Put a lid on it

A display of coffee lids at the new food exhibition at the Smithsonian.

Julia Child in the house

Julia Child's kitchen preserved at the Smithsonian.

Word

Malcolm X quote in Barbara Kruger installation at the Corcoran.

Chinatown, DC style

I'm here in DC for a lifelong learning conference-- just a stone's throw from Chinatown. But this is a Chinatown unlike any other. You won't see noodle shops or dive restaurants or import stores. But you will find all the chains you've come to know and love--Chipotle, Dairy Queen, Ruby Tuesday. And, lest you forget where you are, each sign includes Chinese text.

Put Some Wallpaper on It

Our last hotel is trying to impersonate some of the rooms in the Vatican. They've omitted only two details: the ceiling lacks a creation/judgement/armageddon motif, and the toilet paper isn't embroidered. Otherwise, I give them eight out of ten.

How do they do it?

Tonight we ate at an Italian beer hall and I ended up leaving half of my food on the plate--to the incredible disappointment of our waiter. I have been known to eat a healthy amount, but the food volume here is killing me! How does one consume an antipasti, a primi of pasta, a secondi of protein, then dessert or coffee in one sitting? Granted, I realize the whole meal is intended to take hours, but I still don't get how the Italians can put so much food away, regardless of the time frame. The plate of gnocchi I was served tonight could have fed a large family, but it was intended to only provide the start of the meal for one person. How is it all possible? We spent our meal in awe of the massive appetites of our fellow diners. We are just not worthy..

Crowds in front of Trevi fountain