Nice reflections. Capitol Hill books is also worth checking out. I went there all the time when I was at the Folger Shakespeare Library (it's a short walk) and was glad to find that it's still open on my last visit.
The Folger exhibit space is much larger than ever, and they now have a full bookstore. The theater season is on (with both modern plays about our cultural fascination with the Bard and his originals. I have to put a word in for my friend’s biography of Henry and Emily Folger (COLLECTING SHAKESPEARE by Stephen H. Grant). The Folgers spent their lives building a collection of publications of Shakespeare’s plays and Elizabethan books. They spent the fortune Henry earned at Standard Oil to build a public Research Library, which Emily survived to see finished during the depths of the Great Depression. It was, at the time it opened, the single largest gift in the Arts and Literature given to America.
I loved reading your observations, thank you. They give a very different perspective on the US to that which we read about in the UK. I look forward to following your adventures.
Is this your first time?? It’s delightful to hear such nice things said about one’s country. Though I suspect some of the virtues you notice could be found in Italy or elsewhere. Welcome!!
Welcome to the USA! I'm a reader of your wife's lovely blog. Not far from you all - in Maryland, and spent a lot of time in Arlington area and esp. across the bridge when going to graduate school at Georgetown. DC is one of my all-time not favorite cities after living there for years, but you can't beat the free museums. If you ever drive north to Baltimore (my 'hometown' though we're way up north in the country) I have a lot of literary recommendations. For DC - Kramer books in Dupont used to be a good spot for lunch or a beer and a book browse, but I think it's pretty overpriced now. I'll be popping down to DC for a friend's baby's birthday in Waverly tomorrow -right by the National Zoo (also very amazing and very free!). You'll have fun exploring - Teddy Roosevelt Island, the canal path, all good things over there in Arlington/NW. I so much preferred living in England when I studied abroad and am always comparing UK culture to US culture and finding us lacking... but at the end of the day, I do think Americans are friendlier :) Also - check out the Library of Congress! So many free programs (my friend who is a librarian there always wants people to know there is a lot for kids too!).
One of those women you saw walking a dog in Arlington was probably kid sister.
Second Story Book’s is a terrific store. They have a second and larger location in Rockville, Maryland. Many of the Washington bookstores went bankrupt during covid. Politics and Prose is one of the few good bookstores left.
As an American and former Arlingtonian, I remember moving to England 6 years ago and being impressed by all things British: the landscape, the history, the architecture, but most of all the kindness of the people.
Arlington is great, enjoy your time. I look forward to reading more about it.
Welcome to the States, Henry! I smiled the whole way through reading your early impressions and encounters in America. It’s so refreshing reading some nice things about Americans. We seem to be in a trend of being so negative about ourselves, at least that’s what I mostly see when I (rarely) look at the media. It’s so lovely to think maybe we Americans don’t suck as bad as we think we do. 😆
Sometime I really would like to meet in person. I’d love to hear more about the work you’ll be doing at GMU. Try and stay cool this weekend!
You will find that people hold strong views on what is known here as “tip creep.”
As others have noted, P&P is a good bookstore; there’s a clear political POV, as is the case with many US bookstores. Something you’ll want to check out is the phenomenon of “Little Free Libraries.” These are cupboards-on-posts in front of houses, along the sidewalk, and they’re filled with books. You can take one (or a couple) and/or leave one you’ve finished. You can snag some great titles in the DC area—a lot of review copies and eclectic reading habits.
This was so great to read because of the optimism and kindness that shines through.
I can relate to so many things, of course the enormous robin was a shocker, still call him the Robin XXL. The heat and humidity that completely deactivates you, everyone’s bubbling socialness etc.
I live a few blocks from you stayed in north Arlington, and the observations are spot on. Results may vary depending on the age group you’re interacting with.
Henry, my man, please help us hold the line against tipping when you buy something at a counter. This is recent; you are not expected to tip outside the traditional areas (being waited on at a restaurant, barber, etc.). Smash that no tip button with pride.
Welcome to Mason. Drop a note when settled. Would love to share w you the bigger Mason story and activity. Easy to find: google 'amarda shehu' -- when they give you an account, you just type name in Teams and can call anybody up.
If you’re living in Arlington, I cannot recommend highly enough the Courthouse Farmers Market, the Westover Farmers Market, or the Falls Church Farmers Market. They run year round; they have excellent produce and meats and sometimes have better prices than the grocery. In the summer I buy 90% of my groceries there. In the winter it drops down of course, but our somewhat temperate climate allows for some fresh produce year round. If you care about organic, then I recommend Mom’s Organic Market. It’s not cheap, but it does have wonderful stuff and a strong community focus, too.
Nice reflections. Capitol Hill books is also worth checking out. I went there all the time when I was at the Folger Shakespeare Library (it's a short walk) and was glad to find that it's still open on my last visit.
I think a friend took me there once—if so, it’s a place I’m very keen to get back to. I also really want to visit the Folger!
The Folger exhibit space is much larger than ever, and they now have a full bookstore. The theater season is on (with both modern plays about our cultural fascination with the Bard and his originals. I have to put a word in for my friend’s biography of Henry and Emily Folger (COLLECTING SHAKESPEARE by Stephen H. Grant). The Folgers spent their lives building a collection of publications of Shakespeare’s plays and Elizabethan books. They spent the fortune Henry earned at Standard Oil to build a public Research Library, which Emily survived to see finished during the depths of the Great Depression. It was, at the time it opened, the single largest gift in the Arts and Literature given to America.
Yeah I can’t wait but I don’t know if my kids will want to go
As an American I find all of this quite amusing. Thank you for the relaxing read.
Haha yes I bet
The founding fathers did their work in New York and Philadelphia! (Summers are still gross here but less so than DC.)
And the real birthplace of the revolution is Boston
Can’t wait to take my kids there
do come!
And it’s also a particularly hot summer here with very little break. The worst I’ve seen in my 17 years here!
Oh good point….!
I loved reading your observations, thank you. They give a very different perspective on the US to that which we read about in the UK. I look forward to following your adventures.
Thanks!
Is this your first time?? It’s delightful to hear such nice things said about one’s country. Though I suspect some of the virtues you notice could be found in Italy or elsewhere. Welcome!!
No I have been to the states several times now but my first time moving here
Welcome to the USA! I'm a reader of your wife's lovely blog. Not far from you all - in Maryland, and spent a lot of time in Arlington area and esp. across the bridge when going to graduate school at Georgetown. DC is one of my all-time not favorite cities after living there for years, but you can't beat the free museums. If you ever drive north to Baltimore (my 'hometown' though we're way up north in the country) I have a lot of literary recommendations. For DC - Kramer books in Dupont used to be a good spot for lunch or a beer and a book browse, but I think it's pretty overpriced now. I'll be popping down to DC for a friend's baby's birthday in Waverly tomorrow -right by the National Zoo (also very amazing and very free!). You'll have fun exploring - Teddy Roosevelt Island, the canal path, all good things over there in Arlington/NW. I so much preferred living in England when I studied abroad and am always comparing UK culture to US culture and finding us lacking... but at the end of the day, I do think Americans are friendlier :) Also - check out the Library of Congress! So many free programs (my friend who is a librarian there always wants people to know there is a lot for kids too!).
(oh and life gets so much better in late September when the humidity officially lifts. Fall is absolutely beautiful here!)
Library of congress definitely high on my list!
One of those women you saw walking a dog in Arlington was probably kid sister.
Second Story Book’s is a terrific store. They have a second and larger location in Rockville, Maryland. Many of the Washington bookstores went bankrupt during covid. Politics and Prose is one of the few good bookstores left.
Yes! P&P is a hike but our best new bookstore with wide ranging selection, and knowledgeable, curious staff!
Quite possibly yes. I need to get out to Maryland once I can organise a car
As an American and former Arlingtonian, I remember moving to England 6 years ago and being impressed by all things British: the landscape, the history, the architecture, but most of all the kindness of the people.
Arlington is great, enjoy your time. I look forward to reading more about it.
Yeah I love England
Welcome to the States, Henry! I smiled the whole way through reading your early impressions and encounters in America. It’s so refreshing reading some nice things about Americans. We seem to be in a trend of being so negative about ourselves, at least that’s what I mostly see when I (rarely) look at the media. It’s so lovely to think maybe we Americans don’t suck as bad as we think we do. 😆
Sometime I really would like to meet in person. I’d love to hear more about the work you’ll be doing at GMU. Try and stay cool this weekend!
Welcome!
DC escalator etiquette: stand right, walk left.
You will find that people hold strong views on what is known here as “tip creep.”
As others have noted, P&P is a good bookstore; there’s a clear political POV, as is the case with many US bookstores. Something you’ll want to check out is the phenomenon of “Little Free Libraries.” These are cupboards-on-posts in front of houses, along the sidewalk, and they’re filled with books. You can take one (or a couple) and/or leave one you’ve finished. You can snag some great titles in the DC area—a lot of review copies and eclectic reading habits.
I have family in Alexandria so my partner and I visit often…it’s just fantastic…I am signing on early for All’s Well That Ends Well, September 18.
Haven’t made it there yet other than passing through but it looks lovey
This was so great to read because of the optimism and kindness that shines through.
I can relate to so many things, of course the enormous robin was a shocker, still call him the Robin XXL. The heat and humidity that completely deactivates you, everyone’s bubbling socialness etc.
I live a few blocks from you stayed in north Arlington, and the observations are spot on. Results may vary depending on the age group you’re interacting with.
Yes hoping to meet more people soon
Henry, my man, please help us hold the line against tipping when you buy something at a counter. This is recent; you are not expected to tip outside the traditional areas (being waited on at a restaurant, barber, etc.). Smash that no tip button with pride.
Oh don’t worry my British habits will die hard on this one
Welcome to Mason. Drop a note when settled. Would love to share w you the bigger Mason story and activity. Easy to find: google 'amarda shehu' -- when they give you an account, you just type name in Teams and can call anybody up.
Oh I will thank you :)
Also forget Whole Foods - head to Trader's Joes - I'd almost move back to America just to be able to shop at TJ's
A very good shop but it doesn’t live up to the hype imo
If you’re living in Arlington, I cannot recommend highly enough the Courthouse Farmers Market, the Westover Farmers Market, or the Falls Church Farmers Market. They run year round; they have excellent produce and meats and sometimes have better prices than the grocery. In the summer I buy 90% of my groceries there. In the winter it drops down of course, but our somewhat temperate climate allows for some fresh produce year round. If you care about organic, then I recommend Mom’s Organic Market. It’s not cheap, but it does have wonderful stuff and a strong community focus, too.
Oh nice thank you