Fiesta!!!

Last Sunday I had the most profound experience in the streets of D.C. After traveling 7 metro stops or so to Columbia Heights I hoped to find Fiesta D.C. to be well worth the ride. We exited the metro escalator and walked with the "herd" a couple of blocks on a warm, inviting day. The air was fresh and we could hear drums coming from a few blocks up. I thought, of course, it was just going to be any old festival, plagued by cheap vendors trying to make a quick American buck.

Like a scene from a movie, the seas of people parted and we were mere onlookers as a frenzy of feathers, glimmer, and music shimmied by us. The fiesta parade was filled with 10+ piece drum cores, dancing women and these FANTASTIC but very skimpy feather numbers. Bam. Culture. Surrounding the parade was an endless line of grills, pina coladas, and fresh papaya. Bam. More culture. It was one of the most spectacular things I've ever experienced. As we wandered through the various smoothie vendors, smoke, and margarita stalls, I began to take note of the people around and the music; everything, everyone was Spanish (or Latino, Chicano, South American etc.) and speaking Spanish. Whoa.

Though one may feel intimidated, I felt alive and filled with complete admiration for how rich culture can potentially be. Could anyone not smile at a moment like that? Alas, my experience came full circle when hunger drove me to a small family taco stand. Nerves grew as I knew I was going to order in Spanish. Four years of French? Hell, I can do Spanish, right? Yeah, I still panicked. The phrase was simple, but the man understood and smiled. It was one of the most gratifying things I've done. Doing uncomfortable things and taking the occasional risk provides for the greatest rewards.



How extraordinary. I went home, satisfied with the most delicious tacos I've ever had IN MY LIFE. That was truly one of the greatest days I've ever had. Viva la Vida D.C.

I'm back.

Wow, I was a kid in high school once? Ha, I just discovered that I still have this blog after weeks of wanting to make another one. Well, quite simply, it's time to shed light on the crazy, wonderful, heartbreaking and beautiful adventures I've gone on and will go on soon. Though I cannot claim to be 100% mature adult (who would ever want to claim to be boring anyway?) I will admit my previous posts were quite ridiculous. I keep them in order to remind me of my deep, goofy roots.

For now, this blog will cover my time in D.C. Let the fun begin.

-Al