So we decided to take a little break from the Mall and venture out onto the Metro to the Eastern Market. This is supposed to be the longest running outdoor market in the United States, more than 100 years old. This was a great treat! It was only two stops from the hotel - about 1.5 miles but I wanted to have G take the Metro. Ale didn't join us - he was pretty tired from all the walking and wanted to rest up. We left at about 9:30 and got to the market before 10 a.m. The first thing that met us was the smell of food. Right on the corner was Le Pain Quotidien, where they had real food - omlettes, fresh baked bread, coffee, pastries. G and I could not pass it up so we decided to start with a YUMMY good for my TUMMY breakfast! He had been craving pancakes but alas there were none to be had but the food was great. Then off to the market we went where we found a couple of treasures - an original art piece for Ara (which I hope she appreciates) and a tibetan singing bowl for G's birthday. Then back on the metro to hit the museums one more time.
When we got back we had planned to go to the Natural History Museum (Ale's choice) so off we went with a first stop at the Sculpture Garden where they have Jazz in the Garden in the evening -cool. Ale had lunch, we had a drink and enjoyed the sunny day. It was beautiful and warm and I love being on vacation and there was no rain in sight.
The Natural History Museum is a place filled with so much knowledge it is almost overwhelming. Either that or it was all the school age kids that were all over that museum like ants to a hill. Of which there was an ant exhibit. There were ancient one celled creatures/animals, giant ancient mammals, dinosaurs, dead people raised from their graves, egyptian mummies, insects, almost everything imaginable about the natural world. We could have stayed longer but Ale walks through the museum pretty fast - and he is always ahead of us. I sometimes wonder what does through his mind? We're pretty much an interesting bunch. Gil and Ale have a natural quietness and singlness about them. We don't go through anything together but at our own pace. Ale is ahead, then comes me then we end up waiting for G to catch up.
When we walked out I have to admit we were a glad - too many noisey kids. The Mall is Kid City. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of kids walking, eating, chatting, laughing, carrying on everywhere. Nice to see but after awhile great to get away from.
So we walked again down to seventh street to hit our next restaurant - Oyomar a rather chic Mexican restaurant. It had been recommended to me by Rita who I met in Boston. We got to the restaurant and they specialize in antojitos, like tapas, small portions. Ok, so of course we are picky about our mexican restaurants so I was being vigilant, can these washingtonians "do" Mexican? This was a nice place but comfortable. Our waiter Alex was very attentive, just like the night before. So we ordered mole poblano, elote con calabazas, tacos, frijoles, and tortillas. All was very good except maybe the tortillas could have been better. But the dessert was another to-die-for dish - a mexican chocolate cake with mole poblano and nuts, excelente!!! Another top 100 restaurant in D.C. I like this!!
So you'd think that we would be exhausted by now, but I couldn't miss the chance to head up to the Capital Building. Ale went ahead since he was tired and G and I head to the Capital. It was a beautiful evening, couples, runners, families are out enjoying this time. We walk up right below President Obama was just inaugurated in Februaray. And then it starts - the alarms go off, lights flash, guards are visible and we have no idea what is going on. So we just keep on walking around the Capital and I mean AROUND because they are not letting us get onto the steps. Walking around I realize we are really close to the Supreme Court building!!! Gotta go there and check it out. we have only one more day and we got to take advantage of the time. Our not so little feet HURT! But worthwhile!
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