This is so strange to read because you live where I live! I started reading your substack when you lived across the pond and now suddenly you’re in my backyard, referencing streets and restaurants I personally know! It’s been really lovely seeing your enthusiasm about the DC metro area and has reminded me that this place isn’t so bad.
First time in the comments, which I'll see through despite only wanting to echo others' sentiments -- I'm really enjoying your impressions of my adopted city (I'm pretty sure your Uber to Primrose went by my house!) and more broadly of America and Americans. You should try to get over to the Folger Shakespeare Library if you haven't done so yet. Also, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (in Chinatown) is doing an adaptation of the Merry Wives about which I'm sure many of us would be curious. Oh, and the Maryland Rennaissance Festival (which is a bit of a medieval theme park, not the most literary of places) is ongoing until early October, if you want to see a somewhat niche slice of the population!
These musings are so delightful. You are taking me down memory lane, but with a twist: thirty-five years ago I came to DC right out of college, working on The Hill but living first in Alexandria and then in Arlington for a few years. I began law school at George Mason U which then housed their law school and library in a former department store building in Arlington. Last night I dream-remembered riding up and down the escalators to class (something we proudly laughed about ... Our tacky law school building had no beauty but a lot of charm.) I know that Arlington has exploded in population and development since 1990 and your tales are so interesting to read. I do remember the best Vietnamese food in the USA was available in several little shops near the Clarendon metro station. I wonder what that looks like now? Thanks for writing about your experience.
The Substack app isn't showing me the heart icon to tap, so I'll just say I like this post. These dispatches are super fun. And I just arrived in London today!
Rest and get dinner today, catch a train to Penzance on Saturday for a walking holiday of 7 days, to Falmouth. Here in London we will walk in the parks and choose a museum to see (a friend likes the Soane...?). Your last lovely London post mentions you can see the Roman wall somewhere in the city and I thought about investigating that. Sounds cool! I haven't looked it up yet - any clues you might share would be welcome. Thanks!
There is truly no greater blessing in life than the timely arrival of a skilled handyman.
Amen
Really loving this continuing series. You should move to another country more often.
Haha wel there are another 49 states
This is so strange to read because you live where I live! I started reading your substack when you lived across the pond and now suddenly you’re in my backyard, referencing streets and restaurants I personally know! It’s been really lovely seeing your enthusiasm about the DC metro area and has reminded me that this place isn’t so bad.
What a lovely sense of place, of being.
There’s a great used bookstore up near DuPont circle, but I haven’t been since before the pandemic.
Even in the U.S., where supposedly everyone learns it in elementary school--twice--people routinely misspell Virginia.
but it is so phonetic!
I absolutely love the UK and have spent lots of time there. But, I do have to say, America is what the UK should be...
yes... :/
First time in the comments, which I'll see through despite only wanting to echo others' sentiments -- I'm really enjoying your impressions of my adopted city (I'm pretty sure your Uber to Primrose went by my house!) and more broadly of America and Americans. You should try to get over to the Folger Shakespeare Library if you haven't done so yet. Also, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (in Chinatown) is doing an adaptation of the Merry Wives about which I'm sure many of us would be curious. Oh, and the Maryland Rennaissance Festival (which is a bit of a medieval theme park, not the most literary of places) is ongoing until early October, if you want to see a somewhat niche slice of the population!
Folger is high on my list! Thanks for the tip, I will try and get to that production
your pointing out all the things we take for granted
Glad you finally got some Melville. So cool you can take your family on this adventure.
more coming in the post too!
These musings are so delightful. You are taking me down memory lane, but with a twist: thirty-five years ago I came to DC right out of college, working on The Hill but living first in Alexandria and then in Arlington for a few years. I began law school at George Mason U which then housed their law school and library in a former department store building in Arlington. Last night I dream-remembered riding up and down the escalators to class (something we proudly laughed about ... Our tacky law school building had no beauty but a lot of charm.) I know that Arlington has exploded in population and development since 1990 and your tales are so interesting to read. I do remember the best Vietnamese food in the USA was available in several little shops near the Clarendon metro station. I wonder what that looks like now? Thanks for writing about your experience.
highly developed is what it looks like, but I shall go looking for vietnamese food
Enjoyed this very much
Mama Chang is great. Lots of fantastic Asian food in Fairfax. The best KBBQ spot in the region is there: Meokja Meokja.
Oh I must go!
The Substack app isn't showing me the heart icon to tap, so I'll just say I like this post. These dispatches are super fun. And I just arrived in London today!
Oh enjoy London!! What will you do there?
Rest and get dinner today, catch a train to Penzance on Saturday for a walking holiday of 7 days, to Falmouth. Here in London we will walk in the parks and choose a museum to see (a friend likes the Soane...?). Your last lovely London post mentions you can see the Roman wall somewhere in the city and I thought about investigating that. Sounds cool! I haven't looked it up yet - any clues you might share would be welcome. Thanks!
Near the Barbican for the wall. Soane is an excellent choice, one of the best.
Loving all this as someone who grew up in McLean and lived in Arlington and DC and recently moved to London! Excellent series
Thanks!
Follow up question - do you still need to be a paid subscriber for book club?
No everything is free