My first week in D.C.

I would like to THANK ALL who made it possible for me to make it to Washington, DC. I've been here for just about a week now and have already cover a lot of touristy ground! :)

My adventure began with a red eye flight from Monday the 1st into Tuesday, caught a sleepy taxi who refused to use his windshield wipers into town (Takoma area where my hostel was) at about 7am, only to find check-in time was at 3pm. Needless to say I made several friends in that 8 hour period, including the window fan.

Other than that, I must say that I have no clear collection of Tuesday.

Before I continue I must warn that I really do enjoy a good map if one can be found, but other than that my initial first instinct is to spend the first day with no research, to see if anything is appealing that I otherwise would not be drawn to...

Onward...

On my Wednesday journal there seems to be a slight hint of delirium when I visited the Capitol building. I started out at about 7:30am. It was pouring rain and I had forgotten an umbrella, and wore shorts and a t-shirt. I walked in circles around the capitol building until I was stopped by guards who then pointed me in the correct direction of the "visitor's entrance," where all us visitors sat in the pouring rain until opening. (There were signs, but where I had started from; I had chosen the one path that had no signs ahaha)

Next I found the United States Botanical Garden. Very tiny, but beautiful selections. I really enjoyed the second level of the jungle room.

This tree had so much beauty!

At about 10:45 I arrived at National Museum of Native Americans! This still is my favorite that I've seen so far. I started out on a special guided tour but I was so hungry, I abandoned the group and devoured (enjoyed) a chivachanga with beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream, and grilled yellow squash.

Somewhere around 3pm I made it to the National Museum of American History, which was kind of disappointing. Half of it was closed down for remodeling, so there wasn't a whole lot to look at, then again it was at the end of my day. There was however some wonderful clay people, and a tour guide who broke out into a soulful song. I will definitely try a part 2, not the day before the 4th of July.

In bed by 7:30 pm :)









I spent my Fourth of July with two roommates from my hostel.

This is Kristina and Meleah.

We visited the National Museum of American Indians, which was just as good the second time!







We also visited the Hirshhorn Art Museum which actually gave me about 10 new ideas.

Edward and Nancy Reddin Kienholz ^
The Blue Duck Chair
1980

Ann Hamilton's palimpsest, 1989 >
Snails and cabbage included.




The owners of our hostel, Ron and Lori, hosted a Fourth of July Bar-Ba-Que! Which then turned into a quick food-nap before our big journey back out to the Washington Monument. The Fireworks lasted exactly 17 minutes. Which then turned into a disastrous mob of people and children with the intent to get home the fastest. Thousands of people crammed together to fit into 6 lines guarded by police leading underground. Not my favorite situation. However I did enjoy the spectacle of two black officers and two Latin American officers spouting racial remarks back and forth. It was incredibly professional and creative.


Blueberry Shaq Soda

Friday July 5, was a travel day from my hostel to my apartment. Good, hot day. Perfect evening for grocery shopping... I have Popeye forearms. :)





Saturday, I traveled with one of my roommates, Cassandra, and her boyfriend AJ. We got a late start which really can turn your progress up-side-down. We went to the National Aquarium which was almost not worth it. It was nice to spend some quality time with the sharks and baby camien.

Creatures from the Amazon!

We went to the White House, which was not only uninteresting, because its a white house with a black gate around it, but incredibly crowded. I will say that it had a lovely view of the clouds! If I was a resident of the White House, I'd send someone or go myself, and yell at all the people who left their garbage all over the ground. It speaks volumes when our president sleeps next to a garbage patch. Granted there are some trash and recycling bins, but they all seem to be overflowing. So no excuses. Tourists-shmorists.

Unfortunately, my camera died shortly after this. We visited the WWII memorial which was beautiful, and is also the place that I discovered the definition for the word wading. We then walked next to the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. Then onward across the bridge to Arlington Cemetery where we watched the changing of the guard. This second half of our trip where my camera died will definitely be done again. Ideally early in the morning, and maybe in sections.

Now this morning is when I finish up my pre-readings for class tomorrow!
I had my plain greek yogurt with honey, flaxseed pumpkin granola, and fresh necterine slices, and mango carrot juice!
Have a great day!
-Rainey Jayne

Hello All,
I would like to thank everyone for their incredible generosity and encouragement! I have come to the halfway mark of my financial goal and can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I will continue to update my progress as I get closer and document the actions of my adventure.  I am growing more and more excited about my opportunity and am especially excited to learn as much as I can about non- violent direct action and the most effective strategies in environmental justice.
SO I will keep posting my link on facebook in case Ive been over looked!
Help me spread the word and lets get me to D.C.!

-Rainey 

 

This summer I have the exciting opportunity to be a part of the Greenpeace Semester! This program is a training course for young adults interested in environmental activism. As you will find out, amongst all other issues, I find deforestation to be a crucial concern. With the decline in tree population we have an increase in water pollution (rivers-drinking water resources), air pollution (no more roots to keep the soil grounded), and animal endangerment, I know there must be solution. The Greenpeace Semester seems like the perfect opportunity for me.


What will I be doing? I’ll take part in workshops on everything from working with volunteers, getting my story in the media, lobbying decision makers, and inspiring others to take action. During the summer, we will also learn about the issues Greenpeace addresses worldwide. My class will also travel to work on a real campaign somewhere in the United States. In the past, classes have gotten a chance to organize fellow students to march in Washington, DC against the Capitol coal plant, support communities fighting against an unsafe nuclear power plant in Vermont, and help out organizing the largest day of action for the climate in history. The Greenpeace Semester is where I will learn how to address the environmental issues that affect all of us.
However, it won’t be possible without your support. I’m reaching out for your help to raise the funds I need to attend the program. I plan on coming back to our community with the skills I’ve learned to bring the fight for a sustainable future home. With your help, this could be a reality. I’ve set a fundraising goal of $3,500. I am working hard to make sure I can reach this goal by applying for scholarships and asking for more hours at work, but I need your help. I’m asking you to dig deep and donate (/$20/$10/$5 - whatever you feel comfortable with here, any amount helps!) to help get me a step closer to making this amazing opportunity a reality. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, visit www.greenpeace.org/usa/semester . Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your donation to our shared future in advance. I’ll be sure to keep you posted about the incredible things we do this summer!