We kicked off the day by saying our farewells to the extremely friendly staff at the Alexander Inn and trundled off with all our bags back towards 13th Street Station to get the Subway. Through sheer paranoia I was constantly counting the bags to make sure we’d not left one behind again. Had to swap over our Boston train tickets at 30th Street Station because they’re putting us on a bus for a portion of the journey. For some reason, the people who work for Amtrak (the train company) are extremely angry people who have no real time for customers and their questions (no matter how straightforward). First the woman behind the window got the changeover wrong then she got mad at me because I was trying to find out what coach number we need for the train portion as it wasn’t detailed (that’s not anal, it’s important on their trains). If this happened in England I’d probably start raising my voice back, but I was nearer laughter than anger in all honesty.
Anyway, the train from Philadelphia to Washington DC took around two hours and passed through some fairly unremarkable places and countryside as well as Baltimore. The housing neighbourhoods on approach to the city are amongst the worst I have ever seen in my life. Parts of them looked as though a bomb had actually dropped and nobody had bothered to clean up the destruction, with much of it completely boarded up.
Knew we were approaching Washington Union Station when the Washington Memorial came into view. Union Station itself is another magnificent place. Another predominantly marble structure is filled with stunning interior decor and enough shops and restaurants to fill a shopping centre (it also has a multi-screen cinema).
The Washington underground is an absolute doddle to use as opposed to New York. Same as London in fact; colour-coordinated lines and the like. Anyway, we trekked up the slope to our hotel in what were absolutely freezing conditions through the pretty Dupont Circle district of the city and on to the Washington Hilton. Don’t think I’ve ever been inside a Hilton before, although I did see a video of a man who has once, but we won’t go into details about that.
Took a quick rest and then went back into downtown Washington and through the National Mall for a magic (but very cold) evening’s walk past the magnificent Capitol Building and up to the dominant spectacle of the looming Washington Monument. Think we are going to plump for one of them city tours to get our bearings and take in the sights tomorrow. I hear old Barack is coming home tomorrow from Iraq (or eye rack as they say here), so we may see him outside the White House when he’s out having a fag or something.
Went back to Union Station to get some dinner in the food hall and had the biggest, most colon-destroying burger from a place called Johnny Rockets you are ever likely to see. Went from here back to hotel to settle in for the night. What makes me laugh about the Hilton is how much everything costs outside of your room charge. Here are some of my favourites:
Fruit Smoothie: $11.50
Salmon Bagel: $17.50
Omelette $17.00
Cristal Champagne: $325
Whack your sales tax on that and local sales tax plus a 20% tip for the flunky to deliver your goods and you’ve got a fairly light wallet. It’s no wonder the Hilton family can afford for their brats to live the high-life without having to do a day’s work. There is also a Hilton TV channel, where you are able to view films of ‘an adult nature’ (for a charge obviously). I guess I’d have to take my comments back about the Hilton kids not doing a day’s work if they’re showing ‘One Night in Paris’ on pay-per view. Suppose she has to be good at something? Anyway, I’m off to try and see if I can find football highlights on the internet.
