I really really hate my in-laws

Maybe you should marinate them longer

I'm not sure the marinade is enough to combat the passive-aggressive, it's all about us flavor. Got any other suggestions.

Sorry, Babs. I'll let it go and be happy with my day and quit defiling your happy party trip thread with my sourness.

It's just that I'm really REALLY frustrated by circumstances (which I know you well know). Anyhoo...

*breathes*

Come hell or high water (or my Grandma dying before her 90th birthday party and sending my Aunt's plan straight down the drain), I will be in Iowa on the night of July 5th.

Right now, I'm hoping that Chris and I can fly into chicago on the 3rd, hang out with you guys on the 4th for most of the day, drive to Iowa that night, etc. If push comes to shove, we may be stuck flying into Iowa instead. We'll see what happens.

Not sure about TLOML, but I have every intention to be at Nel's for the weekend of the 4th. (the booby-dress might have other plans, however. )

quote:

Originally posted by Emerald:
Oh yeah, this is soon!

Anything you want to see particularly in D.C., BtB?

(Have you been before? Have I asked already?)

Do we know who's going to be in D.C. at the time?

Haven't decided yet! And no, I've never been. Is there anything you'd particularly want to go see with us?
I was hoping Ophelia and CountZero have time. When are you likely to have time between the 25th and the 2nd?

And aw, we get to meet Jocelyn and Alaura! And Lan.
Awesome.

BtB, you MUST go to the Library of Congress. It's just down the block from the Mall, and you would have a field day with your camera. It's a relatively overlooked tourist attraction compared to, say, the Lincoln Memorial.

butting in really late... what are the dates for this again? for NYC and DC?

I think we're getting back around the 28th and I don't start theatre stuff until later, so 28 maybe 29th-2nd. Most likely.

What sort of things do you like?

There are various memorials, museums and galleries (especially the the Smithsonian ones) , etc.

What sort of things did you want to do? There are the various tourist attractions, but you probably don't want to spend all your time on those...

My experiences, in terms of touristy things:
The White House tour is not worth it.
Sitting in on the Supreme Court is awesome, but not something to do on vacation. I did it for a constitutional law class.
Pick one museum or maybe two per day if you want, and explore them.
Most museums are free, but the food is extremely overpriced to make up for it.
Doing almost all the memorials in one day is possible, but not fun.

OMG. I just realized you're in D.C. at FolkFest time...

42nd Annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Go. 'tis AWESOME. I might not be able to go with you depending on which day you go... but you should go anyways. Lovely views of the Washington Monument and tons of interesting stuff. Don't bother with the gift shop unless you really have to. It's hot and stuffy and the lines are looong.


ETA: Cho suggested getting together for dinner one night (me, Cho, Mr. Cho, others maybe, we'd have to arrange) and then I could show you whatever we decide to do later in the week. Cho wants to meet you but has to work all week.

And I would drag everybody to downtown Takoma Park but I don't think that that is everyone's idea of a good time...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Emerald,

If you get tired of tourist traps in DC, I recommend “Ben’s Chili Bowl” a Washington D.C. landmark located on the working-side of town. Its in many of the tourist guides ,but is passed-up for US$150 lunches at Georgetown bistros.

Ben’s is an ethnic establishment (Black American), that serves-up what is probably the best chili-drenched hot dogs on the East Coast. And, it is remarkably inexpensive, and well-run.

On a Saturday afternoon, and the place is usually in full swing. It can be shoulder-to-shoulder at the counter, but you can usually get a seat quickly.

Order two of Ben’s Famous All Meat Chili Dogs (comes with crisps) with Cole Slaw inside the bun, and a Chocolate Thick Creamy Milk Shake. This should cost about US$10. You won't be disappointed.

Everything is served-up quickly in disposable paper and plastic cups, napkins, and wrapping. Everything is good, and portions were large, although the crisps themselves are not very large. Plenty of napkins are needed as Chili and Cole Slaw will escape the confines of the bun with every bite.

The menu included several other interesting items, including vegetarian options. What I think was most interesting is the Chili-Cheese Fries (US$4.35). This is a real artery-clogger.

A better value than the food, is the entertainment value of watching the crowd. This is usually about 50% local (mostly Black), 25% students and artistes, and the rest were the leaner and more adventurous tourists.

Watching the working-side of the counter can keep you in your seat all afternoon.

I recommend a visit. Ben’s serves up truly American food in a city that tries to be American, but is really something different.

Oh, lunch at the American Indian museum on the Mall is also good.

quote:

Originally posted by Babylon the Bride:
And aw, we get to meet Jocelyn and Alaura! And Lan.
Awesome.

Oh my goodness (or lack thereof).

This will be a trip that I'm going to remember for quite a while.

ETA: Unless it's in the other places first. Even so, that will be cool Babylon. I look forward to the Chicago trip myself.

Will be a party and a half

quote:

Originally posted by Black Jacque:
I recommend a visit. Ben’s serves up truly American food in a city that tries to be American, but is really something different.

Ooh, that sounds good.
Food advice is always appreciated. Tourist traps annoy me.

quote:

Emerald sez:
OMG. I just realized you're in D.C. at FolkFest time...

42nd Annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

I'll have to check that out, definitely. Thanks!
I'll see whether we can all do dinner one night, that would be cool. Can you recommend any places that aren't superexpensive but still nice? I'm not such a fan of burgers but otherwise I pretty much like anything.

For the most part, my cousin and her husband will be touring us about, so I'll have to check with them, too, what they've got planned. I'm working out our itinerary.

quote:

Maeve sez:
butting in really late... what are the dates for this again? for NYC and DC?

Ooooh!

The dates are:
19th-25th June NYC
25th-2nd July DC
2nd-6th July Chicago

I'll put that in the first post, too. Do you think you can come? Would be so cool.

And Alaura, yeah, definitely the Library of Congress. Thanks!

Not too expensive: Red Sea in D.C. darnit! Someone's got to go have a meal there so I can live vicariously through them. Good Ethiopian is one of the things I miss most about living in D.C. (or any major city, really).

quote:

Good Ethiopian is one of the things I miss most about living in D.C. (or any major city, really).

Writing about the sex should be restricted to the FLAME forum. ;-)

I second the FolkFest recommendation from Emerald.

As for myself, I have no idea what my schedule will be like, or even whether I'll still be working at the same place at that time, but I'll do my best to drive up, even if it's just for dinner or whatever.

In NYC, I recommend "McSorley's Ale House" a NYC landmark fur ein bier.. Its on 7th St., between Second and Third aves (East side).

I guess you could call it a pub. Its an old saloon that still has a load of stuff in it from pre-history. They have an amazing amount of stuff in there. Send your husband to the men's room to check-out the plumbing.

I like the dark beer better than the light, although my mates insist they taste the same. Don't order any of the food. (An onion sandwich is not haute cuisine.)

Its written up in the tourist guides. Don't go there on the weekends, its madness.

In Chicago, you need to eat 'Chicago-style Deep-dish Pizza' at least once.

This is not a flat Greek or Italian style pizza. Its a pizza made in a pie pan. Its actually very good, and its filling.

There can be considerable argument over who makes the best Chicago-style pie. You should ask whoever is your Guide.

I personally like Lou Manati's, on North Wells.
Others will insist the non-chain Pizzeria Uno on E.Ohio or the Gino's on N. Wells is better. The last time in Chicago I went to Gino's. I still think Manati's is better.

Be prepared for a wait, it takes awhile to make.