A Slice of the Big Apple

New York is probably the most visited state in the US. It is one of the most interesting places that I've been to but probably the most expensive and most difficult to navigate too. New York wears many crowns - the land of job opportunities, the shopping haven, broadway shows, and more. Truly, it a feast for everyone.

I had a chance for two separate day trips to New York. From the Union Station in Washington, DC, I hopped on the Greyhound bus and enjoyed a scenic four-hour ride to NY. As someone who lived in Manila, this city is a little familiar - crowded, heavy traffic, and huge buildings.

First on my list was the Empire State Building. Standing at 1,454 feet with 102 stories, it is one of the tallest skyscrapers in the US. After some queue, security checks, and dizzy elevator rides, getting to the observation deck showed an overall site of the city.

My awkward empire state of mind.  

 The Ground Zero at the World Trade Center site includes an eight-acre memorial plaza for paying tribute to all the victims and survivors of the 9/11 bombing. The twin reflecting pool with a man-made fall is where the names of the 3,000 victims were engraved.

The Times Square in Midtown Manhattan is the most crowded place I've been to this year. It is approximately the most visited tourist spot in the world. It is the commercial intersection among the broadway shows, shopping centers, and public performances. The bright neon lights make it extra lively at night. It is true that New York is the city that never sleeps!

Transformers? Enchanted? Sex and the City? These are some of the popular movies that feature Brooklyn Bridge. What makes it more interesting is the fact that it is the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the US. Ever since its completion in 1883, it connects the districts of Manhattan and Brooklyn separated by the East River.

Getting around the Big Apple were attempts to the subways. In my experience, I understood why New York is a complete jungle. Its train system is the most difficult to navigate!

I got lost several times. Hopped on, hopped off. I went out of the station and walked without any idea of the street. A man even asked for my metro card so he could enter the subway. I bought a ticket for him instead.

The Union Station, a sweet success after braving the New York subway.

In the middle of the Manhattan streets on a red traffic light, I got the chance to capture a perfect scene. Life is beautiful and full of surprises, you only have to stop and look around. 

Washington DC in Bloom: Spring Experiences in DC

It was a rough start of the year after arriving in Washington DC in winter. While the snow was not that thick, the thin, cold air was as harsh as fire. In the month of April, spring is coming they say. While warmer weather was much anticipated, the temperature still fluctuated from chilly to warm.

They say 2018 is the slowest start of spring. Finally, it's here. Winter did not stop me from going out to explore this lovely place. Here are some activities that spring let me enjoy Washington DC. And as a forever budget traveler, most of these activities are free (except for the misconception about food trucks; they are expensive!).

• Stroll along Tidal Basin

Before World War II happened, Japan and the US had an amicable relationship. In fact, in 1912, Japan gave 3,000 cherry trees as gifts to Washington, DC to honor close and lasting relationships between them.

Today, the National Cherry Blossom Festival becomes a national springtime celebration. It features activities and events that promote creativity, culture, the beauty of nature, and community spirit. Events such as live performances, traditional dance performances, arts and crafts, and live bands are open to the public.

 

One of the most iconic scenes in the springtime along Tidal Basin features the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Renting a paddle boat looks fun but it comes with a price - at least $18 per hour for two people. It saves you from the crowd during the cherry blossom peak and a unique way to have an up-close view of the surrounding monuments.

Aside from the swan paddle boats that you can hop on to cruise the Tidal Basin, real swans also swim in the area.

• Visit the embassies during the International Embassies Open House

Washington, DC is a culturally diverse city - a melting pot of different nationalities and cultures. Every year, participating embassies located in Washington, D.C. open their doors to the public to showcase and celebrate the uniqueness of each country. This event is held every May as part of the month-long Passport DC celebration during the International Cultural Awareness month. 

Our first stop during the Around the World Embassy Tour was no other than my home country, the Philippines. They featured Filipino cuisines, beautiful islands, and live folk dance performances.

Selfie with an alpaca, the most common animals in Peru.

Estonian Embassy

 Irish girls performing traditional Irish dance at the Embassy of Ireland

Embassy of Latvia featuring traditional Latvian dance

• Walk aimlessly on the DC Streets

The beautiful neighborhood of Washington DC is surrounded by national monuments, museums, restaurants, bars, and vibrant houses. During the spring, you can see parents strolling with their toddlers on the streets. There are a lot of pedestrians and pavements that make strolling convenient and fun.

Spring forward! This photo was taken when the daylight savings time began in the US.

'A friend in need is a friend indeed!' While strolling along the National Mall, a friendly squirrel approached me and asked a share of my trail mix. Cuteness overload!

Colorful houses become more vibrant as trees bloom.

Promising musicians on the streets.

I never thought food trucks can be as expensive as $20 for 2 small tacos!

• Bike around the city

Capital Bikeshare is a great way to get around DC. It is a bicycle sharing system with more than 4,000 bicycles and 500 stations. It has a short-term pass for tourists or a membership pass for residents.

 

• Explore off-beaten paths

After months of hiatus during the winter, spend some time out once it's over. Springtime is a perfect breather from city life. Explore off-beaten paths such as gardens and zoos. The neighboring states, Virginia and Maryland, offer a lot of trails where you can reconnect with nature, workout, and have fun. 

 The off-beaten path might also be lying around your corner. This is a jogging trail at the research center where I spend most of my days this year. These lush greens were quick to grow in spring.

                                            

On our random fitness walk after lunch, we took an off-beaten path. It was a forest with a possibility of deer lurking around...

                                        

After a 10-minute forest walk, we found a dead end: a university golf course. 

Things To Do in Washington, DC for Free

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, the seat to US Federal Government where the three branches of government are centered: the Capitol, White House, and Supreme Court. International institutions like International Money Fund and World Bank and 177 foreign embassies are also situated here. It is known for diversity of people and one of the most visited cities in the world. 

My travel from the Philippines to US was exhausting. That 15-hour confinement inside the plane on a winter and re-routing to another country is not fun at all. JFK Airport shut down on the day I was supposed to land. Finally getting here is not the end of it all, though. The winter season can get really, really harsh. But it's a shame and waste of time to just stay inside and miss what DC has to offer.

Compared to most Asian countries, traveling to the US is generally expensive. The same perception for Americans who want to travel to Asia. Being the front yard of the United States, DC can be relatively cheap for tourists. In fact, it is also called the "Capital of Free" because of the numerous world-class activities it has to offer. Here are some things to do in Washington, DC for free that's great for every kind of traveler:

1. Strolling the DC streets

DC has a lot interesting scenes that can be found simply by walking in the streets. It has beautiful neighborhood that differs from one street to another. There are street arts, corridor of versatile, colorful houses, bar strips, streets known for vibrant music scene, community of good foods, and of course, the National Mall that's surrounded by Smithsonian museums.

DC streets are all Instagram-worthy! This DC street guide will help you find the streets based on your preference. Stroll and get lost. Rent a car/ride the Uber for convenience or take the friendly DC Metro for legit travel experience. 

2. Revisit the past and celebrate freedom at the National Mall Monuments.

Situated at the center of the National Mall are the iconic monuments - Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. They were built to revisit historical events that shaped the nation, honor the veterans, commemorate presidential legacies, and celebrate freedom and equality.  

  

3. Bring out your inner geek and curiosity at  the Smithsonian Museums.

Flanked around the National Mall are the Smithsonian Museums which the admissions are free. There are a total of 11 museums around the National Mall each of which showcases artifacts and exhibits on art, history and science. 

Since I only have Saturdays for museums (because I'm back to the 8-5 daily grind), there is still a long list of museums and galleries to visit. The National Air and Space Museum showcases history and science of spaceflight and aircraft used during the World Wars and space explorations. It is really cool and my favorite Smithsonian museum so far. 

4. Immerse yourself in millions of books at the Library of Congress.

Its grand facade speaks how huge the Library of Congress collection is. It houses more than 162 million items including books, photographs, maps, manuscripts, and audiovisual collection. This makes it the largest library in the whole world! LoC is the national library of the United States and the official library that serves the US Congress. 

 

You will never run out of attractions and activities in DC. A weekend trip will only show you a glimpse of what DC has to offer. For people who have been here for quite a while, DC can be a rat-race, fast-paced society; but the neighboring suburbs of Virginia and Maryland offer off-beaten paths and outdoor activities that serve as break from fast-paced city vibe.

I am still such a baby for exploring the DC area. I have enough time to do that, though. More travel stories soon!