the history of the Incan ancestors and their mystical beliefs. We didn’t get too many pictures of that show, but it was quite fascinating. It was very elaborate with dancers all over the stage telling the story of their gods, complete with a pulley system swinging actors above the audience. After the show, we ate dinner on the beach and watched the sun set before heading back to Puerto Vallarta.
Drums on the BeachThe StageAerial AcrobaticsHeading to the Jungle
These cultural shows provide an opportunity for visitors to get a glimpse at traditions, folkdance, folklore, and the culture in general. It isn’t a substitute for reading about a culture in advance of visiting or taking the time to go to the museums that might be in a city, but it can be an entertaining way to reinforce what you’ve already read and learned. Worse case, it might just be a fun evening with drinks and a show.
With its array of monuments, museums, and landmarks, Washington DC is truly a world-class city. You could easily spend a couple of weeks in Washington and still not see everything that it has to offer, which is somewhat ironic for the two of us. We both lived outside of major cities growing up, one of us outside of DC and the other outside of Philadelphia and other than taking friends and family into the city when they came to visit, we avoided the tourist locations due to the crowds. So, despite living close to great cities for much of our lives, we actually saw more of those cities later, after we had moved to Colorado and then gone back as tourists ourselves.
The United States CapitalThe Reflecting Pool and the Washington MonumentLincoln MemorialWar Memorial Statues
We had taken the kids to Washington during the summer of 2001 and it was an amazing time, albeit a whirlwind trip. Unfortunately, it was one of the hottest and muggiest summers for the area, one where the heat was downright oppressive. At the time, the kids complained literally every fifteen minutes about how miserable they were due to the heat and that all they wanted to do was go inside and do nothing. But these were the days of what we like to call “education vacations”, so we were determined to see as much as possible, despite the complaints and weather. At the time it seemed like none of the children enjoyed a single moment of the trip, but years later we would find out that they actually truly appreciated everything that they saw.
The Kids with a Statue of RooseveltLincoln MemorialWashington MonumentThe Capital Dome
There is so much to see in Washington that is hard to know where to start. Being the nation’s capital, it is obviously important to see the United States Capital as well as the White House. We were there before the attacks of September 11 and access to these seats of government was greater than it is today. There is so much history associated with these great landmarks and every American should see them at least once in their lives. Seeing the National Mall and the Washington Monument is another absolute must while you’re visiting Washington. Completing the tour of the monuments by visiting the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial should put you in a patriotic mood as you pay homage to the founding fathers. While at the National Mall, you should also be sure to go to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, it is a very moving tribute to the victims of the holocaust and meant to educate people about the atrocities that man is capable of so that future generations don’t repeat the atrocities.
The White HouseUnited States CapitalThe Jefferson MemorialVietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and the Korean War Veteran’s Memorial are both beautiful and haunting. Seeing all of the names on the memorial wall of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial is something that is very meaningful to people of our generation who had family members who served at the time. Visiting the National Cemetery and watching the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is something that you will never forget. Seeing the respect that our current military pay to the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice is incredibly humbling.
Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown SoldierWall at the Vietnam Veterans MemorialKorean War Veterans MemorialGuard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Then there is Old Town Alexandria, just across the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, truly one of our favorite places. Seeing Ford’s Theatre where President Lincoln was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth is another place that will make you pause and reflect. Not everything in Washington is about the memorials, there are the Smithsonian Museums with their dazzling array of artifacts and pieces of American history. There is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which still has performances on a grand scale that are definitely worth attending. And certainly there are no shortage of restaurants to suit anyone’s tastes.
Ford’s Theatre and the Balcony where Lincoln was ShotDisplay at Ford’s TheatreThe Smithsonian MuseumSmithsonian’s Air and Space Museum
Washington DC is probably America’s greatest city. It is truly a different experience and was designed specifically to be that. From the layout of the streets that was planned by Pierre Charles L’Enfant in the Baroque style, with avenues radiating out from rectangles to the height restrictions that ensure that the Washington Monument and United States Capital are visible for all to see. Washington DC is the closest thing that the United States has to an “old world” city and it is truly a pleasure to visit and see. There is so much more to see than just the monuments and museums, too much to describe in a single post. It is truly a city that everyone should visit at some time or another and definitely a city that every American should be proud to have as our nation’s capital.
Funeral Procession at the National CemeteryFord’s Theatre SignJefferson MemorialJohn F. Kennedy Eternal Flame at the National CemeteryWashington Display
