Long weekend continues

Saturday's touristy activity entailed a trip to the National Museum of the American Indian. The main purpose of our trip was to eat in the cafeteria, which we had heard was absolutely amazing. Although it was good food, it was quite pricey. We probably won't be frequent guests.

Though we had been told this was one of the worst Smithsonians, I significantly enjoyed it. All of the beaded dresses and moccasins (Rach, you would have LOVED them...I took pics) were so intricate, and we saw the coolest movie on how the Native Americans handled the changing of the seasons. The *theater* had a normal screen in front of us, a screen on the ceiling, and a *screen* on this enormous rock under the main screen. So we were able to watch three separate things at the same time. It was great! However, it made us Midwestern girls miss being at home in the open land as opposed to the crowded city.

After NMAI, the group traveled to the United States Botanic Garden. Although everything outside was dead and ugly, it was absolutely beautiful inside! Dispersed among all of the plants and flowers, there were big colorful letters with informational signs near them. This was a surprising twist to this botanical center, and it made for some lovely photo ops for members of the group :)

I decided that all of the museums and other places we've been seem like they are so much more important than touristy locations in other cities because they are all called *The National....* or *The United States....* It just makes them seem more unique. Finally six of us went and saw Definitely, Maybe on Friday night, while the others went to some 80s dance party. The movie was cute and the club turned out to be lame, so I made the right decision in going to the movie. When my student ID knocked the price of my ticket down to $8, I really missed my $2 days in I-town. Love/miss you cabbies!

On Sunday morning, the Wesleyan girls and I went to the Eastern Market for the first time. I was surprised to find so much jewelry and hats/scarves, as we had been told it was the best place for fresh meat and produce. We also found that, but it was a really cool place. After I get my first paycheck (THIS WEDNESDAY!!!), I'll have to go back for the good stuff :)

We detoured to CVS on the way home, and even ran into some of our fellow CHIPmates. When you run into people you know in a public place, then you know you're at home. I loved this feeling! Anyway, we had planned to see one of the art museums Sunday afternoon, but everyone decided to stay home and take it easy for the rest of the day. This allowed me to do my laundry for the first time, to tidy up the basement that had formerly looked like a tornado had struck, and to vacuum our apartment and the basement with my new vacuum cleaner. LOVED IT!