Editor's Note: This is the latest in Nuzhat's new series of daily journal entries. She hopes to inspire others to write down and share simple observations of daily life. Try doing the same and sharing your own 'slice of daily life' with XUNICEF members. No time or energy to write? Just snap a photo and share it instead.
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I had a doctor’s appointment in D.C. I decided to take the metro. We live about 12 miles from downtown Washington D.C. in Vienna town center––technically it’s in northern Virginia but considered as greater/metropolitan D.C. For years we lived in downtown D.C. I love the city. My friends call me ––the city girl.
Metro has been my companion, always. I travelled on metro to numerous nooks and corners of Washington D.C.––streets, restaurants and shopping malls, historical places and museums, theaters, fairs, festivals and carnivals, airports and the Union station––the hub of inter-state train connections. . .
I have attended protests––against gun violence at the U.S. supreme court, post Trump election (2016), and parades on 4th of July, on Climate change, and celebrations of diversity, heritage . . . by hopping on to metro to reach my destinations.
D.C. Metro service is one of the best and busiest public transportation in the country. Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, Red and Yellow metro lines travel through the tunnels and above-ground tracks connecting the four quadrants of D.C. and the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland. Metro is efficient, economical, faster and the most convenient option.
During Covid era, my travels overall were restricted. Staying alive was our main focus. We still wear masks while on metro––the fear now is reduced but we are cautious.
After visiting my doctor, I walked over to the nearby metro station and took the red line to Dupont circle. When my son was a post grad student at the George Washington University, we used to live close to Dupont. I remember my walks on the vibrant streets, friendly chats with strangers/tourists, inhaling the aroma of exotic cuisines and cafes oozing out on the streets. Even very late at night the streets were safe. I have watched Obama’s motorcade passing us several times and clapped and cheered with the crowd. It was one of the most popular events, especially for tourists . . .
Covid has changed the culture of D.C. People work from home. On Fridays, it’s a dead city, almost. In 2019 the city welcomed 25.1 million visitors (22.8 million domestic; 2.3 million international). During Covid (2021) it was down by 23% due to fear of the pandemic and mismanagement of the of the virus by Trump and his administration. Last year (2023) the city received 25.9 million visitors.
. . . I walked around the known grounds . . . photographed the surrounding streets, the park . . . Bank of America, CVS store . . . Starbucks café . . . were still there.
I inhaled the familiar air. Love for Dupont invaded my veins.
I had a doctor’s appointment in D.C. I decided to take the metro. We live about 12 miles from downtown Washington D.C. in Vienna town center––technically it’s in northern Virginia but considered as greater/metropolitan D.C. For years we lived in downtown D.C. I love the city. My friends call me ––the city girl.
Metro has been my companion, always. I travelled on metro to numerous nooks and corners of Washington D.C.––streets, restaurants and shopping malls, historical places and museums, theaters, fairs, festivals and carnivals, airports and the Union station––the hub of inter-state train connections. . .
I have attended protests––against gun violence at the U.S. supreme court, post Trump election (2016), and parades on 4th of July, on Climate change, and celebrations of diversity, heritage . . . by hopping on to metro to reach my destinations.
D.C. Metro service is one of the best and busiest public transportation in the country. Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, Red and Yellow metro lines travel through the tunnels and above-ground tracks connecting the four quadrants of D.C. and the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland. Metro is efficient, economical, faster and the most convenient option.
During Covid era, my travels overall were restricted. Staying alive was our main focus. We still wear masks while on metro––the fear now is reduced but we are cautious.
After visiting my doctor, I walked over to the nearby metro station and took the red line to Dupont circle. When my son was a post grad student at the George Washington University, we used to live close to Dupont. I remember my walks on the vibrant streets, friendly chats with strangers/tourists, inhaling the aroma of exotic cuisines and cafes oozing out on the streets. Even very late at night the streets were safe. I have watched Obama’s motorcade passing us several times and clapped and cheered with the crowd. It was one of the most popular events, especially for tourists . . .
Covid has changed the culture of D.C. People work from home. On Fridays, it’s a dead city, almost. In 2019 the city welcomed 25.1 million visitors (22.8 million domestic; 2.3 million international). During Covid (2021) it was down by 23% due to fear of the pandemic and mismanagement of the of the virus by Trump and his administration. Last year (2023) the city received 25.9 million visitors.
. . . I walked around the known grounds . . . photographed the surrounding streets, the park . . . Bank of America, CVS store . . . Starbucks café . . . were still there.
I inhaled the familiar air. Love for Dupont invaded my veins.
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