I manage to avoid the wrath of the massive grey storm clouds looming over me all day.

I decide that a lap around the country wouldn’t be complete without a stop by the Capitol. I get a late start, after catching up on sleep, and then beeline 390 miles to Washington DC. The entire ride is under impressively saturated grey clouds, which thankfully decide to postpone exhausting themselves.

On my way into DC, I encouter an eight lane freeway completely backed up with traffic, something I haven’t experienced since departing LA.

I finally make my way into the Capitol and I’m immediately greeted by the Washington Monument.

The last time I was in Washington was on a sixth-grade field trip. My perspective is slightly different now and I look forward to exploring as an architect rather than a tween. I do a lap around the mall and the White House, which provides a good overview for seeing it in more detail later on foot.

My friends Beto and Robert generously gave me a gift certificate for a Marriott Hotel stay as a departing gift, which comes in very handy for staying within walking distance of the city center.

After I check in and shower, I head out to find dinner. My hotel is close to Chinatown and I’m quickly tempted by a window displaying roasted ducks and signage stating: “fresh noodle made on the spot.” There is a little woman in a big hat hand making noodles and a man tending to the dangling ducks. I head inside and I’m immediately ushered to a table. Based on the activity I witnessed in the window, I order the noodle soup with duck and a side seafood dumplings because I’m very hungry.

The noodles the woman in the big hat hand stretched where as fresh as udon gets and the roasted duck was rich and delicious. I realize that while the food I’ve had over the last week has been exceptional, its been pretty consistently American. The duck soup and tsingtao beer are welcome diversity and certainly remind me of the endless delectable Asian options in LA.

After I stuff myself, I decide to wander around the mall and visit the monuments. Viewing them at night is spectacular. Especially late on a Sunday evening when there are very few people around. The Lincoln Monument is definitely my favorite, but standing infront on the Vietnam Memorial in the dark, completely alone, is an experience I’ll never forget.