Around the World in 2 Days

Cultural Tourism DC is hosting Passport DC ("an exploration through Washington, DC’s international culture") throughout the month of May. Two of the Passport DC events included all-access passes to the international Embassies.

Shortcut to Europe: EU Embassies Open House
On Saturday, May 7th, Trevor and I explored the European Union embassies. We took a free shuttle northwest toward the Naval Observatory and visited the Finland, England, and Denmark embassies. The Finland Embassy is the first LEED certified gold embassy. It is beautifully designed with a very modern feel. It even has a glass balcony (including glass floors and ceilings) that overlooks the luscious rock creek park. While we were out on the balcony, we saw a deer! We tried some of the food, but most of it had some sort of fish on it.

Next, we walked to the very crowded U.K. and Scotland Embassy. This Embassy was huge and looked very traditional. We met some U.S. olympians and future Olympians at the London 2012 Olympics table, played soccer and won a free shirt, and wandered through the rose gardens. We also got a free photo of the two of us standing in front of St. Andrews University, wrote and sent postcards, and took photos with a princess.

We also walked a few blocks to the Denmark Embassy. Denmark is the "happiest country in the world." Trevor took a bike test and received his official Denmark bike license. We got to tour the Ambassador's home (which is right next to the Embassy - a short walk to work!). Then, we walked back to Dupont Circle, crossed the bridge over Rock Creek Park, and saw that the lines to the Greek and Irish Embassies were way too long to wait it so we called it a day.

Slideshow: www.flickr.com/EUEmbassies


Around the World Embassy Tour
Today, Trev and I explored Embassies from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The Embassies that we visited were just a short walk from our apartment. We started at the Nicaragua Embassy and it was fabulous. We got bags of free stuff, tried lots of free food, and even got a giant Nicaragua hat as we left. The music was rocking outside and it was a very friendly atmosphere inside. We lucked out because when we passed by the Embassy 2 hours later, the line wrapped around the block.

Next, we visited Argentina, where we watched a tango show and tried some Argentinian food. We walked right across the street to the Botswana Embassy and saw a traditional dance and learned how the beautifully designed bowls that decorated the walls were made (each bowl's design represents markings from a certain animal). We walked a few blocks to the Australian Embassy and Trev tried some Vegemite. Yikes.

We were drawn to Trinidad and Tobago near the Australian Embassy because they had a full steel drums band playing loud music and they were all set up for a big party. We went inside and took a picture with a giant carnival costume. They even had kids dancing on stilts out front. It was quite a spectacle. And finally we quickly explored Micronesia's Embassy on our way back to our apartment.

Slideshow: www.flickr.com/WorldEmbassies


Next Up
We are touring the Pentagon this week and visiting the Arlington Cemetery. This is our last week in DC, so expect one last DC post at the end of the week :)